What is Mescaline?
General Information About What is Mescaline?
Mescaline, known chemically as 3,4,5-trimethoxyphenethylamine, is a naturally occurring psychedelic alkaloid belonging to the phenethylamine class. It is primarily found in the peyote cactus (Lophophora williamsii), native to Mexico and the southwestern United States, as well as the San Pedro (Echinopsis pachanoi) and Peruvian torch (Echinopsis peruviana) cacti, prevalent in South America. For over 6,000 years, indigenous cultures, including the Aztecs and Native American tribes, have used mescaline-containing cacti in religious and spiritual ceremonies, valuing their ability to induce profound visionary experiences.

Mescaline was first isolated in 1896 by German chemist Arthur Heffter and synthesized in 1919 by Ernst Späth. It acts as a serotonin receptor agonist, particularly at the 5-HT2A receptors, which are responsible for its hallucinogenic effects. Mescaline can be consumed in various forms: dried cactus buttons, tea brewed from the cactus, or synthetic forms like powder or capsules. Its effects typically onset within 30 minutes to 2 hours and last between 6 and 14 hours, depending on the dose, which ranges from 100 to 1,000 mg orally (Alcohol and Drug Foundation).
Property | Details |
---|---|
Chemical Name | 3,4,5-Trimethoxyphenethylamine |
Molecular Formula | C₁₁H₁₇NO₃ |
Natural Sources | Peyote, San Pedro, Peruvian torch cacti |
Historical Use | Over 6,000 years in indigenous ceremonies |
First Isolated | 1896 by Arthur Heffter |
First Synthesized | 1919 by Ernst Späth |
Physical and Chemical Properties of Mescaline
Mescaline’s key chemical properties are as follows:
- Chemical name: 3,4,5-trimethoxyphenethylamine (also known as mescalin/mezcalin).
- Formula and weight: C11H17NO3; molar mass ~211.26 g/mol.
- Structure: A benzene ring with methoxy groups (–OCH3) at the 3,4,5 positions and a two-carbon ethylamine side chain. This structure makes it a “protoalkaloid” (an amine derived from an amino acid).
- Appearance and melting point: In pure form it is a colorless to white crystalline solid. It melts around 35–36 °C. The density of mescaline is about 1.07 g/cm³.
- Solubility and polarity: Mescaline is moderately soluble in water and also soluble in ethanol. It is relatively hydrophilic (polar) – its predicted octanol-water partition coefficient (logP) is only about 0.7. In practice, this means mescaline dissolves more easily in aqueous solutions than many other psychoactive compounds.
- Taste: The freebase has a distinctly bitter taste, which is why mescaline or peyote preparations are often encapsulated or mixed with other substances to mask the flavor.
In summary, mescaline is a water-soluble alkaloid with modest lipophilicity, existing as a low-melting, crystalline powder. Its chemical profile is similar to that of neurotransmitters (phenethylamine derivatives), though its three methoxy groups give it unique pharmacological activity.
Mescaline Synthesis
Mescaline can be obtained through a variety of approaches—both “natural” and fully synthetic—depending on the desired starting material and scale. One of the simplest routes relies on plant extraction, where diced San Pedro or peyote cactus is acidified, heated to liberate the alkaloids into solution, and then the mescaline is basified and recovered by standard liquid–liquid extractions with organic solvents.

In contrast, laboratory syntheses generally start from 3,4,5‑trimethoxybenzaldehyde: a Henry (nitroaldol) condensation with nitromethane yields a nitrostyrene intermediate, which is then reduced to mescaline using hydride or catalytic hydrogenation methods;


Large‑scale (“kilogram‑level”) versions of this nitromethane route have been described in open‐source forums for clandestine production. Finally, a broader family of analogues syntheses—often illustrated in video manuals—employs nitroalkene or nitropropene precursors (as in Shulgin’s PIHKAL protocols) that are converted to the corresponding phenethylamine via reduction (e.g., lithium aluminum hydride) and subsequent work‑up, demonstrating the flexibility of mescaline’s core scaffold to yield various substituted phenethylamines.


Mescaline Effects

Mescaline is a classical psychedelic, and its effects are similar to—but often described as gentler than—those of LSD or psilocybin. Key effects include:
- Visual and sensory effects: Users report vivid visual hallucinations, often with bright colors and intricate geometric or fractal patterns. Objects may appear to move or breathe, and everyday surfaces can take on intense, kaleidoscopic detail. Synesthesia (mixing of senses, e.g. “seeing” sounds) and enhanced perception of light are common.
- Altered consciousness: Mescaline profoundly alters perception of time, space, and self. Minutes can feel like hours, and one’s sense of personal identity may dissolve or shift. Many describe the experience as spiritual, dreamlike, or insightful. There can also be strong emotional effects – from euphoria and empathy to anxiety or confusion, depending on the dose and the user’s mindset.
- Physical effects: Common physiological reactions include pupil dilation, increased heart rate and blood pressure, elevated body temperature, and sometimes sweating. Nausea and vomiting are frequently reported at the onset (common to peyote use). Because mescaline is active in relatively high doses, the first hour or two can involve significant gastrointestinal discomfort before the psychedelic effects fully set in.
- Dose and duration: Typical oral doses of pure mescaline for a full psychedelic effect are on the order of 200–400 mg. Effects usually begin 30–90 minutes after ingestion (slow onset) and last a very long time, commonly 8–12 hours or more. (For example, one source notes that onset is 45–90 minutes and total duration 9–14 hours.)
- Tolerance and safety: Like other psychedelics, mescaline produces rapid tolerance: taking it on successive days greatly reduces its effects. It is not considered physically addictive, and dependence does not develop. Physiologically, mescaline is relatively safe in that fatal overdose is extremely unlikely. The LD50 is high (around 880 mg/kg in humans), and to date no deaths from mescaline overdose have been documented. However, misuse can still be dangerous: severe anxiety (“bad trips”) or precipitated psychiatric episodes can occur, especially in susceptible individuals.

Pharmacologically, mescaline’s effects are mediated mainly by agonism at serotonin 5-HT2A receptors, as is typical for classic hallucinogens. By activating these receptors in the brain’s cortex and limbic system, mescaline alters neural signaling in a way that produces its characteristic psychedelic experience. This mechanism links mescaline to a broader family of serotoninergic psychedelics (LSD, psilocybin, DMT, etc.) that share similar subjective effects.
Mescaline Legality
Mescaline is tightly controlled under drug laws worldwide. In the United States, mescaline was placed in Schedule I of the Controlled Substances Act in 197, meaning it is considered to have high abuse potential, no accepted medical use, and lack of accepted safety. Mescaline is also banned internationally: the 1971 UN Convention on Psychotropic Substances explicitly includes mescaline as a prohibited hallucinogen. Under U.S. federal law, the only widely recognized legal use is for members of the Native American Church using peyote in bona fide religious ceremonies. (A 1978 federal law [AIRFA] and later court rulings generally protect such religious use of peyote.) Notably, a 2022 Colorado ballot measure decriminalized the possession of synthetic mescaline (but not mescaline derived from cacti).
Other countries similarly forbid mescaline. In the United Kingdom, mescaline itself (pure powder or salt) is a Class A drug, although cactus plants like San Pedro may be sold legally as ornamentals. Australia classifies mescaline as a Schedule 9 poison (the most restricted category), essentially banning it except for laboratory research. Canada lists mescaline as a Schedule III controlled substance, but the peyote cactus is exempt from prohibition, allowing cultivation of Lophophora for religious or ornamental purposes. Many European countries (e.g. Germany, France, the Netherlands) likewise make mescaline (and even mescaline-containing plants) illegal under narcotics laws. In Mexico, peyote is illegal except for certain indigenous tribes, though San Pedro and Peruvian torch cacti are legal (Legal Status of Psychoactive Cacti). In practice, enforcement focuses on the pure drug, while laws about the cacti themselves vary by jurisdiction (some allow growing the plant or possessing dried cactus).
Conclusion
Mescaline is a potent psychedelic compound with a rich history of cultural and spiritual use, primarily derived from peyote and other cacti. Its effects, driven by serotonin receptor agonism, include profound hallucinations and altered states of consciousness, making it significant in both traditional and recreational contexts. While research suggests potential therapeutic applications, such as for alcoholism, its use is limited by widespread legal restrictions and potential health risks, including nausea and psychological distress. The complex legal status, with exemptions for religious use in some regions, underscores the need for caution and awareness of local regulations. As interest in psychedelics grows, further studies may clarify mescaline’s therapeutic potential, but its use remains a delicate balance of cultural reverence, scientific inquiry, and legal considerations.
Sources
- Mescaline Extraction From San Pedro Cactus https://bbgate.com/threads/mescaline-extraction-from-san-pedro-cactus.1937/
- Vamvakopoulou, Ioanna A., et al. “Mescaline: The forgotten psychedelic.” Neuropharmacology 222 (2023): 109294. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0028390822003537
- National Center for Biotechnology Information. (2025). Mescaline – PubChem Compound Summary.
Available at: https://pubchem.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/compound/mescaline
This source provides a comprehensive overview of mescaline’s chemical and physical properties, including molecular weight, solubility, and other physicochemical data, making it a primary reference for the article’s section on physical and chemical properties. - Mescaline Synthesis With Nitromethane. https://bbgate.com/en/threads/mescaline-synthesis-with-nitromethane-1000g-scale.76/
- Drug Enforcement Administration. (2020). Peyote and Mescaline Fact Sheet.
Available at: https://www.dea.gov/sites/default/files/2020-06/Peyote%2520and%2520Mescaline-2020_0.pdf
This DEA publication offers authoritative information on mescaline’s legal status in the United States, including exemptions for religious use, which is critical for the article’s legality section. - Alcohol and Drug Foundation. (2025). Mescaline Drug Facts.
Available at: https://adf.org.au/drug-facts/mescaline/
This source provides reliable, accessible information on mescaline’s effects, duration, and risks, suitable for the general information and effects sections of the article. - Wikipedia Contributors. (2025). Mescaline.
Available at: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mescaline
While not peer-reviewed, this well-referenced entry synthesizes historical, chemical, and cultural aspects of mescaline, including synthesis methods and traditional use, making it a valuable resource for the general information and synthesis sections. - Mescaline and TMA synthesis (+Their Analogues). Video Manual. https://bbgate.com/en/threads/mescaline-and-tma-synthesis-their-analogues-video-manual.3390/
- ScienceDirect. (2025). Mescaline – Neuroscience Topics.
Available at: https://www.sciencedirect.com/topics/neuroscience/mescaline
This peer-reviewed source offers detailed insights into mescaline’s pharmacological effects and potential therapeutic applications, supporting the article’s sections on effects and emerging research.