What is "gelsemine"

Gelsemine \Gel"se*mine\, n. (Chem.) An alkaloid obtained from the yellow jasmine ( Gelsemium sempervirens), as a bitter white semicrystalline substance; -- called also gelsemia.

Gelsemine (CHNO) 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.