I'm trying to learn more about how neurotransmitters work. I see that nicotine (from
wikipedia):
acts on the nicotinic acetylcholine receptors, specifically the ganglion type nicotinic receptor and one CNS type nicotinic receptor. ... By binding to ganglion type nicotinic receptors the adrenal medulla nicotine increases flow of adrenaline (epinephrine), a stimulating hormone. ... The release of adrenaline causes an increase in heart rate, blood pressure and respiration, as well as higher blood glucose levels. ... In high doses, nicotine will cause a blocking of the nicotinic acetylcholine receptor, which is the reason for its toxicity and its effectiveness as an insecticide.
...
By binding to CNS type nicotinic receptors, nicotine increases dopamine levels in the reward circuits of the brain. In this way, it activates the reward system and generates feelings of pleasure.
From the article on
choline,
Choline supplements are often taken as a form of 'smart drug' or nootropic, due to the role that the neurotransmitter acetylcholine plays in various cognition systems within the brain. Choline is a chemical precursor or "building block" needed to produce the neurotransmitter acetylcholine, and research suggests that memory, intelligence and mood are mediated at least in part by acetylcholine metabolism in the brain.
So, if I understand correctly, choline is used to build acetylcholine which binds to the same acetylcholine receptors as nicotine. Does increased acetylcholine also result in epinephrine and dopamine increase? It doesn't seem to have the same stimulation of pleasure that nicotine is reported as having.
Stephen