Mescaline Myths, Effects, Risks, and How to Get Help

Mescaline Myths, Effects, Risks, and How to Get Help Addiction Drug Use Hallucinogens Print What to Know About Mescaline Use By Elizabeth Hartney, BSc., MSc., MA, PhD Elizabeth Hartney, BSc, MSc, MA, PhD is a psychologist, professor, and Director of the Centre for Health Leadership and Research at Royal Roads University, Canada. Learn about our editorial policy Elizabeth Hartney, BSc., MSc., MA, PhD Medically reviewed by Medically reviewed by Steven Gans, MD on August 10, 2019 Steven Gans, MD is board-certified in psychiatry and is an active supervisor, teacher, and mentor at Massachusetts General Hospital. Learn about our Medical Review Board Steven Gans, MD on August 10, 2019 GummyBone / Getty Images More in Addiction Drug Use Hallucinogens Cocaine Heroin Marijuana Meth Ecstasy/MDMA Opioids Prescription Medications Alcohol Use Addictive Behaviors Nicotine Use Coping and Recovery In This Article Table of Contents Expand Common Side Effects Signs of Use Myths & Common Questions Tolerance & Dependence How to Get Help View All Back To Top Mescaline, also known as  3,4,5-trimethoxyphenethylamine, is a hallucinogenic drug that occurs naturally in certain cacti plants native to the southwest United States, Mexico, and South America. These plants include the peyote cactus (Lophophora williamsii), the San Pedro cactus (Trichocereus pachanoi), and the Peruvian Torch cactus (Trichocereus peruvianus). Mescaline has been used by Native Americans for thousands of years in religious ceremonies and for the treatment of various physical ailments. 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. Drug Class: Mescaline is classified as a hallucinogen. Common Side Effects: People who take mescaline may experience unpleasant side effects including anxiety, rapid heartbeat, tremors, hallucinations, and psychosis. How to Recognize Mescaline When naturally-derived, mescaline is found in the fruit or button-shaped seeds that grow on the outside of the cactus, which are cut off and dried and then eaten or sliced, boiled, and drunk as a tea. These buttons can also be dried and ground into an off-white powder put into pill capsules or smoked with tobacco.Mescaline can also be produced through chemical synthesis. Mescaline sulfate is the pure form of the drug and appears as a white crystalline material. What Does Mescaline Do? The effects of mescaline last for 10 to 12 hours, although the use of mescaline as a sacrament takes place over two days. 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 dream-like.   Visual hallucinations are a common effect of mescaline use, and people often describe distortions in their experience of time.   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 that: 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.?? 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.Mescaline poisoning is rare. Another 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.Mescaline use is not linked to mental health issues. A study published in PLOS One found th at 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.?? Other Uses There has been limited research on mescalines potential medical uses. Some speculation suggests that the drug may have used in the treatment of alcoholism and depression, but more research is needed. Common Side Effects According to one study, commonly reported effects of taking mescaline included: Hallucinations, or seeing or hearing things that are not there or have no actual basis in reality. Although hallucinations are an expected  or even desired effect of hallucinogenic drugs, sometimes users find them much more troubling or frightening than expected, and, although users typically know hallucinations that occur in a mescaline intoxicated state are not real, they can cause a lot of confusion and distress.Tachycardia, or rapid heart rate. This was defined as a heart rate of over 100 beats per minute (bpm). While there may not be severe physical consequences of tachycardia for mescaline users, a fast heart rate can sometimes create anxiety in users, which can further speed up heart rate. Users can feel panicky, particularly if they are worried that using the drug is causing heart problems.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 and 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. Less common effects included seizures, loss of consciousness, and vomiting. While these more serious effects arent common, it is important for users and potential users to be aware that taking these substances do carry these risks. Signs of Use Some possible signs that someone might be using mescaline include: Flushed skinHeadachesPoor coordinationIncreased energy levelsLack of appetiteDifficulty sleepingNausea or vomiting  Changes in moodHallucinationsPresence 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 a 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 a particularly well-known street drug, it holds a special place in drug culture, particularly among psychedelic drug users who may believe that, like magic mushrooms and marijuana, psychedelic cactus are sacred plants and should be revered due to their origination in nature. As mescaline is often thought of as a natural or safe substance, users may be less likely to report effects than with chemical substances, instead perhaps choosing to manage the effects of the drug without the support of health services. 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 individuals 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. How Long Mescaline Stays in Your System 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 the users perceptions of reality is potentially harmful, as users 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. 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 lifes problems, or to cope with stress. Giving up mescaline use may require addressing underlying psychological issues first. How to Get Help There are no treatments for mescaline use that are currently approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA).     Treatment for substance misuse and addiction often involves cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT), a process that addresses the underlying thought patterns that contribute to maladaptive behaviors. It is not uncommon for a combined approach that includes CBT with individual psychotherapy, group therapy, and support groups. Antidepressants, anti-anxiety medications, and other medications may be used to address the symptoms of underlying psychological conditions. Talk to your doctor if you are concerned about your mescaline use. You can also contact SAMHSAs national helpline at 1-800-662-4357 or search their online treatment locator for a referral to mental health services in your area.