Glutamate – the most abundant excitatory neurotransmitter in your brain plays a major role in shaping learning and memory.

Glutamate, also known as glutamic acid, is an amino acid and is a major excitatory neurotransmitter. Excitatory neurons release neurotransmitters that initiate an action potential into postsynaptic neurons. Glutamate originates from glucose and is found in the central nervous system (CNS) including the brain and spinal cord. Glutamate is thought to be an important component of long-term potentiation, which is the process of neuronal functioning that changes and regulates some types of learning and memory. Recent research shows that learning and memory formation can be improved by pharmaceuticals that assist in glutamate activity. Monosodium glutamate (MSG) which is often used as a food additive for flavoring, contains glutamate. Consuming foods containing large amounts of MSG may induce dizziness and numbness, while possibly inhibiting learning and memory. These symptoms are likely due to the overexciting of glutamate neurons with excessive amounts of glutamate (Ettinger, 2018). 

Glutamate can over-excite neurons until they commit suicide, in what is called excitotoxicity. This glutamate imbalance is thought to be involved in some degenerative brain diseases such as Alzheimer’s disease and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS or Lou Gehrig’s disease). Excessive brain glutamate levels may cause numerous symptoms, including hyperalgesia (pain amplification), anxiety, restlessness, and ADHD-like symptoms such as inability to focus. A glutamate deficiency in the brain is thought to cause symptoms such as insomnia, concentration problems, mental exhaustion and low energy (Role of GABA and Glutamate in Fibromyalgia and ME/CFS, 2022).

References:

Happiest Health. (2023, July 18). Glutamate: excitatory neurotransmitter of brain | Happiest Health. https://www.happiesthealth.com/articles/neurology/glutamate-neural-connections

Andistowe. (2023, April 12). What is Glutamate. Nourished Blessings. https://nourishedblessings.com/what-is-glutamate/

Ettinger, R. H. (2018). Psychology: The Science of Behavior (6th ed.). BVT Publishing.

Role of GABA and Glutamate in Fibromyalgia and ME/CFS. (2022, June 12). Verywell Health. Retrieved September 15, 2022, from https://www.verywellhealth.com/gaba-glutamate-fibromyalgia-chronic-fatigue-716010

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