Mescaline is used recreationally, spiritually, and medically, with psychedelic effects occurring at doses from 100 to 1,000 mg and it can be used in pure crystalline form or via the crude extract of mescaline-containing cacti. Mescaline induces a psychedelic experience characterized by vivid visual patterns, altered perception of time and self, synesthesia, and spiritual effects, with an onset of 0.5 to 0.9 hours and a duration that increases with dose, ranging from about 6 to 14 hours.
Key Aspects of Mescaline:
- Effects: Similar to LSD or psilocybin, effects include hallucinations, altered time perception, euphoria, and introspection. Physical effects can include nausea, tremors, and sweating.
- Sources & Forms: Extracted from peyote “buttons” or San Pedro cactus, and can be synthesized. It is consumed as dried cactus, powder, capsules, or liquid.
- Dosage: Active doses range from 100 to 1,000 mg, with 500 mg considered an intermediate dose.
- Duration: The experience can last 8–12 hours, with effects starting 1–2 hours after ingestion.
- Risks: While not considered physically addictive, it can cause severe psychological discomfort, anxiety (a “bad trip”), and poses risks in unsafe environments. [1, 2, 3, 4, 5]