Abstract
Introduction
Mescaline (3,4,5-trimethoxyphenethylamine) is one of the oldest hallucinogens, with evidence of use dating back 5700 years. Mescaline is a naturally occurring alkaloid found in cacti, mainly in the peyote cactus (Lophophora williamsii) and in the cacti of the Echinopsis genus. Since the prohibition of psychoactive substances in the early 70s, research on mescaline and other classical psychedelics has been limited.

Objectives
This article aims to review the pharmacology and behavioural effects of mescaline, focusing on preclinical and clinical research.

Findings
Mescaline is a serotonin 5HT2A/2C receptor agonist, with its main hallucinogenic effects being mediated via its 5HT2A receptor agonist action. It also exerts effects via agonist binding at ?1A/2A noradrenaline and D1/2/3 dopamine receptors. Overall, mescaline has anxiolytic-like effects in animals and increases prosocial behaviour, locomotion, and response reactivity. In humans, mescaline can induce euphoria, hallucinations, improvements in well-being and mental health conditions, and psychotomimetic effects in a naturalistic or religious setting.

Conclusion
The pharmacological mechanisms of mescaline are similar to those of other classical psychedelics, like psilocybin and lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD). Mescaline appears to be safe to consume, with most intoxications being mild and easily treatable. Improvement in mental well-being and its ability to overcome alcoholism render mescaline potentially beneficial in clinical settings.

Mescaline: The forgotten psychedelic https://link.researcher-app.com/AwyE – via Researcher (@ResearcherApp)

This review provides a brief discussion on the historical use of psychedelic medicines, the status of the empirical evidence, and numerous significant policy considerations that must be thoughtfully addressed regarding standards of practice, consumer protection, development of data standards, safeguarding access, and community education which supports the responsible, accountable, safe, and ethical uses of these medicines in clinical, faith-based, and other contexts. We provide suggestions for how public health and harm reduction can be supported through a public-private partnership that engages a community of stakeholders from various disciplines in the co-creation and dissemination of best practices and public policies.

Will psychedelics be ‘a revolution in psychiatry’? https://link.researcher-app.com/yajk – via Researcher (@ResearcherApp)

https://paulstamets.com/news/just-published-adults-who-microdose

https://www.psypost.org/2021/10/psychedelic-use-associated-with-lower-odds-of-heart-disease-and-diabetes-study-finds-61958?utm_source=dlvr.it&utm_medium=facebook

The phenomenon of ‘microdosing’, that is, regular ingestion of very small quantities of psychedelic substances, has seen a rapid explosion of popularity in recent years. Individuals who microdose report minimal acute effects from these substances yet claim a range of long-term general health and wellbeing benefits. There have been no published empirical studies of microdosing and the current legal and bureaucratic climate makes direct empirical investigation of the effects of psychedelics difficult. In Study One we conducted a systematic, observational investigation of individuals who microdose. We tracked the experiences of 98 microdosing participants, who provided daily ratings of psychological functioning over a six week period. 63 of these additionally completed a battery of psychometric measures tapping mood, attention, wellbeing, mystical experiences, personality, creativity, and sense of agency, at baseline and at completion of the study. Analyses of daily ratings revealed a general increase in reported psychological functioning across all measures on dosing days but limited evidence of residual effects on following days. Analyses of pre and post study measures revealed reductions in reported levels of depression and stress; lower levels of distractibility; increased absorption; and increased neuroticism. To better understand these findings, in Study Two we investigated pre-existing beliefs and expectations about the effects of microdosing in a sample of 263 naïve and experienced microdosers, so as to gauge expectancy bias. All participants believed that microdosing would have large and wide-ranging benefits in contrast to the limited outcomes reported by actual microdosers. Notably, the effects believed most likely to change were unrelated to the observed pattern of reported outcomes. The current results suggest that dose controlled empirical research on the impacts of microdosing on mental health and attentional capabilities are needed.

Source: A systematic study of microdosing psychedelics

Numerous anecdotal reports suggest that repeated use of very low doses of lysergicacid diethylamide (LSD), known as “microdosing,” improves mood and cognitive function.These effects are consistent both with the known actions of LSD on serotonin receptors,and with limited evidence that higher doses of LSD (100-200 μg) positively bias emotionprocessing. Yet, the effects of such sub-threshold doses of LSD have not been testedin a controlled laboratory setting. As a first step, we examined the effects of singlevery low doses of LSD (0 – 26μg) on mood and behavior in healthy volunteers underdouble-blind conditions.

Source: Acute subjective and behavioral effects of microdoses of LSD in healthy human volunteers – Biological Psychiatry