A tetrahydrobis(benzofuran) mescaline analogue was synthesized in six steps with a 38% overall yield starting from (4'-O-methyl)methyl gallate. The key step involved a tandem cyclization reaction using directed C–H activation followed by olefin insertion. This approach demonstrates an efficient route to a tricyclic compound related to mescaline.
A study investigated the rate of serious emotional disturbance among members of an American Indian religion that uses peyote, a hallucinogenic plant containing mescaline. Despite many reports of such disturbances caused by similar drugs, the rate in this population was very low. The authors suggest this is because the feelings evoked by the drug experience are channeled by church belief and practice into ego-strengthening directions, and there are built-in safeguards against bad reactions.