WAY-310379 is primarily used in scientific research to study the sigma-1 receptor, a protein involved in neuropsychiatric and neurodegenerative conditions. It acts as a selective agonist for this receptor, making it a valuable tool for investigating cellular responses related to neuroprotection, pain modulation, and cognitive function. Researchers use WAY-310379 to explore potential therapeutic pathways in models of depression, anxiety, and neuropathic pain. Due to its high selectivity, it helps isolate sigma-1 receptor activity from other receptor systems, improving the accuracy of pharmacological studies. It is not used clinically and remains restricted to laboratory and experimental settings.