Mescaline physiological effects

In contrast to 3-phenylethylamines such as mescaline (4), isoquinoline alkaloids do not have hallucinogenic activity. These alkaloids are toxic to many animals and exhibit a number of other physiological effects. Both peyophorine (15) and camegeine (18) have positive inotropic effects and modify heart action in mammals (Wagner, 1988). Other isoquinoline alkaloids have been reported to possess antitumor activity (Lundstrom, 1983). 

Basic drugs elicit a variety of physiological effects. Stimulants such as methamphetamine can act as haUudnogens at higher doses, while the opiate alkaloids are analgesic and promote general depression of the central nervous system. Many natural products, such as cocoa leaves, peyote, and khat leaves, have been used for hundreds of years. Some— for example, LSD and mescaline— are associated with religious explorations or celebrations. 

Little is known specifically about the effects of mescaline compared to LSD. Much information about it relies upon its similarities with other monoamine hallucinogens. The majority of attention is given here to mescaline, but some brief mention of the diverse effects of other peyote alkaloids (of which little is known) is deserved. Often, their effects are very different from mescaline. Many alkaloids are present in sufficent concentrations to alter human physiology after oral consumption of peyote. Lophophorine in humans causes a "sickening feeling in the back of... 

Because of the known physiological activities of adrenaline and mescaline, chemists have synthesized compounds with similar structures. One such compound is amphetamine, a central nervous system stimulant. Amphetamine and a close relative, methamphetamine, are used clinically as appetite suppressants. Methamphetamine is the street dmg known as speed because of its rapid and intense psychological effects. Two other synthetic substituted benzenes, BHA and BHT, are preservatives (see Section 9.8) found in a wide variety of packaged foods. These compounds represent just a few of the many substituted benzenes that have been synthesized for commercial use by the chemical and pharmaceutical industries. 

A large number of physiologically active compounds are derived from 2-phenylethylamine, CSH5CH2CH2NH2. Some of these compounds are synthesized in cells and needed to maintain healthy mental function. Others are isolated from plant sources or are synthesized in the laboratory and have a profound effect on the brain because they interfere with normal neurochemistry. These compounds include adrenaline, noradrenaline, methamphetamine, and mescaline. Each contains a benzene ring bonded to a two-carbon unit with a nitrogen atom (shown in red). 

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