Mescaline is a naturally occurring psychedelic alkaloid found in several cactus species, most notably the peyote cactus (Lophophora williamsii) and the San Pedro cactus (Echinopsis pachanoi). This compound can also be produced synthetically in a laboratory setting. Mescaline is classified as a hallucinogen because it profoundly alters perception, mood, and thought processes. Its use in traditional spiritual and religious contexts dates back thousands of years. Like all psychoactive substances, mescaline carries the potential for adverse reactions, which can be both physiological and psychological.
Immediate Physical Side Effects
The initial physical discomfort following mescaline ingestion can be significant and often occurs before the onset of the altered mental state. Among the most common somatic effects are intense nausea and vomiting, which are particularly prevalent when consuming the natural cactus material like peyote buttons.
The body’s sympathetic nervous system is notably affected, leading to physiological arousal. Users frequently experience changes in cardiovascular function, including an increase in both heart rate (tachycardia) and blood pressure (hypertension). Other observable physical signs include pupil dilation (mydriasis), a rise in body temperature, and excessive sweating.
Motor control can also be impaired, manifesting as muscle weakness, tremors, dizziness, or difficulty with coordination. These immediate physical responses are temporary and generally subside as the primary psychedelic effects begin to take hold.
Acute Adverse Psychological Experiences
While mescaline is often associated with positive experiences, it can also precipitate intensely negative mental and emotional states. These acute psychological reactions can involve a rapid shift from euphoria to profound distress. The experience can become overwhelming, characterized by severe anxiety, feelings of panic, and terror.
Intense paranoia is a frequent component of an adverse experience, where the user may develop unfounded suspicion or fear regarding their surroundings or the people near them. This state of psychological distress can sometimes be accompanied by temporary confusion, disorganized thinking, and difficulty concentrating. The heightened state of fear can lead to irrational or unsafe behavior.
Users may also experience depersonalization, a feeling of being detached from one’s own body, or derealization, a sense that the external world is unreal or distorted. These dissociative symptoms, combined with confronting hallucinations, can make the experience feel like a temporary mental illness.
Potential Long-Term Mental Health Risks
Although the acute intoxication period ends, mescaline use has been associated with the development of less common, but persistent, mental health conditions. One such condition is Hallucinogen Persisting Perception Disorder (HPPD), which involves a continuation of visual disturbances.
HPPD is a non-psychotic disorder, meaning the affected individual can usually distinguish these visual phenomena from reality, but the symptoms can be highly distressing and chronic. The condition can manifest even after a single use and is often accompanied by co-occurring anxiety or panic disorders. Symptoms include:
- Visual snow
- Halos around objects
- Intensified colors
- The perception of trails following moving objects
A more serious, albeit rare, risk involves the possibility of precipitating or exacerbating underlying psychotic disorders in vulnerable individuals. People with a personal or family history of mental illnesses like schizophrenia are considered to be at a higher risk of experiencing prolonged psychosis following mescaline use. Use in those with pre-existing conditions can potentially trigger the onset of long-lasting symptoms.