Proscaline

4-Propyloxy-3,5-dimethoxyphenethylamine

P, 4-Propoxy-3,5-DMPEA

Psychoactive Class

Chemical Class

Proscaline is a lesser-known psychedelic of the substituted phenethylamine class, structurally related to mescaline as its 4-propyloxy analog.¹ Its synthesis was first published by David E. Nichols in 1977, and it was later evaluated by Alexander Shulgin, who estimated its potency at roughly five times that of mescaline.² Shulgin documented his findings in the 1991 book PiHKAL.¹ It belongs to a series of mescaline analogs including escaline and allylescaline,³ and appeared on the research chemical market in the 2010s.

Dosage & Duration

Dosage

Threshold~10 mg

Light10-30 mg

Moderate30-40 mg

Strong40-60 mg

Heavy60+ mg

Duration

Onset30-60 minutes

After Effects3-5 hours

Total8-12 hours

Subjective Effects

Proscaline produces a gentle, mescaline-like psychedelic state that develops fully within the first couple of hours and can sustain a warm, contented euphoria for the remainder of the day. The experience is frequently described as pleasant but low-key, with a peaceful, sociable character rather than a deep or revelatory one; at common doses some users find it notably uneventful. Toward the upper end of the dosage range the balance shifts toward physical load and irritability, and sleep may remain impossible for twelve hours or more, though no hangover is reported the following day.

Physical

The body load includes mild mental and physical stimulation with restlessness and occasional tremor during the come-up, alongside muscle tension, pupil dilation, appetite suppression, and sweating or chills. Pronounced wakefulness is typical, and insomnia can persist well past the peak; some users instead report drowsiness as lower-dose experiences wind down.

Autonomic

Pupil dilation

Stimulation

Uncomfortable

Muscle tension

Cognitive

The headspace is characterized by deep peace, contentment, and a steadily building euphoria, with strong sociability and a light, joking conversational tone. Mental clarity is largely preserved even when the body feels intoxicated, but the state tends to lack enhanced clarity, deep realizations, or motivation for serious analysis, and confusion or irritability can appear, particularly at higher doses.

Confusion

Emotional

Empathy enhancement

Visual

Visuals are present with eyes open and closed but remain relatively subtle at common doses, with color brightening as the most consistent feature.

Tactile

Tactile enhancement

Reagent Testing

Loading reagent data

Expected colorimetric results are being prepared.

Pharmacology

Pharmacodynamics

Proscaline acts as a serotonin 5-HT2 receptor agonist with activity at the 5-HT2A, 5-HT2B, and 5-HT2C receptors.⁴ It has been described as a partial agonist at the 5-HT2A receptor, activation of which is thought to be responsible for its psychedelic effects. Notably, proscaline displays considerably greater potency at the 5-HT2C receptor compared to the 5-HT2A or 5-HT2B receptors.⁴

Pharmacokinetics

Proscaline is considerably more lipophilic than mescaline or escaline (log P of 1.70 compared to 0.78 and 1.11, respectively), a property expected to favor blood-brain barrier permeability.²

Metabolitesnone documented yet

Tolerance

Full Tolerance

Tolerance to the effects of proscaline develops almost immediately following ingestion.

Baseline Reset

Approximately 7 days

Half Tolerance

Approximately 3 days

Cross Tolerance

Serotonergic psychedelics

Harm Potential

Addiction & Dependence

Psychological

Extremely Low

Proscaline is described as non-habit-forming, and interest in using it may diminish with repeated use. Its use is most often characterized as self-regulating.

History & Culture

Proscaline was first synthesized and investigated by Czech chemist Otakar Leminger in 1972.⁵ The compound was subsequently synthesized by David E. Nichols, who published his work in the Journal of Medicinal Chemistry in 1977. Around this period, Alexander Shulgin…

Legality

By Country

United StatesUnscheduled

Not specifically scheduled under the Controlled Substances Act. However, sale for human consumption could potentially trigger prosecution under the Federal Analogue Act due to structural similarity to mescaline, a Schedule I substance.

SwitzerlandControlled (Verzeichnis E)

Classified as a controlled substance under Verzeichnis E, point 130, as a defined derivative of phenethylamine.⁹ Exemptions exist for scientific research and industrial applications.⁹

GermanyControlled (NpSG)

Regulated under the Neue-psychoaktive-Stoffe-Gesetz (New Psychoactive Substances Act) since November 26, 2016.⁶ Production, import with intent to distribute, administration to others, and trading are criminal offenses.⁷ Possession itself is prohibited but not subject to criminal penalty, though ordering may be prosecuted as incitement to market the substance.⁸

United KingdomClass A

Controlled as a Class A substance under the Misuse of Drugs Act 1971 via the phenethylamine derivatives catch-all clause.¹⁰ Class A substances carry the most severe penalties under UK law.

References

Source Pages

Citations

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Proscaline

4-Propyloxy-3,5-dimethoxyphenethylamine

P, 4-Propoxy-3,5-DMPEA

Psychoactive Class

Psychedelic Hallucinogen

Chemical Class

Scaline Phenethylamine (substituted)