Comprehensive Guide to Muscimol: What is it, uses and effect

Welcome to our comprehensive guide to Muscimol. Muscimol is a psychoactive substance found in the Amanita muscaria mushroom. This guide will provide an in-depth look at Muscimol’s various uses and effects on the body. We will also discuss the history of Muscimol, its legal status, and other important information regarding its use. Whether you are a beginner or an experienced user, this guide will provide you with all the information you need about Muscimol. 

What is muscimol?

muscimol chemical structure
Muscimol chemical structure

Muscimol is a psychoactive compound primarily found in Amanita muscaria mushrooms, also known as fly agaric mushrooms. It is classified as an isoxazole and is considered a GABA agonist. Muscimol has been isolated from Amanita muscaria and related mushroom species. It is known for its hallucinogenic properties derived from its primary psychoactive constituents, ibotenic acid and muscimol. ( 1 )

Technical Data for Muscimol

Chemical name5-Aminomethyl-3-hydroxyisoxazole
M. Wt114.1
FormulaC4H6N2O2
StorageStore at RT
Purity≥98%
CAS Number2763-96-4
PubChem ID4266
InChI KeyZJQHPWUVQPJPQT-UHFFFAOYSA-N
SmilesNCC1=CC(O)=NO1

The data provided is only for reference.

Price for Muscimol

1mg/$50

10mg/$180

Muscimol appearance

White powder

Solubility of muscimol

Max Conc. mg/mL:11.41

What is muscimol used for?

Muscimol is a ligand often used to study and explore GABA receptors. It has been a major part of the development and research of medications related to GABA, including nipecotic acid, tiagabine, 4,5,6,7-tetrahydroisoxazolo (5,4-c) pyridin-3-ol (commonly referred to as Gaboxadol®) and 4-PIOL. ( 2 )

Muscimol is also used for medical purposes when prescribed by a healthcare professional. Its most common use is in treating anxiety disorders and other mental health issues such as obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD).

In addition, some researchers have studied its potential in treating epilepsy and certain neurological conditions such as Tourette’s Syndrome and Huntington’s disease. 

What are muscimol benefits?

One of the significant advantages of muscimol is that it has minimal side effects compared to other anti-anxiety medications. This makes it an ideal choice for those who need help managing their symptoms without worrying about long-term health issues or addiction risks. Muscimol works quickly and effectively, reducing symptoms within a few hours or days of use.

Another benefit of using muscimol to treat stress and anxiety is its ability to improve mood and reduce tension. Studies have shown that this compound helps reduce depression, fatigue, insomnia, panic attacks, irritability, and other emotional states related to stress and anxiety. In addition, muscimol has been reported to increase creativity by positively stimulating the central nervous system (CNS). 

What are the side effects of muscimol?

Muscimol is a psychoactive fine chemical found in certain mushrooms but can also be synthesized in a laboratory. While it has some therapeutic uses, muscimol can also have negative side effects.

Common side effects include nausea, stomach discomfort, increased salivation, and muscle twitching or tremors. Nausea is the most common side effect, ranging from mild to moderate in severity. Stomach discomfort may follow shortly after taking the drug, with symptoms such as bloating, cramping, or general unease. Increased salivation may also occur due to overstimulation of the saliva glands. ( 3 )

Lastly, muscimol may cause twitches and muscle tremors throughout the body, which could last for several hours or even days, depending on how much was taken. 

Where to buy muscimol?

It is important to note that muscimol is a controlled substance in many countries and purchasing it may be illegal or require special permits. As such, it is not typically available for purchase through standard retail channels.

However, some specialty stores or online vendors may sell products derived from Amanita muscaria or other mushrooms that contain muscimol. It is recommended to thoroughly research potential sources and consult with a healthcare professional before consuming any muscimol products.

Frequently asked questions

muscimolo
muscimol

Muscimol vs Psilocybe

Muscimol and psilocybin are both psychoactive compounds from mushrooms but have different effects. According to, the effects of muscimol and psilocybin are very different. Muscimol is a potent, particular activator of GABAA receptors that can cause sedative and hypnotic effects, depression and hallucinatory experiences.

On the other hand, psilocybin and psilocin produce yawning, inability to concentrate, restlessness, increased heart rate, and hallucinations (visual and auditory). Structurally, muscimol is very different from psilocybin and psilocin. The latter are psychedelic tryptamines that act on the serotonin receptors. Amanita muscaria does not contain psilocybin or psilocin; rather, it contains muscimol and ibotenic acid.

Muscimol vs Ibotenic acid

Ibotenic acid and muscimol are two psychoactive compounds found in mushrooms. Ibotenic acid acts as a potent agonist of the NMDA and group I (mGluR1 and mGluR5) and II (mGluR2 and mGluR3) metabotropic glutamate receptors, while muscimol works as a GABA agonist with inhibitory effects. ( 4 ) Ibotenic acid resembles the major stimulatory brain neurotransmitter glutamic acid (glutamate), while muscimol resembles the major inhibitory neurotransmitter. ( 5 )

Regarding their effects, ibotenic acid can have excitatory effects, while muscimol has sedative effects that can cause delirium. Overdose of these mushrooms can lead to dry mouth, dilated pupils, tachycardia, agitation, delirium, and seizures.

How long does muscimol last?

The onset of symptoms after significant exposure to muscimol is rapid, occurring between 0.5 to 1.5 hours. ( 6 ) Symptoms from eating hallucinogenic mushrooms containing muscimol appear 30 to 90 minutes after ingestion and are most intense after two or three hours. ( 7 ) The duration of clinical manifestations after Amanita muscaria ingestion does not usually exceed 24 hours. However, there is no specific information on how long the effects of muscimol last.

What does muscimol do to your brain?

Muscimol works by activating GABA receptors in the brain, allowing nerve cells to fire more slowly and efficiently. This decreases excitatory signals in the brain, which leads to a calming effect. In addition, muscimol can increase dopamine levels and inhibit serotonin neurotransmission, further contributing to its calming properties. Long-term use of muscimol can lead to serious health issues, so it should only be used under medical supervision.

What is the recommended dosage for muscimol?

The recommended dosage for muscimol is around 10-15 mg for an average person. ( 8 ) However, the minimum dose to produce psychoactive effects is 6-10 mg of muscimol. Only 53 mg of muscimol is sufficient to have psychoactive effects when ingested, while a dose of 93 mg produces strong inebriation. ( 9 ) It is important to take care with dosage as a single mushroom can contain varying amounts of muscimol and ibotenic acid. The oral LD50 in mice is 22 mg/kg for muscimol and 38 mg/kg for ibotenic acid. ( 10 )

Is muscimol a hallucinogen?

Yes, muscimol is a hallucinogen. It is one of the principal psychoactive constituents of Amanita muscaria and related species of mushrooms, and it displays sedative-hypnotic, depressant, and hallucinogenic psychoactivity. It has been proposed for recreational use and has been popularized since the 1960s.

Is muscimol legal?

Muscimol is a psychoactive drug found in some species of mushrooms. Some cultures have traditionally used it for spiritual, medical and recreational purposes. However, its legal status varies widely between countries. The drug is unregulated but legally available in many countries with certain restrictions. In others, it is classified as an illegal substance. 

In the United States, muscimol is a Schedule I drug under the Controlled Substances Act. This means it is illegal to manufacture or possess it without a prescription from a doctor. The U.S. also restricts importing and exporting this drug from or to other countries. 

Is muscimol addictive?

Muscimol is not known to be addictive or dependence-forming. In contrast to benzodiazepines and barbiturates, muscimol does not induce addiction due to its different functions influencing the GABA in synaptic transmission. The activation of GABA-A receptors by muscimol triggers a long-lasting depression of glutamatergic synaptic transmission in the NAc of adolescent brains. 

Conclusion

In conclusion, muscimol is a naturally occurring psychoactive substance found in certain mushrooms and has a variety of uses and effects. It can be used as a sedative, a painkiller, and an anti-anxiety and anti-depressant. Additionally, it may also have potential medical applications. However, due to its potency, muscimol should only be used with caution and under the supervision of a qualified medical professional.

Maria Zhang

Maria Zhang

Maria Zhang, an experienced chemical industrial expert with more than 10 years of experience. She has worked with a range of industries, from large-scale manufacturing and research to smaller-scale projects. With her expertise, you can learn differently chemical knowledge!

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