Mescaline

Mescaline' (3,4,5-trimethoxyphenethylamine) is a chemical substance. It occurs naturally in some cactuses, like the Peyote cactus, the Peruvian Torch cactus or the San Pedro cactus. Small amounts of it can also be found in certain members of the Fabaceae (bean) family, like Acacia berlandieri.

A Peyote cactus

The chemical can cause hallucinations. In has been used as a drug in Native American religious ceremonies. It is illegal in many countries. Some people use it as an illegal drug.

Mescaline is used primarily as a recreational drug and is also used to supplement various types of meditation and psychedelic therapy. It is classified as a schedule I drug in the U.S., making it illegal in all forms; however, it remains legal in certain religious ceremonies registered by the Native American Church. Schedule I drugs have a high potential for abuse, no currently accepted medical use in treatment in the United States, and a lack of accepted safety for use under medical supervision.

Use and effects

• visual hallucinations and radically altered states of consciousness (psychedelic experience)
• open and closed eye visualizations
• euphoria
• dream-like state
• slowed passage of time
• laughter
• a mixing of senses (synesthesia, such as "seeing a sound" or "hearing colors")
• pupil dilation

Side effects or risks

• anxiety, fear
• racing heart beat (tachycardia)
• dizziness
• weakness
• diarrhea
• excessive sweating
• tremors
• nausea, vomiting
• headache
• accidental injury
• psychosis, panic or paranoia
• seizures
• amnesia (loss of memory)
• post hallucinogen perceptual disorder (flashbacks)
• rarely, suicidal thoughts or actions

Use in Pregnancy

According to the National Institute of Drug Abuse (NIDA), researchers have found that mescaline found in peyote may affect the fetus of a pregnant woman using the drug.