Effects of intraocular mescaline and LSD on visual-evoked responses in the rat
Pharmacology Biochemistry and Behavior January 1, 1989 Janis T. Eells, Douglas M. Wilkison 10 citations
Mescaline and LSD reduce the primary component of the flash-evoked cortical potential in rats, with the strongest effect 60-90 minutes after injection, suggesting impaired signal transmission through the visual pathway from retina to cortex. Serotonin receptor antagonists cyproheptadine and methysergide block mescaline's effect, supporting evidence that mescaline acts as a partial serotonin receptor agonist. Atropine, whether applied topically or injected into the eye, also blocks systemically administered mescaline. Direct injection of mescaline or LSD into the eye similarly attenuates the evoked potential, indicating these hallucinogens affect retinal visual processing through muscarinic receptor modulation.