Mescaline is a little-known hallucinogen drug, although it was made illegal in the 1970s along with the well-known hallucinogens LSD and DMT. Mescaline is synthesized from peyote, the fruit of a cactus that grows along the Rio Grande basin. Peyote is still used as a legal religious sacrament for the Native American Church, but mescaline's use is purely recreational. Similar in effects to LSD, mescaline was the drug behind Aldous Huxley's experiences in his 1954 book "The Doors of Perception." Philosopher Jean-Paul Sartre complained of constant hallucinations of lobsters years after ingesting mescaline regularly. Because mescaline is so difficult to synthesize, it does not play a big role in the recreational drug subculture, and most purported mescaline is more likely a mixture of LSD or other drugs. In general, side effects of mescaline are similar to peyote, and to a lesser extent, LSD.
Increased Body Temperature
Users who ingest peyote or mescaline typically experience hot flashes and chills, and increased heart rate and blood pressure and flushing.
Sweating
As with many hallucinogens, many users experience excessive sweating after ingestion.
Difficulty Moving
Mescaline, peyote and other hallucinogens are profoundly psychological experiences, causing the user to go inward and not want to move around much. When an intoxicated user does try to move, efforts are clumsy and disjointed due to muscle weakness and instability, a temporary condition known as ataxia. Driving a vehicle or operating heavy machinery while intoxicated should be avoided at all costs.
Fatigue
After the primary effects of mescaline wear off, usually 12 hours, users may feel fatigued for several days.
Vomiting and Nausea
Peyote is well-known as a purgative, and in the Native America tradition, purging is considered a sign of health, especially during a healing ceremony. Extracted mescaline, on the other hand, does not usually cause the urge to vomit, but nausea is often reported.
Anxiety and Depression
Like LSD, bad trips on mescaline are possible. They should be treated psychologically by giving the intoxicated person reassurance and acceptance in a physically safe setting. Some mescaline users have negative psychological effects afterward as well. Anxiety and depression are not uncommon, according to Paul Gahlinger, author of "Illegal Drugs." As with other hallucinogens, mescaline can provoke symptoms of mental illness in users.
Member Comments