Mescaline abuse via peyote cactus: the first case report in Turkey
Anatolian Journal of Psychiatry – January 01, 2016
Source: OpenAlex
Summary
Mescaline, a potent hallucinogen derived from peyote cactus, has been used for centuries in traditional medicine by Indigenous peoples in Mexico and the southwestern United States. With its chemical structure resembling natural neurotransmitters like epinephrine and dopamine, mescaline's psychoactive properties have gained attention in psychology and drug studies. Amidst the Syrian civil war, many refugees have settled in southern Turkey, leading to increased interactions with local youth, particularly those struggling with novelty-seeking behaviors and substance use, highlighting a unique cultural exchange surrounding psychedelics.
Abstract
Mescaline,β-3,4,5-trimethoxy phenethylamin, is a psycho-active hallucinogen alkalloid extracted from cactus of peyote that resemble natural neurotransmitters epinephrine and dopamine. Peyote is a long-time expanding herb in the desert sand area along Texas and Mexico region and continues to be used hundreds of years by Residents of Mexico and South-western America for rituals. Following the civil war in Syria, large number of refugees from Syria where is the neighboring country immigrated to southern cities of Turkey. These people have intense interactions with young individuals living in Turkey, particularly for novelty seeking drug-addicted teens.