A STUDY ON MESCALINE IN HUMAN SUBJECTS

¹ Biochemical Research Laboratory of the Departments of Neuropsychiatry and Radiology, Washington University, St. Louis, Missouri

The urinary excretion of methoxyl groups was followed quantitatively over an 18-hour period in 5 schizophrenic subjects and 1 neurotic subject after the ingestion of mescaline sulfate. Mescaline was identified in the urinary extracts, and the majority of methoxyl groups determined may be considered to be present as mescaline. Methoxyl groups belonging to breakdown products of mescaline were found in a resin-like residue of the urinary extract.

Orally administered mescaline sulfate (200-400 mgm.) produced visual hallucinations and impairment of color perception. Large doses were associated with greater excretion and more vivid hallucinations than were small doses. The greatest impairment of color vision was observed in those subjects receiving smaller doses.