Disclaimer: Mescaline is classified as a Schedule I substance. This means that it is an illegal drug with high potential for harm and no known medical uses. We highly advise against the use of mescaline until future studies determine its safety and efficacy in medically-supervised and safe settings. The only aim of this post is to outline research findings.

What is Mescaline?

Definition

Mescaline is a hallucinogenic compound most notably found in the peyote cactus (Lophophora williamsii). It is also found in varying degrees in many other members of the cactus family [R].

It is an alkaloid in the phenethylamine class of compounds, which includes other hallucinogens as well as various stimulants, decongestants, and antidepressants. Research suggests that mescaline alters consciousness similarly to the psychedelics psilocybin (from “magic mushrooms”) and LSD [R, R].

The “Mescaline Cactus”

Mescaline is found in high levels in the peyote cactus and acts as the major active compound. It is concentrated in the small, circular above ground stem tops called “buttons.” Mescaline content in the dried buttons ranges from 2.8% to 3.5% [R, R, R].

Peyote also contains other psychoactive alkaloids that may intensify the effects of mescaline [R].

History and Legal Status

Indigenous Use

According to some researchers, mescaline is one of the oldest known hallucinogens used by humans [R].

One estimate suggests that Native Americans in Mexico used peyote as far back as 5,700 years ago. Allegedly, they considered it to be a divine substance with healing properties [R, R, R].

Indigenous peoples of South America have reportedly used mescaline-containing cacti such as the San Pedro (Echinopsis pachanoi) and Peruvian torch (Echinopsis peruviana) in folk medicine and religious ceremonies for thousands of years [R, R, R].

Scientific Boom

Scientific interest in peyote took off at the end of the 19th century after American newspaper reports of the ritualistic use of peyote by Native American tribes. The search was on to reveal the compound(s) responsible for peyote’s psychedelic

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