Arecoline is primarily used in veterinary medicine as an anthelmintic to treat parasitic worm infections in animals. It is effective in expelling gastrointestinal parasites, particularly in livestock and pets. In research, arecoline is studied for its effects on the central nervous system, as it acts as a partial agonist of muscarinic acetylcholine receptors. This property makes it a subject of interest in neuroscience for understanding cognitive functions and potential therapeutic applications for neurodegenerative diseases. Additionally, arecoline has been explored in traditional medicine for its stimulant and psychoactive effects, though its use in humans is limited due to potential toxicity and side effects.