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Mescaline

Mescaline molecule structureMescaline molecule structure
3,4,5-Trimethoxyphenethylamine
Peyote, San Pedro, Cactus, Buttons
Psychoactive Class
Chemical Class

Mescaline is a naturally occurring psychedelic of the phenethylamine class.1 It is found in several cacti species, most notably peyote and San Pedro,citation needed and has a history of spiritual and medicinal use spanning over 3,000 years in South America. This tradition persisted even through post-Spanish Conquest suppression efforts. Mescaline can be obtained from natural plant sources or produced synthetically1 and is known for producing classical psychedelic effects.2

Dosage & Duration

Dosage

Doses are population estimates that vary widely between individuals.

Threshold~100 mg
Light100-200 mg
Moderate200-300 mg
Strong300-500 mg
Heavy500+ mg
Bioavailability
≥53%

These dosage values apply to mescaline in its hydrochloride salt form. Natural sources such as peyote or San Pedro cactus contain highly variable mescaline concentrations and should not be dosed as though they were equivalent to the pure compound.

Duration

Onset1-3 hours
Come Up60-120 minutes
Peak2-4 hours
Offset2-3 hours
After Effects3-5 hours
Total6-12 hours
Half-life
2.6-5.3 hours

Subjective Effects

Legacy content. A statistically backed ontology from Mindstate Design Labs is coming soon.

Effects vary widely by individual, dose, and context.

Physical

The physical effects of mescaline can be broken down into several components which progressively intensify proportional to dosage.

Bodily control enhancementSalivationIncreased heart ratePupil dilationWakefulness

Cognitive

The cognitive effects of mescaline can be broken down into several components which progressively intensify proportional to dosage. In comparison to other psychedelics such as Psilocin, LSA and ayahuasca, mescaline is significantly more stimulating and fast-paced in terms of the specific style of thought stream produced and contains a large number of potential effects.

Visual

Distortions

Mescaline presents a full and complete array of possible visual distortions which generally includes:

Enhancements

Mescaline presents a full and complete array of possible visual enhancements which generally includes:

Geometry

The visual geometry that is present throughout this trip can be described as more similar in appearance to that of ayahuasca, 2C-P or Psilocin than that of LSD, 2C-B or 2C-I. They can be comprehensively described as structured in their organization, organic in geometric style, intricate in complexity, with a variable size that spontaneously changes between large and small in appearance, fast and smooth in motion, colourful in scheme, glossy in colour, primarily rounded yet somewhat angular in their corners. They give off a natural feel to them that at higher dosages are significantly more likely to result in states of Level 8B visual geometry over Level 8A

Hallucinatory States

Mescaline produces a full range of high level hallucinatory states in a fashion that is more consistent and reproducible than that of many other commonly used psychedelics

TransformationsUnspeakable horrors

Auditory

The auditory effects of mescaline are common in their occurrence and exhibit a full range of effects which commonly includes:

Multisensory

Forked from Subjective Effect Documentation byJosie Kins August 2015.

See also: Psychedelic Intensity Scale, Effects of psychedelics (visual, cognitive, miscellaneous)

Reagent Testing

Expected colorimetric results for common reagent tests. Colors show reaction change over 1–2 minutes.

Marquis(MQ)
white → orange2
Mecke(ME)
white → brown2
Mandelin(MD)
yellow2 → brown2
Robadope(RB)
orange1 → pink1 → pink2
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Pharmacology

Pharmacodynamics

Mescaline acts primarily as a partial agonist at serotonin 5-HT2A receptors, which appears to be the principal mechanism underlying its psychoactive effects;citation needed the 5-HT2A antagonist ketanserin has been shown to block these effects in humans. It also binds the 5-HT2C receptor, where it displays pronounced biased agonism, and shows low efficacy at the 5-HT2B receptor. Mescaline lacks meaningful affinity for the monoamine transporters (SERT, NET, and DAT),3 though high doses in rodent models have been found to elevate serotonin metabolite levels, suggesting possible serotonin release or reuptake inhibition at elevated concentrations. It may also weakly promote dopamine release, though this is considered to be of modest significance.

Pharmacokinetics

Mescaline's oral bioavailability is not precisely established but appears to be at least 53%, based on the proportion excreted unchanged in urine.4 Oral doses undergo approximately 50% first-pass metabolism, after which further metabolism is relatively limited.citation needed The primary metabolic pathway is oxidative deamination, though the specific enzymes responsible remain uncertain; monoamine oxidase (MAO), diamine oxidase (DAO), and possibly other enzymes have been implicated. Mescaline does not appear to be metabolized by CYP2D6. The compound also exhibits relatively poor blood-brain barrier permeability due to its low lipophilicity, which is thought to contribute to its low potency.

Interactions

Dangerous

Highest risk

These combinations are considered extremely harmful and should always be avoided. Reactions to these drugs taken in combination are highly unpredictable and have a potential to cause death.

Unsafe

Avoid

There is considerable risk of physical harm when taking these combinations, they should be avoided where possible.

Caution

Use caution

These combinations are not usually physically harmful, but may produce undesirable effects, such as physical discomfort or overstimulation. Extreme use may cause physical health issues. Synergistic effects may be unpredictable. Care should be taken when choosing to use this combination.

2C-T-x compounds2C-x compounds5-MeO-xxT tryptaminesAmphetaminesCannabisCocaineDiphenhydramineDOx compoundsMAOIsNBOMe compoundsPregabalin
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Tolerance

Tolerance timelines are rules of thumb, not exact schedules, and vary widely between individuals and use patterns.

Baseline Reset
At minimum one month between experiences is recommended for harm reduction purposes, though specific tolerance reset timelines have not been precisely characterized in clinical literature.
Cross Tolerance

Serotonergic psychedelics (LSD, psilocybin, DMT), Other 5-HT2A agonists

Harm Potential

Addiction & Dependence

Psychological

Extremely Low

There is no evidence of mescaline showing addiction or dependence.5 The substance does not appear to produce reinforcing effects that lead to compulsive use patterns.

Physical

Extremely Low

No physical dependence has been documented with mescaline use.5 The substance does not produce withdrawal symptoms upon cessation.

Toxicity

Hepatic

Liver damage has been reported at toxic doses of approximately 2 grams or more; occasional use at typical recreational doses is not associated with hepatotoxicity.

Respiratory

Respiratory paralysis may occur at toxic doses of approximately 2 grams or more; this represents an overdose scenario rather than a risk at typical recreational doses.

Cardiovascular

Acute cardiovascular effects including increased heart rate, elevated blood pressure, and palpitations occur during intoxication as part of sympathetic arousal;citation needed serious cardiovascular events are uncommon at typical doses and primarily concern individuals with pre-existing conditions.

Psychosis Risk

Rarely, in susceptible individuals such as those with a family history of schizophrenia, mescaline may cause psychosis. The substance can potentially trigger latent mental disorders even with single use in predisposed individuals.

Seizure Risk

Mescaline has some potential to cause seizures, particularly when combined with substances that lower seizure threshold. Seizure risk is notably elevated in combination with lithium or tramadol.

History & Culture

Ancient and Indigenous Use

Archaeological evidence from sites across the United States, Mexico, and Peru demonstrates that mescaline-containing cacti have been used in ceremonial and spiritual contexts for over 6,000 years.citation needed The San Pedro cactus has been in continuous spiritual and medicinal use in Peru for

Legality

International

UN Convention on Psychotropic Substances 1971 (Schedule I)

By Country

Illegal31
United States flagUnited StatesIllegal
Argentina flagArgentinaIllegal
Australia flagAustraliaIllegal
Austria flagAustriaIllegal
Belgium flagBelgiumIllegal
Canada flagCanadaIllegal
China flagChinaIllegal
Czech Republic flagCzech RepublicIllegal
Finland flagFinlandIllegal
France flagFranceIllegal
Germany flagGermanyIllegal
India flagIndiaIllegal
Indonesia flagIndonesiaIllegal
Japan flagJapanIllegal
Mexico flagMexicoIllegal
Netherlands flagNetherlandsIllegal
New Zealand flagNew ZealandIllegal
Norway flagNorwayIllegal
Philippines flagPhilippinesIllegal
Poland flagPolandIllegal
Portugal flagPortugalIllegal
Russia flagRussiaIllegal
Singapore flagSingaporeIllegal
South Africa flagSouth AfricaIllegal
South Korea flagSouth KoreaIllegal
Spain flagSpainIllegal
Switzerland flagSwitzerlandIllegal
Turkey flagTurkeyIllegal
Ukraine flagUkraineIllegal
United Arab Emirates flagUnited Arab EmiratesIllegal
United Kingdom flagUnited KingdomIllegal
Legal / decriminalized1
Denmark flagDenmarkLegal (regulated)

References

Source Pages

  1. Disregard Everything I Say
  2. Drug Users Bible by Dominic Milton Trott
  3. Erowid: Mescaline Vault
  4. PsychonautWiki: Mescaline
  5. TripSit: Drug Combinations
  6. TripSit: Mescaline
  7. Wikipedia

Citations

  1. Davis, Alan K., So, Sophia, Lancelotta, Rafael, & Barsuglia, Joseph P.. (2021). The epidemiology of mescaline use: Pattern of use, motivations for consumption, and perceived consequences, benefits, and acute and enduring subjective effects. Journal of Psychopharmacology. https://doi.org/10.1177/0269881121101358312
  2. Klaiber, Aaron, Ley, Laura, Becker, Anna M., Mueller, Lorenz, Luethi, Dino, & Liechti, Matthias E.. (2024). Acute dose-dependent effects of mescaline in a double-blind placebo-controlled study in healthy subjects. Translational Psychiatry. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41398-024-03116-21
  3. Kolaczynska, Karolina E., Liechti, Matthias E., & Luethi, Dino. (2022). Receptor Interaction Profiles of 4-Alkoxy-3,5-Dimethoxy-Phenethylamines (Mescaline Derivatives) and Related Amphetamines. Frontiers in Pharmacology. https://doi.org/10.3389/fphar.2021.7942541
  4. Mueller, Lorenz, Klaiber, Aaron, Ley, Laura, Becker, Anna M., Thomann, Jan, Luethi, Dino, Schmid, Yasmin, & Liechti, Matthias E.. (2025). Pharmacokinetics, Pharmacodynamics, and Urinary Recovery of Oral Mescaline Hydrochloride in Healthy Participants. Clinical Pharmacokinetics. https://doi.org/10.1007/s40262-025-01544-x1
  5. Marjolein Doesburg-van Kleffens, Amy M. Zimmermann-Klemd, & Carsten Gründemann. (December 2023). An Overview on the Hallucinogenic Peyote and Its Alkaloid Mescaline: The Importance of Context, Ceremony and Culture. Molecules, 28(24), 7942. https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules2824794212
  6. Primary legal source. argentina.gob.ar (n.d.). https://www.argentina.gob.ar/normativa/nacional/decreto-122-2026-4235201
  7. Primary legal source. mpf.gob.ar (n.d.). https://www.mpf.gob.ar/procunar/files/2019/09/Anexo-decreto-122-2026.pdf1
  8. Primary legal source. legislation.gov.au (n.d.). https://www.legislation.gov.au/F2026L00633/asmade/2026-05-28/text/original/epub/OEBPS/document_1/document_1.html1
  9. Primary legal source. ris.bka.gv.at (n.d.). https://ris.bka.gv.at/NormDokument.wxe?Abfrage=Bundesnormen&Anlage=5&Artikel=&FassungVom=2026-04-14&Gesetzesnummer=10011053&Paragraf=&Uebergangsrecht=1
  10. Primary legal source. afmps.be (n.d.). https://www.afmps.be/sites/default/files/content/INSP/NARC/annex%20II_non%20official%20consolidated%20version.pdf1

Further Reading

  1. Alcohol and Drug Foundation: Mescaline
  2. Bluedark: Mescaline
  3. DrugWise: Mescaline
  4. Uthaug et al. 2022: Comparative acute effects of mescaline, LSD, and psilocybin

Article Status

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    Step 1 · Automated synthesis

    An autonomous workflow built by Josie Kins compiled this article's foundation from information published across the web.

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    No one has reviewed this article's citations yet. That second pass checks each claim against the source it cites.

Recent changes8 human edits · latest

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11 July 2026

  1. Lyrea · Updated the article

24 January 2026

  1. Josie Kins · Updated the article · also 1,4-Butanediol, 1B-LSD, 1cP-AL-LAD and 573 more

  2. Josie Kins · Updated the article · also 1,4-Butanediol, 1B-LSD, 1cP-AL-LAD and 573 more

  3. Josie Kins · Updated the article · also 1,4-Butanediol, 1B-LSD, 1cP-AL-LAD and 573 more

  4. Josie Kins · Updated the article · also 1,4-Butanediol, 1B-LSD, 1cP-AL-LAD and 573 more

  5. Josie Kins · Updated the article · also 1,4-Butanediol, 1B-LSD, 1cP-AL-LAD and 573 more

  6. Josie Kins · Updated the article · also 1,4-Butanediol, 1B-LSD, 1cP-AL-LAD and 573 more

  7. Josie Kins · Updated the article · also 1,4-Butanediol, 1B-LSD, 1cP-AL-LAD and 573 more

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