In mice, a low dose (0.27 mg/kg) of the hallucinogenic tryptamine analog 5-MeO-MiPT did not cause serious histopathological effects on the liver, kidney, or brain. A high dose (2.7 mg/kg) induced apoptotic cell death through caspase activity, with significant increases in Caspase-3 and Caspase-8 positive cells in the liver, kidney, and brain compared to controls. Blood concentrations of 5-MeO-MiPT ranged from 2.7 to 13.4 ng/mL, with higher levels in the liver (15.2-108.3 ng/g) and lower levels in the brain (1.5-40.6 ng/g). The findings suggest that high doses trigger programmed cell death via caspase pathways.
Mescaline, a psychoactive hallucinogen alkaloid from the peyote cactus, resembles natural neurotransmitters epinephrine and dopamine. Peyote has been used for centuries by residents of Mexico and the southwestern United States in rituals. Following the Syrian civil war, many Syrian refugees immigrated to southern Turkish cities, where they interact intensely with local youth, especially novelty-seeking, drug-addicted teens.