Emma Wilson
Magic mushrooms, or shrooms, are hallucinogenic mushrooms that contain psilocybin and psilocin. Mescaline, on the other hand, is a psychedelic compound that is naturally found in certain cacti, such as peyote. While both mescaline and psilocybin are hallucinogens, they have distinct differences in their sources, preparation, and effects. Mescaline is typically derived from cacti and has been used for thousands of years, whereas psilocybin is found in certain types of mushrooms and its effects vary depending on the type and amount consumed.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Do mushrooms have mescaline in them? | No, mushrooms contain psilocybin, not mescaline. |
| Mushrooms containing psilocybin | Magic mushrooms, shrooms |
| Psilocybin | A prodrug that, once in the body, loses a phosphate group and is transformed into psilocin, the molecule responsible for the psychedelic properties of mushrooms. |
| Psilocybin sources | Certain types of mushrooms found in tropical and subtropical regions of the United States, Mexico, and South America |
| Psilocybin preparation | Mushrooms can be cooked, boiled into a drink, or eaten raw |
| Psilocybin effects | Heightened sensory awareness, impaired judgment, frightening hallucinations, terror, depression, panic attacks |
| Mescaline sources | Peyote cactus and other cacti |
| Mescaline preparation | The cactus heads are cut away and left to dry, then either submerged in hot water and drunk, or chewed directly |
| Mescaline effects | Altered senses of vision, hearing, time, and space |
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What You'll Learn
Magic mushrooms contain psilocybin, not mescaline
Magic mushrooms, or "shrooms", are well-known for their psychedelic effects. They have been used for centuries in spiritual and religious contexts, with records of their use dating back to the 16th century in Mexico. However, contrary to popular belief, magic mushrooms do not contain mescaline. Instead, they contain psilocybin, a naturally occurring psychedelic compound that belongs to the class of entheogens.
Psilocybin is a prodrug that, when consumed, is quickly metabolised by the body and converted into psilocin. Psilocin is the molecule responsible for the psychedelic properties of magic mushrooms, as it interacts with serotonin receptors in the brain to alter perception, comprehension, and visual acuity. The effects of psilocybin can vary depending on the amount and type of mushroom consumed, but it is known for inducing softer, more organic-looking hallucinations. Additionally, the body has a unique defence mechanism that prevents users from lethally overdosing on psilocybin.
On the other hand, mescaline is a schedule 9 drug, and its use is illegal in Australia. It is typically derived from the peyote cactus and has a bitter taste. Mescaline's chemical name is 3,4,5-trimethoxyphenethylamine, and it structurally resembles amphetamines. Like psilocybin, mescaline also has psychedelic effects and can induce changes in senses of vision, hearing, time, and space. However, some users describe the visual changes of mescaline as brighter and sharper compared to those induced by psilocybin.
While both mescaline and psilocybin are psychedelic compounds with similar effects, they have distinct differences in their sources, chemical structures, and the nature of their hallucinations. It is important to note that the use of any drug, including mescaline and psilocybin, comes with risks and can affect individuals differently based on their mood, setting, and personal history.
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Mescaline is found in certain species of cacti
Mescaline is a hallucinogenic drug with no known therapeutic benefits. It is used recreationally and in religious ceremonies for spiritual purposes by groups such as the Native American Church. Mescaline is derived from several species of cacti, including:
- Lophophora williamsii, also known as Peyote. Peyote grows in the Southwestern United States and Mexico and is used legally by indigenous people. The crowns or "buttons" of the peyote cactus can be removed and are often dried and chewed, powdered, or steeped into a tea.
- Echinopsis pachanoi, the San Pedro cactus. This species is native to South America and is commonly used in rituals.
- Trichocereus peruvianus, the Peruvian torch cactus, which is also native to South America.
- Echinopsis scopulicola (syn. Trichocereus scopulicolus), which contains 0.82% mescaline by dry weight in the outer green layer.
- Echinopsis terscheckii (syn. Trichocereus terscheckii, Trichocereus werdemannianus), which contains between 0.005% and 0.025% mescaline.
Other species of cacti that contain mescaline include Austrocylindropuntia cylindrica (syn. Opuntia cylindrica), Browningia spp. Cylindropuntia echinocarpa (syn. Opuntia echinocarpa), and Cylindropuntia spinosior (syn. Opuntia spinosior).
It is important to note that while mescaline has a long history of traditional use, it is classified as a Schedule I drug in some jurisdictions.
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Mescaline was first identified in 1896
Mescaline, a naturally occurring psychedelic compound, was first identified in 1896 (or 1897, according to another source) when it was isolated from its natural source, the peyote cactus (Lophophora williamsii). Mescaline has a long history of use, with peyote-containing cacti being used for over 6,000 years. In the 16th century, Spaniards observed its effects on the Indians of the Mexican desert plain, noting that it induced visions and provided courage and sustenance during battles.
Mescaline was first synthesized in a laboratory in 1919 by Ernst Späth using 3,4,5-trimethoxybenzoyl chloride. Since then, several other synthesis methods have been developed. From 1920 onwards, mescaline sulphate was available as a pure drug from European pharmacy suppliers.
Mescaline acts on the serotonergic system and is structurally related to amphetamines and the indole ring of psilocybin, the active compound in psychedelic mushrooms. Mescaline is typically consumed orally and has a range of effects, including vivid visual patterns, altered perception of time and self, synesthesia, and spiritual experiences.
While mescaline has a long history and was once a popular substance, its use has declined in recent times, with other psychedelic compounds like LSD and MDMA gaining more attention. However, the use of mescaline-containing cacti, such as peyote and San Pedro, continues to be significant for some groups, including the Native American Church, which uses peyote as its sacrament.
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Mescaline and psilocybin are both psychedelic compounds
Psilocybin can be cooked, boiled into a drink, or eaten raw. It can also be added to chocolate or disguised with honey to mask its bitter flavour. Mescaline is also quite bitter, so it is often prepared as tea by boiling the cacti for several hours.
The effects of these substances on the mind and body are remarkably similar. They can cause intense euphoria and profound self-realisation, as well as heightened sensory awareness and impaired judgment. However, users often describe the effects of these substances as having a slightly different character. For example, some users describe the visual changes of mescaline as more intense, with brighter and sharper images and more angular shapes.
While mescaline and psilocybin have both been used in cultural and spiritual ceremonies, they differ in the degree to which they have been studied in a therapeutic context. Psilocybin has been more extensively studied for its potential clinical use, with researchers hoping to better understand its mechanisms to expand the use of not just magic mushrooms but also the entire entheogen category.
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Psilocybin was first synthesised and tested by Albert Hofmann
Swiss chemist Albert Hofmann (1906–2008) was the first person to synthesise and ingest lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD). He also isolated, named, and synthesised the principal psychedelic mushroom compounds psilocybin and psilocin.
In 1929, Hofmann began working for the pharmaceutical and chemical department of Sandoz Laboratories, where he studied medicinal plants and the fungus ergot as part of a program to synthesise active constituents for use as pharmaceuticals. In 1938, while researching lysergic acid derivatives, he first synthesised LSD.
Hofmann's interest in the chemistry of plants and animals led him to study hallucinogenic substances found in Mexican mushrooms and other plants used by aboriginal people. This led to the isolation and synthesis of psilocybin, the active agent in many "magic mushrooms". In 1958, he synthesised psilocybin and psilocin, the hallucinogenic compounds in the mushroom Psilocybe mexicana.
Hofmann also became interested in the seeds of the Mexican morning glory species Turbina corymbosa, called ololiuqui by natives. He discovered that the active compound of ololiuqui, ergine (LSA, lysergic acid amide), was closely related to LSD. In 1962, he travelled to Mexico to research the plant Salvia divinorum but was unable to discern its actively hallucinogenic components.
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Frequently asked questions
Mescaline is a psychedelic drug that occurs naturally in various cacti species, with concentrations varying widely. It is also found in the peyote cactus and the San Pedro cactus. Mescaline has been used for over 6,000 years and can be consumed orally, nasally, via injection, or by smoking.
No, mushrooms do not contain mescaline. However, certain types of mushrooms contain psilocybin, another hallucinogenic substance. These mushrooms are known as magic mushrooms or shrooms and are found in tropical and subtropical regions of the United States, Mexico, and South America.
Mescaline can induce a psychedelic state with effects similar to LSD and psilocybin but with unique characteristics. It can cause altered thinking processes, an altered sense of time and self-awareness, and visual phenomena. The effects typically last between 9 and 14 hours, with a peak occurring after about 1.6 to 2.3 hours.
