Muscimol: Difference between revisions
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LD50 rats: 4.5 mg/kg i.v, 45 mg/kg orally |
LD50 rats: 4.5 mg/kg i.v, 45 mg/kg orally |
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== Effects == |
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The effects of muscimol are substantially different from psilocibin, as the chemicals target seperate parts of the brain. Muscimol has been shown to lack "structured" hallucinations in most cases, and the effects are frequently compared to a [[Lucid_dreaming|lucid dream]] state. |
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[[Synesthesia]] and increased [[salivation]] are also common. |
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== See also == |
== See also == |
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Revision as of 07:37, 26 November 2006
| Muscimol | |
| Chemical name | 5-(Aminomethyl)-3(2H)-isoxazolone |
| Chemical formula | C4H6N2O2 |
| Molecular mass | 114.10 g/mol |
| Melting Point | 184-185°C |
| Solubility | Very soluble in water or methanol,
slightly soluble in 100% ethanol |
| CAS number | 18174-72-6 |
| SMILES | NCc1cc(O)no1 |
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Muscimol (agarin, pantherine) is the major psychoactive alkaloid present in many mushrooms of the Amanita genus. Unlike psilocybin, a tryptamine, muscimol is a potent, selective agonist for one of the brain's primary neurotransmitters (GABAA).
Chemistry
Muscimol is the product of the decarboxylation or drying of ibotenic acid.
Biology
Muscimol is produced naturally in the mushrooms Amanita muscaria, Amanita pantherina, and Amanita gemmata, along with muscarine, muscazone, and ibotenic acid. It is thought that, in A. muscaria, the layer just below the skin of the cap contains the highest amount of muscimol, and is therefore the most psychoactive portion.
Pharmacology
Muscimol is a potent GABAA agonist, which is a receptor for the brain's major inhibitory neurotransmitter, GABA. The primary use for muscimol has become lab research, as the chemical essentially "turns off" part of the brain. When muscimol is administered, it has been shown active in the cerebral cortex, hippocampus, and cerebellum.
When used in vivo, muscimol will pass through the human body, and be excreted in the subject's urine.
The psychoactive dose of muscimol is 15-20mg.
Toxicity
LD50 mice: 3.8 mg/kg s.c, 2.5 mg/kg i.p.
LD50 rats: 4.5 mg/kg i.v, 45 mg/kg orally
Effects
The effects of muscimol are substantially different from psilocibin, as the chemicals target seperate parts of the brain. Muscimol has been shown to lack "structured" hallucinations in most cases, and the effects are frequently compared to a lucid dream state.
Synesthesia and increased salivation are also common.
See also
External links
References
- Merck Index, 12th Edition
- Ito Y, Segawa K, Fukuda H. 1995 "Functional diversity of GABAA receptor ligand-gated chloride channels in rat synaptoneurosomes" Synapse 19(3):188-96.
- Rätsch, Christian. (1998). The Encyclopedia of Psychoactive Plants. Rochester, VT: Park Street Press.