Final answer:
An antidepressant that Nic is taking may slow the release of acetylcholine, a critical neurotransmitter in the CNS and PNS, or inhibit its degradation to adjust brain chemistry for mood regulation.
Step-by-step explanation:
Nic is taking an antidepressant that slows down the process of acetylcholine release. This neurotransmitter is essential for various functions in both the central and peripheral nervous systems. To address an imbalance of neurotransmitters associated with mood disorders, certain antidepressants aim to adjust the levels of these chemicals in the brain.
Medications like selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) are commonly prescribed antidepressants that prevent the reuptake of serotonin, providing more time for this neurotransmitter to interact with receptors. Similarly, drugs used for Alzheimer's patients inhibit acetylcholinesterase, the enzyme that degrades acetylcholine, resulting in increased neurotransmission. By inhibiting the breakdown or reuptake of neurotransmitters like acetylcholine or serotonin, antidepressants can increase the availability of these neurotransmitters in the synaptic cleft.