Peyote (Mescaline) and Human Chromosomes

A study of lifelong peyote users among the Huichol Indians of northern Mexico found no increase in chromosomal aberrations in their peripheral-blood lymphocytes, providing reassuring evidence that in vivo studies of possible chromosomal mutagens can yield clear-cut negative results. The findings address concerns from the late 1960s and early 1970s about chromosomal damage from psychoactive agents like LSD and marihuana, though the authors caution against heavier experimentation with peyote or mescaline based on this apparent absence of chromosomal effects.

Study at a glance

Abstract

Given the controversy of the late 1960s and early 1970s over the possible induction of chromosomal damage by psycho-active agents like LSD and marihuana, the peyote study of Teplitz et al (p 299), is reassuring. It is, first of all, comforting to know that in vivo studies of agents that are possible chromosomal mutagens can produce, when properly designed and executed, clear-cut results. Second, it is nice to know that these results can sometimes be negative. The authors have not demonstrated any increase in chromosomal aberrations in the peripheral-blood lymphocytes of the Huichol Indians of northern Mexico, lifelong users of the hallucinogen peyote, a mescaline-containing cactus. (We may now only hope that there will be no mad rush, among our younger generation in particular, to experiment more heavily with peyote or with the chemically purer mescaline by dint of this apparent absence of chromosomal effects.) One of the major questions