Chemical Properties
Crystalline solid; melts at 35°C (95°F); moderately soluble in water, dissolves readily inalcohol, benzene, and chloroform, slightlysoluble in ether; absorbs carbon dioxide fromair, forming carbonate.
Uses
Mescaline occurs in peyote cactus, Lophophora williamsii (Lemaire) Coulter, grown inMexico. It is used as a hallucinogen in NativeAmerican religious ceremonies. It is alsoused in medicine. It is a controlled substance(hallucinogen) and listed in the U.S. Code ofFederal Regulations (Title 21, Part 1308.11,1987).
Definition
mescaline: A powerful hallucinogeniccompound obtained from peyote– the flowering head of a type ofMexican cactus. Mescaline is a class Adrug in the UK. It can be detected bythe Mecke test.
General Description
Mescaline, 3,4,5-trimethoxyphenethylamine, is a muchstudiedhallucinogen with many complex effects on the CNS.It occurs in the peyote cactus. The oral dose required for itshallucinogenic effects is very high, as much as 500 mg of thesulfate salt. The low oral potency probably results fromfacile metabolism by MAO. α-Methylation increases CNSactivity. Synthetic -methyl–substituted relatives are morepotent.The drugs 2,5-dimethoxy-4-methylamphetamine(DOM), 3,4-methylenedioxyamphetamine (MDA), and 2,5-dimethyl-dicyanoquinonediimine (DMDA; ecstasy) are extremelypotent and are dangerous drugs of abuse.
Health Hazard
Mescaline is a psychedelic agent, causing hallucinations. It promotes psychosis inpredisposed individuals. The mechanism ofaction probably involves its function as serotonin 5-HT agonist (Nichols 1986). Toxicsymptoms include drowsiness, dilation ofpupil, hyperreflexia, and restlessness. Thesesymptoms progress with increasing doses,resulting in euphoria, distorted perceptions,and hallucinations. Such an illusion effectin humans may be manifested from intra muscular administration of about 150 mg ofmescaline. The toxicity of this alkaloid, isotherwise, moderate, rarely causing deathfrom overdose.
