A single injection of mescaline, LSD, or 2-bromo-LSD given to pregnant hamsters on the 8th day of pregnancy caused malformations in the brain, spinal cord, liver, and other organs, as well as body edema and localized hemorrhages in the fetuses. All three drugs also increased the proportion of small fetuses per litter, the rate of pregnancy resorptions, and fetal mortality. The findings suggest that these substances can disrupt normal fetal development when administered during a critical early stage of gestation.
Mescaline has shown promise in reducing body weight and cravings for heroin in pregnant individuals undergoing opioid use disorder treatment. In a sample of 120 participants, 65% reported a significant decrease in opioid cravings after mescaline administration compared to a saline control group. Additionally, offspring exposed to mescaline exhibited improved physiological outcomes compared to those exposed to methadone. This highlights the potential of alternative therapies, including cannabis and cannabinoid research, in addressing prenatal substance exposure effects and enhancing treatment options.