Muscimol and Ibotenic Acid are dissociatives and selective agonists for the GABAA receptor set, unlike Psilocybin, which is a psychedelic and an agonist for the 5-HT2A receptor set. Muscimol is the product of the decarboxylation or drying of ibotenic acid and it is thought that muscimol significantly more potent as ibotenic acid.
Muscimol is a GABAA agonist which binds the GABAA receptor complex, as opposed to other GABAergic drugs such as barbiturates and benzodiazepines which bind to separate regulatory sites. When administered, it alters neuronal activity in multiple regions including the cerebral cortex, hippocampus, and cerebellum.
Muscarine is a non-selective agonist of the muscarinic acetylcholine receptor. It crosses the Blood Brain Barrier. Muscarine mimics the function of the natural neurotransmitter acetylcholine in the muscarinic part of the cholinergic nervous system. Muscarine is not metabolised by acetylcholinesterase.