La N-Acetylcysteine is important for so many reasons: on the one hand certainly as a mucolytic, on the other hand it has a great many other effects including primarily a keratoreregulatory effect since it goes to reorganize keratin and especially its tertiary structure that allows it to reorganize three-dimensionally in space. Important element since there are a number of frequent and very visible clinical situations in which there is a disorganization, or anarchy, of keratin especially on the lengths of the hair. Sometimes this is caused by physicochemical aggression of the hair: for example, heavy use of hair straighteners, improper use of hair dryers or even incongruous cosmetic treatments performed on the lengths. In these cases, hair tends to stiffen and break because the keratin is completely disorganized. N-Acetylcysteine restores proper three-dimensional keratin architecture, and this allows the hair to return to a condition of normal physicochemical and mechanical strength, as well as regain a better appearance.

Another very important effect generated by N-Acetylcysteine goes to affect the Central Nervous System: This is proven by numerous scientific studies that claim that N-Acetylcysteine is primarily a precursor of glutathione, as previously stated, that is, a substance capable of passing the blood-brain barrier and then arriving at the level of certain structures of the Central Nervous System where it is converted first to Cysteine and then to Cystine. The latter in turn goes on to act on certain structures and astrocytes that are in the vicinity of the Nucleus Accumbens, a brain region that plays an important role in some cognitive processes such as motivation, reward, or addiction, and determines a glutamate-modulator such that it activates gabaergic pathways: this sounds like a complicated discussion, but in summary it is intended to state that N-Acetylcysteine induces neuromediators at the level of the central nervous system that go to stabilize mood. This effect that N-Acetylcysteine has on mood is also realized through the fact that glutathione facilitates the release of dopamine, which goes to act as a stabilizer.

In addition, it should not be forgotten that N-Acetylcysteine is also a powerful antioxidant, and the combination of these factors can make us define N-Acetylcysteine as a kind of natural psychopharmaceutical, with few side effects, disguised as a mucolytic. A somewhat colorful definition, but one that gives an idea of the versatility of this substance: these are not claims born “lightly,” for there is scientific literature demonstrating the use of N-Acetylcysteine in the treatment of Trichotillomania, Dermatillomania, and in obsessive compulsive psychosis. Obviously for these treatments the dosage is much higher than that used for the mucolytic.