Mescaline is a psychoactive compound found in multiple cacti species. Each species provides its own interpretation of the mescaline experience. How do the effects differ from species to species? We searched it out.

THE DIFFERENCES IN MESCALINE

Mescaline can differ in a number of ways. For example, it can take a different form after ingestion; it can be used unprocessed and in the simplest way, but it can also be processed in which the essential alkaloids are isolated. Favorite natural methods are dried cactus chips or traditional, multiple reduced brews. Teas or capsules with dried and pulverized flesh are less heavy for your stomach. With a bit of chemical knowledge you can make high-quality extracts at home with readily available household products. For example, mescaline hydrochloride is a white crystalline powder that actually consists of pure mescaline. For these methods you need acids and alkalis and therefore you have to be extremely careful. Mescalineacetate is a sticky orange-colored resin that usually consists of 97% pure mescaline. The acetate version contains all the alkaloids that the cactus has to offer. It is also food safe and it is less dangerous to make than the hydrochloride. Whether you ultimately prefer pure mescaline or nuanced mescaline depends on your personal preference. But why not try both if you have enough cactus?

THE DIFFERENCES IN EFFECT

The effects of mescaline vary from species to species and from cactus to cactus. As with cannabis, there is something you could call the "central, distinctive effect." Then there are nuances and differences, modulations and variations from plant to plant. These reactions depend on the strength of the mescaline and the presence of other exogenous compounds. The main effect of mescaline is an enhanced sense of emotional and mental flow. The visual acuity increases and colors become more intense. Naturally growing green plants appear to be wild fluorescent and the sky seems to show a unique play of colors. There is a distinct sense of "being in the now," which is significantly enhanced by a noticeable decrease in mental noise. On the psychedelic peak, which can last for hours, each person will experience a unique reaction to mescaline. Some of them cruise pleasantly, with the pupils dilated and a blissful smile on the face, inspired by personal hallucinations. Others have to move because the intensity is overwhelming. In this case, it is wise to seek nature to experience the silence and splendor. Or dance on it! Members of the Peyote and Trichocereus family can differ considerably in their interpretation of the central mescaline motif. The health of the plant also plays a role in the density of the alkaloids. Well-groomed cacti are often more powerful per gram than ignored cacti and they also grow faster.

WHICH CACTUS CONTAINS MESCALINE?

As far as is known today, there are 16 types of cacti that contain mescaline. Below is a list listing the plants with their current scientific names. Until recently, some cacti had another name. Of these species we also call the old name, because many cacti are still sold under their old, well-known name, also in botanical gardens. With this overview we have at least a valuable tool in our hands.

Current Name	Old Name	Also Known As
Aztekium ritteri
Cereus jamacaru
Echinopsis lageniformis	Trichocereus bridgesii	Bolivian Torch
Echinopsis peruviana	Trichocereus peruvianus	Peruvian Torch
Echinopsis pachanoi	Trichocereus pachanoi	San Pedro
Echinopsis cuzcoensis	Trichocereus cuzcoensis
Echinopsis deserticola	Trichocereus fulvilanus
Echinopsis macrogona	Trichocereus macrogonus
Echinopsis spachiana	Trichocereus spachianus
Echinopsis strigosa	Trichocereus strigosus
Echinopsis tacaquirensis subsp. taquimbalensis	Trichocereus taquimbalensis
Echinopsis terscheckii	Trichocereus terscheckii
Echinopsis valida	Trichocereus validus
Echinopsis werdermanniana	Trichocereus werdermannianus
Eriosyce islayensis	Islaya minor
Gymnocalycium calochlorum
Gymnocalycium comarapense
Gymnocalycium gibbosum
Gymnocalycium horridispinum
Gymnocalycium netrelianum
Gymnocalycium riograndense
Gymnocalycium striglianum
Gymnocalycium uebelmannianum
Gymnocalycium valnicekianum
Gymnocalycium vatteri
Lophophora williamsii		Peyote
Lophophora diffusa
Myrtillocactus geometrizans
Opuntia acanthocarpa
Opuntia cylindria
Opuntia basilaris
Opuntia echinocarpa
Opuntia ficus-indica
Opuntia imbricata
Opuntia spinosior
Pachycereus gaumeri	Pterocereus gaumeri
Pelecyphora aselliformis
Pereskia corrugata
Pereskia tampicana
Pereskiopsis scandens
Polaskia chende
Stenocereus beneckei
Stenocereus eruca	Machaerocereus eruca
Stenocereus stellatus
Stenocereus treleasei
Stetsonia coryne
Turbinicarpus lophophoroides
Turbinicarpus pseudomacrochele
Turbinicarpus pseudopectinatus	Turbinicarpus schmiedickeanus

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