What is it?
Mescaline holds the distinction of being one of humanity's oldest psychedelic medicines, with archaeological evidence of use spanning over **5,700 years**. Found naturally in sacred cacti revered by Indigenous cultures across the Americas, it remains central to living spiritual traditions while inspiring some of the most influential writing on psychedelic experience.
**What is Mescaline?**
Mescaline (3,4,5-trimethoxyphenethylamine) is a naturally occurring psychedelic alkaloid belonging to the **phenethylamine class**—the same chemical family as dopamine and norepinephrine. First isolated by German pharmacologist Arthur Heffter in **1897** and synthesized by Ernst Späth in **1919**, it served as the template for many synthetic psychedelics.
**Natural Sources**
- **Peyote (Lophophora williamsii)** - Small, spineless cactus native to southwestern Texas and northern Mexico, containing **1-6% mescaline** by dry weight. An average 76mm peyote button contains approximately 25mg mescaline. Takes 7-30 years to mature.
- **San Pedro/Huachuma (Echinopsis pachanoi)** - Columnar cactus native to the Andes at 2,000-3,000m elevation, containing **0.05-2.375% mescaline**. Grows much faster than peyote (up to 30cm per year) and has become a sustainable alternative.
**Potency Comparison**
Mescaline is significantly less potent than other psychedelics:
- LSD is **1,000-3,000 times more potent**
- Psilocybin is approximately **30 times more potent**
- Typical dose: 200-400mg (vs. 100μg LSD or 15mg psilocybin)
- Effects last longer: approximately **11 hours average**
🚨 Important Warnings
Please read all warnings carefully before use.
Peyote populations are declining due to overharvesting. Wild plants take 7-30 years to mature. Experts recommend San Pedro as a sustainable alternative and advocate preserving peyote for traditional Indigenous use.
Research associates mescaline with fetal abnormalities. Strongly contraindicated during pregnancy.
⚠️ Interactions & Combinations
Important information about drug interactions and combinations. Always consult a physician before combining.
Antidepressants (SSRIs, SNRIs, MAOIs)
Potentially dangerous
High risk interactions. SSRIs/SNRIs may reduce effects. MAOIs can be dangerous. Not recommended to combine.
Cardiovascular medications
Sympathomimetic effects
Mescaline produces moderate sympathomimetic effects (increased heart rate, blood pressure). Consult physician if on heart medications.
Stimulants
Increased cardiovascular stress
Combining with stimulants may increase cardiovascular strain. Use caution.
💊 Dosage Guidelines
Typical dosage ranges from sub-perceptual microdoses to full psychoactive doses
Microdose
10.0 mg
Sub-perceptual
Threshold
50.0 mg
First noticeable effects
Moderate
300.0 mg
Full effects
Strong
600.0 mg
Intense experience
📋 Microdosing Protocols
Recommended protocols and regimens for microdosing this substance.
Fadiman Protocol (adapted for Mescaline)
Dosage:
- Mescaline Hcl: 17-50 mg
- Pure Mescaline: 10-50 mg
- Dried San Pedro Powder: ~0.5 grams
Schedule:
Day 1: dose, Day 2-3: off, repeat
Standard Fadiman protocol adapted for mescaline. Take in morning due to long duration (7-10 hours for microdose).
🔬 Scientific Research
Current research findings and clinical studies.
Survey data shows self-reported improvements: depression (86%), anxiety (80%), PTSD (76%), alcohol use disorder (76%). Between 35-50% rated experiences among most spiritually significant of their lives.
Safety study found only moderate sympathomimetic effects with cardiovascular profile similar to LSD and psilocybin. No evidence of neurotoxicity. Not physically addictive with low abuse potential.
⚖️ Legal Status
Current legal status in various jurisdictions. Always respect local laws.
| Jurisdiction | Status | Details |
|---|---|---|
|
United States
(1970) |
Schedule I (mescaline molecule)
|
Mescaline is a Schedule I controlled substance since 1970. However, exceptions exist for religious use. |
|
United States - Native American Church
(1978) |
Legal for religious use
|
American Indian Religious Freedom Act (1978) and 1994 amendments federally protect Native American Church members' right to use peyote in religious ceremonies. This protection applies only to enrolled tribal members. |
| United States - San Pedro cactus |
Legal gray area
|
San Pedro cactus is legal to buy and possess as an ornamental plant. However, it becomes illegal when intended for extraction or consumption of mescaline. |
|
Colorado
(2022) |
Decriminalized
|
Colorado decriminalized personal use for adults 21+ through Proposition 122 (2022). Includes mescaline-containing cacti. |
👤 Key Figures
Notable figures associated with the research and history of this substance.
Arthur Heffter
First isolated mescaline from peyote in 1897. Identified it as the primary psychoactive alkaloid.
Ernst Späth
First synthesized mescaline in 1919, enabling broader research and therapeutic exploration.
Aldous Huxley
Took 400mg mescaline on May 4, 1953 under supervision of Humphry Osmond. Wrote "The Doors of Perception" (1954), which profoundly influenced cultural attitudes toward psychedelics.
Dr. Humphry Osmond
Supervised Aldous Huxley's mescaline experience. Coined the term "psychedelic" in 1956. Pioneered psychedelic therapy research.
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