Ibotenic acid

Ibotenic acid is a naturally occurring chemical found mainly in certain mushrooms, such as Amanita muscaria. It acts as a neurotoxin and a psychoactive compound, affecting the brain by stimulating glutamate receptors, specifically the NMDA and metabotropic receptors. This stimulation can lead to altered perception, hallucinations, and other neurological effects. In scientific research, ibotenic acid is used to create targeted brain lesions or as a tool to study neural pathways. When consumed, it can be converted into muscimol, a compound responsible for the mushroom's sedative and psychoactive effects.