This is an unofficial archive of PsychonautWiki as of 2025-08-11T15:14:44Z. Content on this page may be outdated, incomplete, or inaccurate. Please refer to the original page for the most up-to-date information.
[[File:Flowering San Pedro cactus.jpg|270px|thumbnail|right|Flowering San Pedro, an entheogenic cactus that has been used for over 3,000 years<ref>http://www.mescaline.com/sanpedro/</ref>]]
[[File:Flowering San Pedro cactus.jpg|270px|thumbnail|right|Flowering San Pedro, an entheogenic cactus that has been used for over 3,000 years<ref>http://www.mescaline.com/sanpedro/</ref>]]
* ''[[Lophophora diffusa (botany)|Lophophora diffusa]]'' Hordenine 0.5% of total alkaloid, N-Methyltyramine 0.1% of total alkaloid, Mescaline (trace) <ref name="cactuschemistry"/>
* ''[[Lophophora diffusa (botany)|Lophophora diffusa]]'' Hordenine 0.5% of total alkaloid, N-Methyltyramine 0.1% of total alkaloid, Mescaline (trace) <ref name="cactuschemistry" />
*'''Brazil:''' Possession, production and sale is illegal as it is listed on Portaria SVS/MS nº 344.<ref>http://portal.anvisa.gov.br/documents/10181/3115436/%281%29RDC_130_2016_.pdf/fc7ea407-3ff5-4fc1-bcfe-2f37504d28b7</ref>
*'''Brazil:''' Possession, production and sale is illegal as it is listed on Portaria SVS/MS nº 344.<ref>http://portal.anvisa.gov.br/documents/10181/3115436/%281%29RDC_130_2016_.pdf/fc7ea407-3ff5-4fc1-bcfe-2f37504d28b7</ref>
*'''Canada:''' Mescaline is classified as a Schedule III drug under the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act. Peyote is listed as an exemption.<ref>http://laws-lois.justice.gc.ca/Search/Search.aspx?txtS3archA11=mescaline&txtT1tl3=%22Controlled+Drugs+and+Substances+Act%22&h1ts0n1y=0&ddC0nt3ntTyp3=Acts.</ref> Other mescaline containing plants are presumably illegal to possess outside of ornamental and gardening purposes.
*'''Canada:''' Mescaline is classified as a Schedule III drug under the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act. Peyote is listed as an exemption.<ref>http://laws-lois.justice.gc.ca/Search/Search.aspx?txtS3archA11=mescaline&txtT1tl3=%22Controlled+Drugs+and+Substances+Act%22&h1ts0n1y=0&ddC0nt3ntTyp3=Acts.</ref> Other mescaline containing plants are presumably illegal to possess outside of ornamental and gardening purposes.
*'''Germany:''' Mescaline in its raw form and dried mescaline-containing cacti are considered an illegal drug. However, anyone may grow and use peyote without restriction, as it is specifically exempt from legislation.{{citation needed}}
*'''Germany:''' Mescaline is controlled under BtMG Anlage I, making it illegal to manufacture, import, possess, sell, or transfer it without a license. Plants containing mescaline are legal as long as they are not intended for human consumption. <ref>https://dejure.org/gesetze/BtMG/Anlage_I.html</ref>
*'''Netherlands:''' Mescaline in its raw form and dried mescaline-containing cacti are considered an illegal drug. However, anyone may grow and use peyote without restriction as it is specifically exempt from legislation.{{citation needed}}
*'''Netherlands:''' Mescaline in its raw form and dried mescaline-containing cacti are considered an illegal drug. However, anyone may grow and use peyote without restriction as it is specifically exempt from legislation.{{citation needed}}
*'''United Kingdom:''' Mescaline in purified powder form is a Class A drug. However, dried cactus can be bought and sold legally.<ref>http://www.erowid.org/plants/cacti/cacti_law2.shtml</ref>
*'''United Kingdom:''' Mescaline in purified powder form is a Class A drug. However, dried cactus can be bought and sold legally.<ref>http://www.erowid.org/plants/cacti/cacti_law2.shtml</ref>
WARNING: Always start with lower doses due to differences between individual body weight, tolerance, metabolism, and personal sensitivity. See responsible use section.
DISCLAIMER: PW's dosage information is gathered from users and resources for educational purposes only. It is not a recommendation and should be verified with other sources for accuracy.
3,4,5-Trimethoxyphenethylamine (also known as mescaline) is a naturally-occurringpsychedelic substance of the phenethylamine class.[1] Mescaline is one of the oldest known hallucinogens and the prototypical member of the psychedelic phenethylamines, one of the two major classes of psychedelics.
Mescaline occurs naturally in the peyote cactus (Lophophora williamsii),[2] and it is produced in a number of other cacti species such as the Echinopsis pachanoi (San Pedro cactus),[3]Echinopsis peruviana (Peruvian Torch) as well as the Cactaceae plant and the Fabaceae bean family.[4] It was first isolated and identified in 1897 by the German chemist Arthur Heffter[5] and first synthesized in 1919 by Ernst Späth.[6]
Mescaline is both an important part of the life's work of Alexander Shulgin, a psychedelic chemist and researcher. It is a member of the so-called "magical half-dozen" which refers to Shulgin's self-rated most important phenethylamine compounds with psychedelic activity, all of which except mescaline he developed and synthesized himself. They are found within the first book of PiHKAL, and are as follows: Mescaline, DOM, 2C-B, 2C-E, 2C-T-2 and 2C-T-7.[7]
Unlike most highly prohibited substances, mescaline is not considered to be addictive by the scientific community.[8] Nevertheless, unpredictable adverse reactions such as anxiety, paranoia, delusions and psychosis can still always occur, particularly among those predisposed to psychiatric disorders.[9] It is highly advised to use harm reduction practices if using this substance.
As a result, it may contain incomplete or wrong information. You can help by expanding it.
The ritual use of the Peyote cactus has occurred for at least 5700 years by Native Americans in Mexico. Upon early contact, Europeans noted the use of Peyote in Native American religious ceremonies. Additionally, alternative mescaline-containing cacti such as the San Pedro have a long history of use in the South American continent, spanning from Peru to Ecuador.[10]
The principal psychoactive component in both Peyote and San Pedro, mescaline, was first isolated and identified in 1897 by the German chemist Arthur Heffter[11] and first synthesized in 1919 by Ernst Späth.[12]
In traditional peyote preparations, the top of the cactus is cut at ground level, leaving the large tap roots to grow new 'heads'. These 'heads' are then dried to make disc-shaped buttons and the buttons are chewed to produce the effects or soaked in water to drink. In modern times, users will often grind it into a powder and pour it into gel capsules to avoid having to come into contact with the bitter taste of the cactus. The usual human dose is 200–400 milligrams of mescaline sulfate or 178–356 milligrams of mescaline hydrochloride.[13] The average 76 mm (3.0 in.) button contains about 25 mg mescaline.[14]
Chemistry
Mescaline, or 3,4,5-trimethoxyphenethylamine, is a substituted phenethylamine featuring a phenyl ring bound to an amino -NH2 group through an ethyl chain. Mescaline contains three methoxy functional groups CH3O- which are attached to carbons R3, R4, and R5 of the phenyl ring.
Mescaline acts similarly to other psychedelic agents.[15] It binds to and activates the serotonin 5-HT2A receptor with a high affinity.[16] How activating the 5-HT2A receptor leads to psychedelia is still unknown, but it likely somehow involves excitation of neurons in the prefrontal cortex.[17] Mescaline is also known to bind to and activate the serotonin 5-HT2C receptor.[18]
Subjective effects
Disclaimer: The effects listed below cite the Subjective Effect Index (SEI), an open research literature based on anecdotal user reports and the personal analyses of PsychonautWikicontributors. As a result, they should be viewed with a healthy degree of skepticism.
It is also worth noting that these effects will not necessarily occur in a predictable or reliable manner, although higher doses are more liable to induce the full spectrum of effects. Likewise, adverse effects become increasingly likely with higher doses and may include addiction, severe injury, or death ☠.
Physical effects
Stimulation - Mescaline is usually considered to be very energetic and stimulating without being forced. For example, when taken in any environment it will usually encourage physical activities such as running, walking, climbing or dancing. In comparison, other more commonly used psychedelics such as psilocin are generally sedating and relaxed.
Spontaneous bodily sensations - The "body high" of mescaline can be described as proportionally intense in comparison to its accompanying visual and cognitive effects. It is manifested in a number of forms including an intense soft, warm glow that grows over the body and is capable of becoming extremely physically euphoric. This is most similar to MDMA and psilocin and is consistently manifested throughout the experience. This is contrasted by an intensely pleasurable yet sharp, cold electric tingling sensation which moves up and down the body. This is most similar to LSD and is also consistently manifested throughout the experience. The final physical effect noticed throughout the experience is an intense energetic pins and needles sensation that manifests itself in the form of a continuously shifting and tingling sensation that travels up and down the body in spontaneous waves. This is most similar to 2C-B and is not entirely consistent throughout the experience.
Physical euphoria - Relative to other psychedelics, mescaline has been noted for the bodily or physically euphoric aspect that is vaguely reminiscent of other phenethylamines like MDA.
Nausea - Nausea is commonly reported when consumed in moderate to high doses and either passes instantly once the user has vomited or gradually fades by itself as the peak sets in.
Increased salivation - This effect, while uncommon, seems to be less pronounced than it is with psilocin and other tryptamines and usually does not persist throughout the experience.
Tactile enhancement - Feelings of enhanced tactile sensations are consistently present at moderate levels. If Level 8A geometry is reached, an intense sensation of suddenly becoming aware of and being able to feel every single nerve ending across a person's entire body all at once is consistently present.
Seizure - A rarely observed effect but is thought to be able to happen in those predisposed to them, especially while in physically taxing conditions such as being dehydrated, fatigued, undernourished, or overheated.[citation needed]
Drifting(melting, flowing, breathing and morphing) - In comparison to other psychedelics, this effect can be described as highly detailed, slow and smooth in motion, static in appearance and realistic in style.
The visual geometry encountered on mescaline can be described as similar in appearance to that of ayahuasca, 2C-P or psilocin in the sense that its geometry is structured in its organization as well as natural and organic in style. However, in terms of its bright colors, sharp edges and angular corners, it is more similar to that of LSD, 2C-B and 2C-I.
Level 8B - While the geometry produced by mescaline has yet to be fully characterized, the geometry gives off certain attributes which are significantly more likely to result in states of level 8A visual geometry over level 8B at higher doses.
Hallucinatory states
Mescaline is capable of producing a full range of high-level hallucinatory states in a fashion that is more consistent and reproducible than that of many other commonly used psychedelics.
Internal hallucination (autonomous entities; settings, sceneries, and landscapes; perspective hallucinations and scenarios and plots) - In comparison to other psychedelics such as LSD, mescaline produces a high level of hallucinations embedded within visual geometry. This particular effect commonly contains hallucinations with scenarios, settings, concepts and autonomous entity contact. They are more common within dark environments and can be described as lucid in believability, interactive in style and almost exclusively of a personal, religious, spiritual, science-fiction, fantasy, surreal, nonsensical or transcendental nature in their overall theme.
In comparison to other psychedelics such as psilocin, LSA and ayahuasca, mescaline is significantly more stimulating and fast-paced in terms of the specific style of thought stream produced and contains a large number of potential effects.
Focus enhancement - This effect is experienced exclusively on low or threshold dosages and feels less forced or sharp than it does with traditional stimulants.
Ego death - This component is less consistent and obtainable when compared to other more common psychedelics such as psilocin or LSD. In mescaline's case this effect is highly dose dependent and is also fairly contingent upon the individual's set and setting.
Synaesthesia - In its fullest manifestation, this is a very rare and non-reproducible effect. Increasing the dosage can increase the likelihood of this occurring, but seems to only be a prominent part of the experience among those who are already predisposed to synaesthetic states.
Existential self-realization - This effect is typically more prevalent in high doses, but can also occur at common doses as well. For a number of users this effect is less repeatable than it is with traditional tryptamines such as psilocin.
The toxicity and long-term health effects of recreational mescaline use does not appear to have been studied in any scientific context and the exact toxic dose is unknown. However, there are no known fatal overdoses within the scientific literature.
Anecdotal reports suggest that there are no negative health effects attributed to simply trying mescaline by itself at low to moderate doses and using it very sparingly (but nothing can be completely guaranteed).
Independent research should always be done to ensure that a combination of two or more substances is safe before consumption.
Mescaline is not habit-forming and the desire to use it can actually decrease with use. It is most often self-regulating.
Tolerance to the effects of mescaline are built almost immediately after ingestion. After that, it takes about 3 days for the tolerance to be reduced to half and 7 days to be back at baseline (in the absence of further consumption). Mescaline presents cross-tolerance with [[Cross-tolerance::all psychedelics]], meaning that after the consumption of mescaline all psychedelics will have a reduced effect.[32]
Dangerous interactions
Warning:Many psychoactive substances that are reasonably safe to use on their own can suddenly become dangerous and even life-threatening when combined with certain other substances. The following list provides some known dangerous interactions (although it is not guaranteed to include all of them).
Always conduct independent research (e.g. Google, DuckDuckGo, PubMed) to ensure that a combination of two or more substances is safe to consume. Some of the listed interactions have been sourced from TripSit.
DOx
25x-NBOMe
2C-x
2C-T-x
5-MeO-xxT- The 5-MeO class of tryptamines can be unpredictable in their interactions
Cannabis- Cannabis has an unexpectedly strong and somewhat unpredictable synergy with psychedelics.
Amphetamines- The focus and anxiety caused by stimulants is magnified by psychedelics and results in an increased risk of thought loops
Cocaine- The focus and anxiety caused by stimulants is magnified by psychedelics and results in an increased risk of thought loops
MAOIs
Tramadol- This combination can cause seizures due to the lowering of the threshold by Tramadol and the potential of Mescaline to cause seziures.
Australia: Peyote cacti and other mescaline-containing plants, such as San Pedro, are illegal in Western Australia, Queensland, and the Northern Territory. In other states such as Victoria and New South Wales, they are legal for ornamental and gardening purposes.[citation needed]
Brazil: Possession, production and sale is illegal as it is listed on Portaria SVS/MS nº 344.[33]
Canada: Mescaline is classified as a Schedule III drug under the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act. Peyote is listed as an exemption.[34] Other mescaline containing plants are presumably illegal to possess outside of ornamental and gardening purposes.
Germany: Mescaline is controlled under BtMG Anlage I, making it illegal to manufacture, import, possess, sell, or transfer it without a license. Plants containing mescaline are legal as long as they are not intended for human consumption. [35]
Netherlands: Mescaline in its raw form and dried mescaline-containing cacti are considered an illegal drug. However, anyone may grow and use peyote without restriction as it is specifically exempt from legislation.[citation needed]
United Kingdom: Mescaline in purified powder form is a Class A drug. However, dried cactus can be bought and sold legally.[36]
United States: Mescaline was made illegal in 1970 by the Comprehensive Drug Abuse Prevention and Control Act.[37] The drug was prohibited internationally by the 1971 Convention on Psychotropic Substances and is categorized as a Schedule I hallucinogen by the CSA. Mescaline is legal only for certain religious groups (such as the Native American Church) and in scientific and medical research. While mescaline containing cacti of the genus Echinopsis are technically controlled substances under the Controlled Substances Act, they are commonly sold publicly as ornamental plants.
↑Strassman, R. J. (1984). Adverse reactions to psychedelic drugs. A review of the literature. The Journal of Nervous and Mental Disease, 172(10), 577-595. PMID: 6384428
↑AJ Giannini, AE Slaby, MC Giannini (1982). Handbook of Overdose and Detoxification Emergencies. New Hyde Park, NY.: Medical Examination Publishing Company. ISBN 978-0-87488-182-0
