There is a wide variety of substances in nature with different psychoactive effects. Some of them have mainly activating effects, others are depressing and others are characterized by hallucinations and perceptive alterations. Many of these substances have been used since ancient times, sometimes for religious purposes.

In other cases, the active ingredients of the plants or elements containing them have been extracted for research or medicinal use. And in some cases, they are used for recreational purposes. One of the most well-known hallucinogenic drugs after amphetamines is mescaline .

Hallucinogens

Hallucinogens are a type of substance classified within the group of psychodisleptics. They are drugs that generate an alteration in the functioning of the nervous system, and their effect on the perception of the user is well known .

These effects are based on perceptual alteration, not necessarily in the form of hallucination, along with activation or inhibition of activity that can generate changes in mood. Most people who turn to hallucinogens do so in search of mystical or religious experiences, and although they produce dependence they are not as commonly used as other types of drugs.

Their consumption is not innocuous, and can cause different types of problems such as intoxications that can endanger the person who has consumed them, different physiological effects, psychotic episodes, depersonalization, mood disorders caused by substances and even personality changes. Also frequent is the presence of “bad trips”, aversive hallucinatory experiences lived with a high level of panic and anguish.

There are numerous types of hallucinogens, many of them (and especially the best known) synthesized chemically. However, some of these substances are made from naturally occurring plants; this is the case with mescaline.

Mescaline: description of the substance

Mescaline is a psychotomimetic hallucinogen . It is an alkaloid phenylalkylamine extracted mainly from two types of cactus, mescal and the better known peyote, although there are other varieties of cactus such as the San Pedro that also contain it.

Initially, it generates a feeling of euphoria and then it goes into a sedation phase . The consumption of mescaline causes perceptive alterations among which it is worth highlighting that a vision in which the colour of objects is perceived with more intensity and brightness. They also tend to see geometric patterns.

It is also common to see an increase in artistic sensitivity and the perception of both visual and sound art (which is why several artists have used it occasionally). Likewise, tends to generate situations of deep introspection and reflection on one’s life and existence.

Visions and hallucinations of a variable nature may occur. The presence of hallucinations usually requires high doses. Sometimes there may be depersonalization and loss of the sense of space-time

The effects tend to appear around the average to three-quarters of an hour, and can last from eight to twelve hours. However, in some cases, up to 24 hours have been recorded. Compared to LSD, mescaline has been described as much less potent and with less psychedelic effect.

Action on the brain: mechanism of action

The mechanism of action of mescaline is based on its binding to adrenergic receptors, especially serotonin, of which it is an agonist. Specifically, there are several types of these receptors that participate in the generation of hallucinations, resulting in the 5-HT2C and 5-HT2A receptors being closely linked to this type of symptoms .

It has also been observed that this substance causes the glutamate in the brain, as well as sodium, not to oxidize.

In the case of mescaline, it has been observed that especially the hypothalamus, an important brain nucleus in which the integration of different information takes place and coordinates the relationship between the neuroendocrine system and the limbic system . It affects the regulation of the autonomic nervous system, the perception and management of mood and behaviour.

Uses for this substance

Used since ancient times with religious and spiritual motifs by South American and Central American indigenous tribes (peyote was already used by the Aztecs in religious rituals), it has also been the subject of scientific research regarding the exploration of the psyche, self-awareness and perceptual phenomena. It is now often used for recreational purposes.

However, this type of substance is complicated and expensive to isolate, so you have to take into account that the version that is often sold illegally in a large number of cases is found to be adulterated or another substance is sold directly as such (usually LSD).

Side effects and health risks

Mescaline, like other hallucinogenic substances, can cause side effects of varying severity. The most common are nausea and vomiting.

In cases of intoxication it is common to present lack of coordination, blurred vision, hyperthermia , increased cardiorespiratory rate and tachycardia, decreased sensitivity and pupil dilation. It is also common for alterations to appear in spatial-temporal perception, hallucinations and feelings of unrealisation.

In cases of bad travel, fear, panic and distress are common. You can also quickly go from dread to euphoria, hyperactivity and aggression. Flashbacks and psychotic episodes may appear . No cases of abstinence have been recorded, but tolerance and psychic dependence (although not physical) are generated.

Bibliographic references:

  • Bussmann RW, Sharon D (2006). “Traditional medicinal plant use in Northern Peru: tracking two thousand years of healing culture”. J Ethnobiol Ethnomed. 2(1): 47.
  • Neff, N. & Rossi, G.V. (1963). Mescaline. Am. J. Pharm. Sci. Support Public Health, 135: 319-327.
  • Otero, L.A. (2001). Editorial Paidotribo.