Everything to Know About Using Mescaline
Mescaline, also known as 3,4,5-trimethoxyphenethylamine, is a naturally occurring hallucinogenic drug that has effects similar to psilocybin and LSD. It is found in certain cacti plants, such as peyote (Lophophora williamsii), San Pedro (Trichocereus pachanoi), and Peruvian Torch (Trichocereus peruvianus), native to the southwest US, Mexico, and South America. Native Americans have used mescaline in religious ceremonies and for medical purposes for thousands of years. Despite its illegal status in the US, peyote is recognized as a sacrament in the Native American Church and can be used in religious ceremonies under the 1994 American Indian Religious Freedom Act.
Recognizing Mescaline
Mescaline is a naturally occurring substance found in the fruit or button-shaped seeds of certain cacti plants, such as peyote, San Pedro, and Peruvian Torch. These buttons can be consumed by eating them dried, boiling them to make tea, or by drying and grinding them into a powder. The powder can also be put into capsules or smoked with tobacco. Mescaline has a bitter taste, so some may prefer to take it in capsule form to avoid the taste. Additionally, Mescaline can also be synthesized chemically, in which case it appears as a white crystalline substance known as Mescaline sulfate.
What Does Mescaline Do?
Mescaline is a hallucinogenic drug that works by stimulating serotonin and dopamine receptors in the central nervous system. This can affect mood, perception, muscle control, and body temperature. The effects of mescaline typically last for 10 to 12 hours. When used as a sacrament, the effects can last for two days. Mescaline is considered a psychedelic or hallucinogenic drug, and it can produce an altered state of consciousness that includes altered thinking and perception. People often report this state as enjoyable, euphoric, and dreamlike. Visual hallucinations are a common effect of mescaline use, and people may also experience distortions in their perception of time. Due to its low lipid solubility, mescaline has a low ability to cross the blood-brain barrier, which means it requires higher doses to produce similar effects as other hallucinogens.
What scientist Say
There is limited research on the effects of mescaline use. However, some studies have been conducted on its frequency of use, potential for overdose, and effects on mental health. These studies have yielded a few key findings:
Mescaline Poisoning is Rare
A study of the California Poison Control System database from 1997 to 2008 found that there were only 31 cases of mescaline poisoning during that time.
Mescaline Use is not Linked to Mental Health Issues
A study published in PLOS One found that there is no correlation between the use of psychedelic drugs, including mescaline and LSD, and mental health issues. In fact, the study found that the use of these substances may be associated with a lower risk of mood disorders, psychosis, anxiety disorders, and psychological distress.
Potential Medical Uses of Mescaline
Limited research has been conducted on the medical uses of mescaline. However, some studies suggest that the drug may have potential in treating alcoholism and depression, but further research is needed to confirm these findings.
Common Side Effects of Mescaline Use
According to one study, common side effects of taking mescaline include agitation, hallucinations, and rapid heart rate (tachycardia). Agitation can lead to panic and dangerous behavior, while hallucinations can cause confusion and distress. Tachycardia may cause anxiety, but it is not usually a severe physical consequence. Less common side effects include seizures, loss of consciousness, and vomiting.