As with the heart, nitric oxide in the brain can be a double-edged sword — sometimes beneficial and at other times quite harmful.

Because it is a gas, nitric oxide can easily diffuse among neurons and glia. It can easily enter these cells and even their nuclei.

When it is in proper concentration, nitric oxide plays a major role in brain plasticity (including repair, memory, and learning), regulates neurotransmitter function, and regulates cell proliferation — all of which are critical for the brain’s ability to function dynamically.

More so than other organs, the brain has to be able to adapt rapidly to a great number of conditions and stressors, and nitric oxide plays a vital role in this ability.

Yet like the heart, the brain must have normal levels of antioxidant defenses (antioxidant network), especially glutathione, to prevent nitric oxide from being harmful.

The same advice for increasing cellular glutathione applies to the nervous system — that is, increasing intake of flavonoids, antioxidant vitamins, and NAC affords a great deal of protection.