Peyote (Mescaline) and Human Chromosomes
Arthur D. Bloom
JAMA October 20, 1975 DOI: 10.1001/jama.1975.03260160061019 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Observational study Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Population | Huichol Indians of northern Mexico, lifelong users of peyote |
| Topics | Mescaline |
| Keywords | Chromosomal analysis Psychoanalysis Genetics |
| Citations | 4 |
| Key findings | No increase in chromosomal aberrations was found in the peripheral-blood lymphocytes of lifelong peyote users. |
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
Comparable studies
Other observational and cohort studies on mescaline, most cited first.
| Study | Year | Design | Participants |
|---|---|---|---|
| Psychedelics not linked to mental health problems or suicidal behavior: A population study Randomly selected United States adults | 2015 | Observational cohort | n = 135,095 |
| Long-lasting subjective effects of LSD in normal subjects Healthy participants | 2017 | Observational cohort | n = 16 |
| Psychological and cognitive effects of long-term peyote use among Native Americans. Navajo Native Americans aged 18-45 | 2005 | Observational cohort | n = 176 |
| Mescaline-induced psychopathological, neuropsychological, and neurometabolic effects in normal subjects: experimental psychosis as a tool for psychiatric research. Normal men who were volunteers | 1992 | Observational cohort | n = 12 |
| 2,5-Dimethoxy-4-methyl-amphetamine (STP): A New Hallucinogenic Drug Normal control volunteers | 1967 | Observational study |