Mescaline: Its effects on learning rate and dopamine metabolism in goldfish (Carassius auratus)
Cellular and Molecular Life Sciences November 1, 1976 E. A. Zeller, Gregory S. Couper, Shankar V. Huprikar et al. 1 citation
Mescaline initially boosted learning rates in goldfish given high doses, but smaller doses over three days impaired their ability to avoid electric shocks. Apomorphine and L-dopa produced similar short-term improvements, while fluphenazine reduced avoidance. The authors suggest mescaline triggers dopamine release that stimulates central dopaminergic systems; then monoamine oxidase destroys the liberated dopamine, and the resulting dopamine deficit likely causes the behavioral changes seen in the chronic experiment.