Gelsemine (GM)

Gelsemine (C20H22N2O2) is an alkaloid that comes from the flowering plant, Gelsemium sempervirens, and is a highly toxic compound that acts as a paralytic and often results in death. It acts as an agonist for the glycine receptor with a significantly higher binding affinity than glycine. Recent pharmacological research has suggested that this compound can be effective in the treatment of anxiety and other conditions, and is searching for a safe way to utilize these beneficial effects. Gelsemine is an agonist for the glycine receptor (GlyR) with a much larger affinity for the receptor than glycine. When glycine receptors are activated, chloride ions enter the neuron causing an inhibitory postsynaptic potential, which causes muscle relaxation. At lower doses this inhibition can cause nausea, diarrhea and muscle spasms caused by the loss of control of involuntary muscle control. Higher doses cause vision impairment or blindness, paralysis, and death.