A hallucinogenic drug obtained from the Mexican peyote cactus.
Derived from the Mexican peyote cactus, Anhalonium lewinii, this is a hallucinogen used for many centuries by Indian tribes in Mexico as an intoxicant to produce ecstatic states for religious celebrations. In recent times its ability to produce temporary psychotic symptoms has been used to investigate the mechanism of PSYCHOSIS. Mescaline has similar effects to those of LSD: changes in mood and thought, illusions, self-absorption and an altered perception of time. Experience of the drug may subsequently provoke panic attacks, deliberate self-injury, real psychosis and sometimes addiction (see DEPENDENCE).
n. an alkaloid present in mescal buttons (the dried tops of the Mexican cactus Lophophora williamsii) that produces inebriation and vivid colourful hallucinations when ingested.
Compounds characterised by their ability to produce distortions of perception, emotional changes, depersonalisation, and a variety of effects on memory and learned behaviour. They include CANNABIS, LYSERGIC ACID DIETHYLAMIDE (LSD) and MESCALINE. (See also DEPENDENCE.)... hallucinogens
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