Blood Flow and Cerebral Laterality in the Mescaline Model of Psychosis
Pharmacopsychiatry July 1, 1998 Leo Hermle, Euphrosyne Gouzoulis‐mayfrank, Matthew W. Spitzer 44 citations
In 12 healthy men, mescaline triggered an acute psychotomimetic state resembling psychosis, measured by psychiatric scales, and specifically affected visual perception. Neuropsychological tests showed reduced right-hemisphere function, while brain imaging revealed increased frontal lobe activity, especially on the right side, which correlated with the psychotic-like symptoms. These results challenge the idea that reduced frontal lobe activity (hypofrontality) explains acute psychotic symptoms.