Used primarily as a key intermediate in the synthesis of pharmaceuticals, particularly in the production of centrally acting muscle relaxants. It serves as a structural analog to gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA), enabling it to interact with GABA receptors in the nervous system. This property makes it valuable in developing drugs that modulate neurotransmission, especially for treating spasticity and muscle-related disorders. Its rigid cyclohexane backbone enhances selectivity and binding affinity in target molecules, improving the efficacy of active pharmaceutical ingredients. Also employed in the development of novel neuroactive compounds and receptor probes in medicinal chemistry research.