Going without the drug for any period of time results in painful, distressing physical and psychological symptoms, which, if left uncontrolled, can compel the person to resume the substance abuse. Mescaline is thought of as one of the milder hallucinogens; it is as much as 3,000 times less potent than LSD and about 30 times less potent than a similar naturally occurring psychedelic like psilocybin.3 Despite its lower potency, using mescaline does result in hallucinogenic effects. Like most psychedelic hallucinogens, mescaline is not physically addictive; however, it can cause tolerance meaning higher doses are need to achieve the same hallucinogenic effect. Mescaline-containing cacti can induce severe vomiting and nausea, which is an important part to traditional Native-American or Shaman ceremonies and is considered a cleansing ritual and a spiritual aid. People who seek mescaline from illicit sources may accidentally encounter a potentially toxic synthetic.
Mescaline is a naturally occurring psychoactive phenethylamine found inseveral cacti and historically used ceremonially by Indigenous and LatinAmerican populations. Broader recognition of its possible therapeutic valuein Western science began in the 1950s; however, knowledge of the safetyprofile of mescaline and the extent of its use remains limited. The primaryaim of this study is to examine the epidemiology of mescaline use amongEnglish-speaking adults. Beyond cognitive effects, imperceptible doses of mescaline have also been shown to act as anti-inflammatory agents. A 2008 study concluded that mescaline had “extraordinarily potent” anti-inflammatory effects, and a 2018 study found that psychedelics in general help regulate inflammatory pathways, which could prove therapeutic for a number of diseases, including asthma, atherosclerosis, inflammatory bowel disease, and retinal disease. Mescaline, naturally occurring alkaloid, the active principle contained in the flowering heads of the peyote cactus (species Lophophora williamsii) of Mexico and the southwestern United States, that has been used as a drug to induce hallucination.
Additionally, a largerproportion of respondents in the Peyote subgroup (32%) reported a total durationof the experience less than 7 h compared to those in the San Pedro subgroup.There was also a smaller proportion of respondents in the Peyote subgroup (18%)who reported using mescaline indoors compared to all other subgroups. Likewise, largerproportions of respondents in the San Pedro (27%) and Peyote (31%) subgroupsreported that their mescaline was administered by a shamanic practitionercompared to those in the synthetic or extracted subgroups. One side-effect of the drug war is a tendency for underground supplies to be contaminated with more dangerous drugs, such as fentanyl. In recent years, fentanyl and other toxic mescaline-based synthetics called NBOMEs (N-Benzylphenethylamine) have resulted in accidental overdoses. These synthetics share the same classification of drugs called phenethylamines, which may produce similar effects as mescaline, but carry a significantly higher risk of fatality. While these are rare events, they could be non-existent — if people had easy access to drug testing kits to verify the content of their substances.
Peyote Addiction Treatment Levels of Care
Mescaline, like other classic psychedelic compounds, exerts itspharmacological action primarily at 5-HT1A, 5-HT2A, andalpha-2 adrenergic receptors (Ray, 2010; Rickliet al., 2015), although the primary sensory and cognitive effects resultfrom modulation of serotonergic 5-HT2A receptors (Carstairs and Cantrell, 2010; Nichols, 2016). Mescalineexhibits very low binding affinity at dopaminergic and histaminergic receptors anddoes not inhibit uptake at monoamine transporters (Rickli et al., 2016). The 3,4,5-trimethoxyconfiguration of mescaline appears central to its psychedelic activity (Smythies et al.,1967). A double-blinded, randomized, and placebo-controlled study compares the subjective and autonomic effects of both psychedelics. In modern times, self-experimenters around the world are reporting a much wider range of benefits, including personal insights, mood enhancement, increased empathy and creativity, lifestyle changes, and even lucid dreams. Due to its status as an internationally controlled substance, research into the harm potential of mescaline—especially long-term—has been limited.
In poetic correspondence between the two men, Osmond coined the term “psychedelic” in 1957 when he wrote “to fathom hell or soar angelic, just take a pinch of psychedelic”. The pharmacology of mescaline has been assessed in animal models (Bevan et al., 1974; Darvesh and Gudelsky,2003; Kyzar et al.,2012; Nichols,2004), and the subjective effects have been reported in numerous casestudies (Frederking,1955; Halpern,1961; Klüver,1926; Osmond andSmythies, 1952). In whatever form it is consumed, a mescaline experience is highly hallucinogenic and lends itself to self-exploration. Many people report that it also creates a uniquely empathic effect in the user, making it useful for personal healing.
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From the earliest recorded time, peyote has been used by natives in northern Mexico and the southwestern United States, where it grows, as a part of traditional religious rites. It has an effect that is similar to LSD or psilocybin (magic mushrooms) and other hallucinogenic drugs. As shown in Table 3,there were several differences across the four mescaline subgroups, whereinthose in the Peyote subgroup reported consuming more doses (2.9) in their mostmemorable experience compared to all other subgroups.
Results from this study also showed no significant differences in the subjectiveacute and enduring effects between mescaline types. Although this may indicaterelatively minimal or no differences in the acute and enduring effects of differenttypes of mescaline, rigorous controlled studies could reveal potential differencesbetween them. While all groups exhibited broad similarities, the Peyote subgroupreported consuming more doses compared to other groups. This might be due to thebitter taste of Peyote, which is known to induce nausea and vomiting (Erowid, 2009; Nolte and Zumwalt, 1999).It is possible that participants in the Peyote subgroup experienced emesis that canhave warranted repeated dosing to obtain desired subjective effects.
Do you have more questions about mescaline and its effects now that you know what it is? The tradition of ingesting it started in the ancient Aztec culture and spread up to Native American cultures in North America. New Zealand drug community and harm reduction website TripMe has a small group who discuss mescaline online, but posts are infrequent, and the most recent appears to be from early 2013. Psychedelic Spotlight is your reliable source for the latest stories in the emerging psychedelics industry, covering breakthrough discoveries, investor news and cultural reform. When taking mescaline, it’s advised that you remove hazards, including sharp objects and things you might trip over. It’s also wise to ensure easy access to drinking water, as well as a toilet or bucket in case of purging.
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It retains its legendarystatus in psychedelic culture thanks to TheDoors of Perception and Fear andLoathing in Las Vegas, in which Hunter S. Thompson portrayed it as the ne plus ultra of psychedelic craziness. While mescaline use is not condoned under any circumstance, if someone does use the drug it is advised they do so with a trusted person, in a comfortable and familiar location, and with a positive mental state. If your use of mescaline is affecting your health, family, relationships, work, school, financial or other life situations, or you’re concerned about someone else, you can find help and support. Always consult your healthcare provider to ensure the information displayed on this page applies to your personal circumstances. If you take prescription medications, there are no well-controlled studies to determine the overall effect of drug interactions. Keep in mind that these compounds have a different molecular weight, meaning the dosage will be different between the two.
Mescaline has also been shown to help people solve problems, access their creativity, be more environmentally conscious, and improve learning. In its original use, the plant medicine was also used to treat a number of ailments, including snake bites, wounds, skin conditions, and general pain. Mescaline is a substituted phenethylamine, a molecule based on the basic phenethylamine structure. Along with MDMA, 2C-B, and others, this sets it apart from the tryptamine class of psychedelics, which includes psilocybin, LSD, and DMT. This psychedelic guide was originally written by Third Wave, a platform that inspires cultural awakening through personal transformation. It is stillsupplied by pharmaceutical companies such as Merck and Sigma-Aldrich but istightly controlled, its uses largely limited to forensic analysis and criminal toxicology.It can occasionally be found for sale on the markets of the dark web, alongwith every other designer psychedelic imaginable.
Long-term effects
In one mid-century study, some of the most significant transformations or breakthroughs came about months after the experience itself, even if the initial psychedelic therapy session seemed to be a failure. In the context of psychotherapy, mescaline may also be useful for re-living or recalling repressed memories. Edmund has an extensive background in addiction research and medical writing, working collaboratively with doctors, substance use disorder specialists, and clinical experts across all content on Recovered. The effects of taking mescaline with other drugs – including over-the-counter or prescribed medications — can be predictable and dangerous.
Examples include scalines like escaline, 3Cs like 3,4,5-trimethoxyamphetamine (TMA or TMA-1), 2Cs like 2C-B, and DOx drugs like DOM, among others. The natural form of mescaline is chewed or made into tea, while the synthetic drug can be taken in powder or pill form. Most cacti sold by garden centres are quite small, and they’re not terribly fast growing.
Potential Risks
Tyrosine and phenylalanine serve as metabolic precursors towards the synthesis of mescaline. Tyrosine can either undergo a decarboxylation via tyrosine decarboxylase to generate tyramine and subsequently undergo an oxidation at carbon 3 by a monophenol hydroxylase or first be hydroxylated by tyrosine hydroxylase to form L-DOPA and decarboxylated by DOPA decarboxylase. These mesclun drugs create dopamine, which then experiences methylation by a catechol-O-methyltransferase (COMT) by an S-adenosyl methionine (SAM)-dependent mechanism.
- Pure mescaline is usually available as a white or brownish crystalline powder, either loose or packed into capsules as a pill.
- As peyote, mescaline has long been used in traditional ceremonial contexts to treat alcoholism.
- It retains its legendarystatus in psychedelic culture thanks to TheDoors of Perception and Fear andLoathing in Las Vegas, in which Hunter S. Thompson portrayed it as the ne plus ultra of psychedelic craziness.
- Mescaline is also known for fostering compassion and gratitude, while also alleviating psychological disorders such as anxiety, depression, PTSD and addiction.
In experiments mescaline requires 2 to 3 hours for onset of action, and its effects sometimes last for more than 12 hours. The hallucinatory effects vary greatly among individuals and even for a particular individual from one drug session to the next. The variations seem to reflect such factors as the mood and personality of the subject and the setting in which the drug is administered. Mescaline is prepared from the peyote cactus by extraction and purification, but it can be synthesized. Microdosing is most often attributed to James Fadiman, author of The Psychedelic Explorer’s Guide. However, Fadiman was initially informed about the process by Robert Forte, a psychedelic researcher and former Director of The Hoffman Foundation.
Additionally, definitivesafety profiles that include the assessments of vital signs, blood pressure, andelectrocardiography (ECG) need to be established in laboratory studies of mescalineadministration. The intensity of acute subjective mescaline effects was examined across thesample and within each mescaline subgroup. There were no significant differences inthe ratings of the intensity of these acute subjective effects as a function ofa mescaline subgroup.
Psilocybin for Depression: What to Know
After 1962, when the Federal Drug Administration tightenedits guidelines on psychedelic research, there were few plausible reasons forworking with mescaline and LSD came to dominate what was by now a shrinkingfield. Both were prohibited fornon-clinical use in 1965, after which LSD was cheap and ubiquitous, whilemescaline became a substance of legend and rumor. Mescaline is a potent hallucinogen found in the peyote cactus that causes visions and other sensory apparitions that aren’t real. Read here to find out more about mescaline highs or «trips» and the effects of peyote on the brain. Mescaline is taken in a variety of ways spending on what form of the drug is being used.
Polydrug use can involve both illicit drugs and legal substances, such as alcohol and medications. The hallucinogenic experience typically begins in 60 minutes after consumption and lasts about 8 to 12 hours. However, different doses can affect people in various ways, and doses extracted from plants can vary widely.
Research on Therapeutic Use
The effects of peyote can start to be felt between 20 to 90 minutes after ingestion and can last for up to 12 hours.2,4 Ingesting peyote is known as a “trip,” and the overall experience can be highly unpredictable. The length of time mescaline takes to kick in and how long the psychedelic high from the drug lasts can vary from person to person, as can the detection rate of the substance. If someone is taking synthetic mescaline produced in a lab then it will most commonly come in the form of a pill that is swallowed.