Family: Phenethylamine
Mescaline or 3,4,5-trimethoxyphenethylamine is a naturally occurring psychedelic alkaloid of the phenethylamine class, occuring naturally in the peyote cactus (Lophophora williamsii), the San Pedro cactus (Echinopsis pachanoi), and in the Peruvian torch (Echinopsis peru- viana), as well as in a number of other members of the Cactaceae plant family. It has been used for over 3000 years by Native Americans in Mexico, who ingest the peyote cactus. The other cacti have a long history of usage in various regions in South America.
Scientific studies have indicated the potential of mescaline for treating alcoholism and depression, however, due to its legal status, very few studies have been conducted since the 1970s. In his famous essay “The Doors of Perception,” Aldous Huxley speaks about his experience with mescaline, recalling the insights he experienced as ranging from “purely aesthetic” to “sacramental vision”.
Contemporary use is centered around spirituality, exploration, and self-development. When working with cactus, explorers make a tea or an extract to ingest orally. Rarely is the plant consumed as is (usually only with peyote).
Signs:
| Low Dose | Medium Dose | High Dose |
| dilated pupils, big smiles | very dilated pupils, sweat- ing, slight hyperthermia, in- ceased heart rate, vomiting | coordination and articula- tion problems |
Symptoms:
| Low Dose | Medium Dose | High Dose |
| altered thinking processes, altered sense of color, mild euphoria | “geometricization” of three- dimensional objects, mostly closed eye visuals, nausea, tachycardia/anxiety | complex fractals, kaleido- scopic distortions |
