Mescaline: effects of this hallucinogenic drug

This substance has been traditionally used by American tribes in mystical rituals.

There are a wide variety of substances in nature with different psychoactive effects. Some of them have mainly activating effects, others have depressant effects and others are characterized by hallucinations and perceptive alterations. Many of these substances have been used since ancient times, sometimes for religious purposes.

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

Hallucinogens

Hallucinogens are a type of substance classified within the group of psychodysleptics. They are drugs that generate an alteration in the functioning of the nervous system, their effect on the perception of the person who consumes them is notorious..

These effects are based on perceptive 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 or religious experiences, and although they produce dependence, they are not usually consumed as habitually as other types of drugs.

Their use is not harmless, and can cause different types of problems such as intoxication, alcohol poisoning, and that can endanger the person who has consumed them, different physiological effects, psychotic episodes, depersonalization, mood disorders caused by substances and even personality changes. It is also frequent the presence of "bad trips", 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 elaborated 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 cactus, mescal and the better known peyote, although there are other varieties of cactus such as San Pedro that also contain it.

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

It is also common to see an increase in artistic sensitivity and the perception of both visual and sound art (which is why several artists have occasionally used it). It also tends to generate situations of introspection, tends to generate situations of deep introspection and reflection on life and existence. on one's own life and existence.

Visions and hallucinations of varying of variable nature. The presence of hallucinations usually requires high doses. Sometimes there can be depersonalization and loss of the sense of space-time.

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

Acting on the brain: mechanism of action.

The mechanism of action of mescaline 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 hallucination, 5-HT2C and 5-HT2A receptors are closely linked to this type of symptoms..

It has also been observed that this substance causes glutamate in the brain, as well as sodium, not to be oxidized.

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

Uses given to this substance

Used since ancient times with religious and spiritual motives by South American and Central American indigenous tribes (peyote was already (peyote was already used by the Aztecs in religious rituals), it has also been the subject of scientific research regarding the exploration of the psyche, self-awareness and perceptual phenomena. Nowadays 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 is sold directly as another substance. is adulterated or another substance is sold as such (usually LSD). 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 intoxication, it is frequent that the following occur lack of coordination, blurred vision, hyperthermiaIn cases of intoxication, lack of coordination, blurred vision, hyperthermia, increased cardiorespiratory frequency and tachycardia, decreased sensitivity and pupillary dilatation are common. It is also common that alterations in spatio-temporal perception, hallucinations and sensations of derealization appear.

In cases of a bad trip, fear, panic and anguish are frequent. It can also move rapidly from dread to euphoria, hyperactivity and aggressiveness. Flashbacks and psychotic episodes may occur.. No cases of abstinence have been reported, but tolerance and psychological dependence (although not physical) are generated.