Breaking bad buttons: mescaline biosynthesis in peyote
Gwendolyn K. Kirschner
The Plant Journal October 20, 2023 DOI: 10.1111/tpj.16503 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Topics | Mescaline |
| Keywords | Phenethylamine Stereochemistry |
| Citations | 2 |
| Key points | Peyote produces mescaline, a phenethylamine protoalkaloid, and its dried "buttons" have been used in Indigenous religious ceremonies for over 5800 years. The text notes that mescaline is now being tested in clinical trials and suggests its longer-lasting effects might provide greater therapeutic benefits than other psychedelic drugs. |
Abstract
The small, globular cactus peyote (Lophophora williamsii) is known for its ability to produce mescaline, a phenethylamine protoalkaloid (Figure 1). Consuming the mescaline-containing dried tops or “buttons” of peyote has a psychedelic effect that has been used in religious ceremonies by Indigenous communities for over 5800 years (Cassels & Sáez-Briones, 2018). Nowadays, psychedelic drugs are used for treatment of mental disorders such as depression, anxiety, or post-traumatic stress disorder. Mescaline is currently being tested in clinical trials, as its effects are longer lasting than those of other psychedelic drugs and might therefore provide greater therapeutic benefits (Bender, 2022).
Citations in the library
Cites 3
- Dark Classics in Chemical Neuroscience: Mescaline ACS Chemical Neuroscience May 30, 2018
- Elucidation of the mescaline biosynthetic pathway in peyote (Lophophora williamsii). The Plant Journal November 1, 2023
- The Alkaloids from Lophophora diffusa and Other "False Peyotes". Journal of Natural Products August 27, 2021