Mescaline (3,4,5-trimethoxyphenethylamine) is a naturally occurring hallucinogenic drug that produces effects similar to psilocybin and LSD. The drug is found in certain cacti plants that are native to the southwest United States, Mexico, and South America and include the peyote cactus (Lophophora williamsii), the San Pedro cactus (Trichocereus pachanoi), and the Peruvian Torch cactus (Trichocereus peruvianus).
Native Americans have used mescaline for thousands of years in religious ceremonies and the treatment of various physical ailments. Evidence indicates the use of these cacti in cultural practices dates back at least 5,000 years.1 Although the use of mescaline products is illegal in the United States, peyote is recognized as a sacrament in the Native American Church of North America.
When peyote is used in religious ceremonies, it is exempt from its classification as a Schedule I controlled drug under the 1994 American Indian Religious Freedom Act (AIRFA).
Also Known As: Mescaline is also sometimes known as peyote, buttons, moon, and cactus.
What Does Mescaline Do?
Mescaline’s hallucinogenic effects are caused by the substance’s ability to stimulate serotonin and dopamine receptors in the central nervous systems (CNS).2 Serotonin affects mood, perception, muscle control, and body temperature.3 Dopamine plays a role in the brain’s motivation and reward system.
The effects of mescaline last for 10 to 12 hours, although the use of mescaline as a sacrament takes place over two days.4 As a hallucinogenic or psychedelic drug, mescaline induces an altered state of consciousness where people experience altered thinking and perception. People often describe this state as enjoyable, euphoric, and dreamlike.
Visual hallucinations are a common effect of mescaline use, and people often describe distortions in their experience of time.
Mescaline has a low ability to cross the blood-brain barrier due to its low lipid solubility. Because of this, it requires higher doses of mescaline to produce psychedelic effects similar to other hallucinogens.5
What the Experts Say
There is little research on mescaline use and its effects. But there have been some limited studies on its frequency of use, the potential for overdose, and effects on mental health. Research suggests a few key findings.
Mescaline Poisoning Is Rare
A study of the California Poison Control System database for the years 1997 to 2008 showed that during that time there were only 31 cases of mescaline poisoning.6
Mescaline Use Is Not Linked to Mental Health Issues
A study published in PLOS One found that not only was there no link between the use of psychedelic drugs (which included LCD and mescaline) and mental health problems. In fact, the study found that the use of these substances was actually linked to a lower risk of mood disorders, psychosis, anxiety disorders, and psychological distress.7
Recreational Use Tends to Be Uncommon
Although peyote can be used by Native Americans legally for ceremonial purposes, a small proportion uses the substance recreationally. While the research available is not extensive, in one study of 89 Native American adolescents, only 10 (11.2%) reported the illicit use of peyote. Most of them said they had only used illicit peyote once or twice in their lifetime.8
Those who had used illicit peyote were more likely to report low levels of social support, low levels of self-esteem, and low identification with Native American culture, although they had similar levels of involvement in Native American traditional practices as those who did not use illicit mescaline.
Other Uses for Mescaline
There has been limited research on mescaline’s potential medical uses. Some speculation suggests that the drug may have been used in the treatment of alcoholism and depression, but more research is needed.
Common Mescaline Side Effects
According to one study, commonly reported effects of taking mescaline include the following:
Agitation
Agitation—an emotional state of nervousness or nervous excitement—can occur out of nowhere when people take mescaline. It can also result from excessive worrying about other symptoms such as whether hallucinations are real or perceived heart problems.
Agitation can quickly turn to panic for people who have taken hallucinogens, which can lead to dangerous agitated behavior such as running off into unsafe environments like city streets with traffic, or rural areas with environmental hazards such as heights, swamps, etc.
Hallucinations
People who use mescaline may see or hear things that are not there or have no actual basis in reality.6 Although hallucinations are an expected or even desired effect of hallucinogenic drugs, sometimes people find them much more troubling or frightening than expected. Although they typically know hallucinations that occur in a mescaline intoxicated state are not real, they can cause a lot of confusion and distress.
Tachycardia
Tachycardia, or rapid heart rate is defined as a heart rate of over 100 beats per minute (bpm).6 While there may not be severe physical consequences of tachycardia, a fast heart rate can sometimes create anxiety, which can further speed up heart rate. People can feel panicky, particularly if they are worried that using the drug is causing heart problems.
Less common effects included seizures, loss of consciousness, and vomiting.
While these more serious effects aren’t common, it is important for people to be aware that taking these substances do carry these risks.
Signs of Mescaline Use
Some possible signs that someone might be using mescaline include:9
Changes in mood
Difficulty sleeping
Flushed skin
Hallucinations
Headaches
Increased energy levels
Lack of appetite
Nausea or vomiting
Poor coordination
Presence of drug paraphernalia
Myths & Common Questions
Mescaline is sometimes confused with the Mexican alcoholic beverage mezcal, which, despite drug folklore, is made from agave (not cactus) and does not contain mescaline. The worm that is sometimes found in a bottle of mezcal does not, as often purported, induce a mescaline high because it does not contain the drug either.
Although mescaline is not particularly well-known as a street drug, it holds a special place in drug culture, particularly among people who use psychedelic drugs who may believe that, like magic mushrooms and marijuana, psychedelic cacti are sacred plants and should be revered due to their origination in nature.
Tolerance, Dependence, and Withdrawal
There is no current research suggesting that mescaline use leads to physical dependence, psychological dependence, or addiction. Tolerance does take place, however, and tends to occur quite rapidly. Tolerance means that people need to take more of the drug in order to achieve the same effects.
With repeated use, tolerance can occur in as little as three to six days. Cross-tolerance with other drugs such as LSD and psilocybin may also be possible.
How Long Does Mescaline Stay in Your System?
The amount of time mescaline stays in the system depends on factors such as an individual’s metabolism, hydration levels, body mass, and overall health. Mescaline can be detected in urine for between two to three days but can be detected by hair follicle tests for up to 90 days.10
What to Know About Mescaline Use
Addiction
Mescaline does not appear to be addictive, although further research is needed to determine if addiction is possible. That said, any substance that distorts a person’s perceptions of reality is potentially harmful, as they can more easily misinterpret reality, or have accidents. In terms of toxicity, however, evidence may point to mescaline carrying a lower risk than many other recreational drugs.
Just because mescaline is “natural” does not mean that it is safe to use. According to the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) mescaline presents too great a risk of physical and/or psychological abuse for it to be available for purchase or prescription.11
Withdrawal
Quitting mescaline does not lead to physical symptoms of withdrawal, but people may experience psychological symptoms that lead them to seek out the drug. People sometimes utilize substances such as mescaline to self-medicate, to avoid life’s problems, or to cope with stress. Giving up mescaline use may require addressing underlying psychological issues first.