Mescaline: effects of this hallucinogenic drug

A wide variety of substances with different psychoactive effects exist in nature. Some of them have mainly activating effects, others depressants and others that are characterized by causing hallucinations and perceptual alterations. Many of these substances have been used since ancient times, sometimes for religious purposes.

In other cases, the active ingredients have been extracted from plants or elements that contain them to investigate or seek medicinal use. And in some cases, they are used for recreational purposes. One of the best-known hallucinogenic drugs after amphetamines is mescaline..

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hallucinogens

Hallucinogens are a type of substance classified within the group of psychodysleptics. These are drugs that generate an alteration in the functioning of the nervous system, being notorious its effect on the perception of the one who consumes them.

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

Its consumption is not innocuous, being able to cause different types of problems such as poisoning that can endanger the person who has consumed them, different physiological effects, episodes psychotics, depersonalization, substance-induced mood disorders, and even changes in personality. The presence of "bad trips" is also frequent, 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) chemically synthesized. However, some of these substances are made from plants existing in nature; This is the case of mescaline.

Mescaline: description of the substance

Mescaline is a psychotomimetic hallucinogen. It is a phenylalkylamine alkaloid extracted mainly from two types of cacti, mezcal and best known peyote, although there are other varieties of cactus such as San Pedro that also they contain.

Initially generates a feeling of euphoria to later go to a sedation phase. The consumption of mescaline causes perceptual alterations, among which a vision in which the color of objects is perceived with more intensity and brightness stands out. They also often see geometric patterns.

It is also common for there to be an increase in artistic sensitivity and the perception of both visual and sound art (which is why various artists have occasionally used it). In addition, tends to generate situations of deep introspection and reflection about life and existence.

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

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

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Action in the brain: mechanism of action

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

It has also been observed that this substance causes the glutamate of the brain, as well as sodium, are not oxidized.

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

Uses given to this substance

Employed 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), has also been the object of scientific research in relation to the exploration of the psyche, self-awareness and phenomena perceptive. Today it is often used for recreational purposes.

However, this type of substance is complicated and expensive to isolate, so it must be taken into account that the version that is usually sold illegally in a large number of cases is adulterated or directly sold another substance 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 the presence of nausea and vomiting.

In cases of poisoning, it is common to present incoordination, blurred vision, hyperthermia, increased cardiorespiratory rate and tachycardia, decreased sensitivity and pupillary dilation. Alterations in space-time perception, hallucinations and sensations of derealization are also common.

In cases of bad trip, fear, panic and anguish often appear. Likewise, you can quickly go from dread to euphoria, hyperactivity and aggressiveness. Flashbacks and psychotic episodes may appear. No cases of withdrawal have been recorded, but tolerance and psychic dependence (although not physical) are generated.

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