Mescaline hallucination

Crude preparations of mescaline (61) from peyote were first reported by the Spanish as they learned of its use from the natives of Mexico during the Spanish invasion of that country in the sixteenth century. The colorful history (44) of mescaline has drawn attention to its use as a hallucinogen and even today it is in use among natives of North and South America. Although in connection with dmg abuse complaints, mescaline is considered dangerous, it has been reported (45) that it is not a narcotic nor is it habituating. It was also suggested that its sacramental use in the Native American Church of the United States be permitted since it appears to provoke only visual hallucination while the subject retains clear consciousness and awareness. 

Psychedelics (LSD) and other psy-chotomimetics such as mescaline and psilocybin can induce states of altered awareness, or induce hallucinations and anxiety, probably mediated by 5-HT2A receptors. Overactivity of these receptors may also play a role in the genesis of negative symptoms in schizophrenia (p. 238) and sleep disturbances. 

The three drugs, LSD, mescaline, and psilocybin are commonly called hallucinogens because of their ability to alter consciousness such that the individual senses things that are not present. They induce, often in an unpredictable way, perceptual symptoms, including shape and color distortion. Psychosis-like manifestations (depersonalization, hallucinations, distorted time perception) have led some to classify these drugs as psychotomimetics. They also produce somatic symptoms (dizziness, nausea, paresthesias, and blurred vision). Some users have reported intense reexperiencing of perceptual effects (flashbacks) up to several years after the last drug exposure. 

The dynamic interaction of perception, emotion, and cognition in the creation of conscious experience is highlighted by the visual image transformations that are enhanced by natural and drug-induced alterations of brain-mind state. Later in the book we will read the detailed accounts of such transformations in the reports by careful self-observers such as Albert Hofmann (who discovered the psychotogcnic potential of LSD) and Heinrich Kliiver (who used mescaline to study visual hallucination). In Hofmann and Kliiver s work, the most valuable descriptions are formal. That is, they emphasize form rather than content. 

Heinrich Kliiver, who devoted his scientific career to understanding the brain mechanisms of perception, was naturally fascinated by the experimental possibility of chemically altering perception (figure 15.1). Born in 1897, he was 21 when mescaline first became available and 23 when he himself first took the drug. Within ten years he had conducted and published the first systematic study of its effects (Mescal and Mechanisms of Hallucinations, 1928). 

Mescaline [54-04-6] (2-(3,4,5-trimethoxyphenyl)ethylamine) is the active ingredient in mescal buttons (peyotl or peyote), which are the dried tops of the Mexican dumpling cactus l ophopora wilhamsi. Mescaline produces visual hallucinations on ingestion. Its possible use as a psychotomimetic drug in the field of mental health has been studied (see Alkaloids Psychopharmacologicalagents). 

Clinical syndromes from LSD-25, mescaline, and the indoleamincs arc similar, Somatic symptoms are nausea, dizziness, loss of appetite, blurred vision, paresthesia, weakness, drowsiness, and trembling. These result frequently and are usually associated with sympathomimetic effects, such as increased pulse rate and slight temperature elevation. Perceptual and psychic changes are marked. Visual illusions and vivid hallucinations, decreased concentration, slow thinking, depersonalization, dreamy states, changes in mood, and often anxiety are commonly found. 

The drug asarone, which comes from a plant, Acorus calamus (found in Asia, Europe, and North America) is chemically very similar to mescaline. The roots of this plant are chewed to produce a dose-dependent effect about 2 inches produces a mild euphoria, whereas nearly 10 inches produces hallucinations. In some cultures, wives will chew on the roots and collect their expectorant throughout the day for their husbands to enjoy later. Nothing says welcome home at the end of a hard day like a nice warm bowl of spit. 

Psychedelics LSD Mescaline Phencyclidine (PCP] Psilocybin Hallucinogens Oral may also be smoked or inhaled Altered perception and insight distorted senses disinhibition Severe hallucinations panic reaction acute psychotic reactions ... 

But there is another side to peyote—its use as a recreational or street drug. In 1897, Arthur Heffter, a German chemist, was the first to identify mescaline as the chemical responsible for peyote s hallucinogenic effects. It was the first hallucinogenic compound synthesized. At the time, the science community wanted to know what chemical would cause hallucinations in oth-... 

Of the alkaloids so far identified in just L. william-sii alone, 15 are Beta-phenethylamine and simple isoquinoline alkaloids. Mescaline, N-methylmescaline, N-acetylemescaline, anhalamine, anhalonine, anhalidine, anhalinine, anhalonidine, lophophorine, O-methylan-halondedine, and pellotine have all been identified as the principal components of the plant. However, only mescaline has so far been determined to cause hallucinations. 

According to the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), the usual dose of mescaline that will produce hallucinations is about 0.3-0.5 g, which is the equivalent of about 5 g of dried peyote. The effect of the drug lasts about 12 hours. Mescaline can be extracted from peyote or produced synthetically. 

The psychotropic effects of Salvia divinorum have generated interest among psychopharmacologists and other scientists. Chemical analysis of the plant has succeeded in identifying the active substance, which is now known as salvinorin A. Research on animals and human volunteers indicates that the psychoactive effects of salvinorin A are comparable to those of mescaline. As little as 200-500 meg of salvinorin A will reliably produce hallucinations in people, when the crystallized substance is vaporized over a flame and inhaled. On the basis of effective dose, salvinorin A is the most potent natural hallucinogen known. The leaves have been determined to contain 1—4 mg of salvinorin A per gram of dry weight. 

The chemical properties of 2C-B most closely resemble those of mescaline, and 2C-B is 10 times more powerful than another popular club drug, MDMA (ecstasy). It is considered both a hallucinogen and an entacto-gen, a term that means touching within. The visual effects, including hallucinations, can be more intense than those produced by LSD or magic mushrooms (psilocybin), both powerful and potentially deadly drugs in their own right. 

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