Psilocybin and Mescaline are two entheogenic (i.e. psychedelic) substances. Among the natural psychedelic substances they are definitely the most powerful! Although they differ on a molecular level and in their effects, we will see how, they have both been used for thousands of years for spiritual, therapeutic and recreational purposes.

Mescaline

Mescaline is a psychoactive substance found in Peyote cactus. It was used by several Native American populations, including the Aztecs who took mescaline before going into battle, to dissolve inhibitions and evoke the spirits of their ancestors.

What are the effects of mescaline? They vary from person to person. However with a standard dose of 200-400 mg it is common to experience visual hallucinations, the sensation that time is passing more slowly, reaching a particular state of self-awareness. Those who have tried mescaline often report entering a psychedelic state in which they saw more vivid colors.

The side effects of mescaline are nausea and vomiting, favored by the particularly bitter taste of peyote. For Native Americans who have used the cactus for thousands of years these are signs of purification, necessary to undertake the initiatory journey. In particular, vomiting has the meaning of expelling evil spirits from the person's body.

On the level of thetherapeutic use There are still very few studies on mescaline, but recently interest in this substance has increased, which gives us hope.

Psilocybin

Psilocybin is the psychoactive substance contained in hallucinogenic mushrooms, over 200 species of fungi present in much of the planet. It seems that this molecule has also been part of the religious ceremonies of populations of all ages and all over the world. According to authors such as Terence McKenna, who developed the so-called "drunken monkey theory”, psilocybin may even have played a key role in the cognitive evolution of humans! Mckenna claims that our ancestors, thanks to magic mushrooms, had experienced for the first time phenomena of expansion of consciousness that would have supported the development of language and culture.

Regardless of this theory, psilocybin has certainly been studied and used since the sixteenth century and has captured the interest of scientists for its particular effects.

The effects of psilocybin They are subjective, but among the most common are certainly the vision of the world in saturated colors, synesthesia (a phenomenon by which colors, sounds and smells are perceived on different levels), sensations of spiritual awakening and hallucinations.

Among the side effects of psilocybin we find nausea and vomiting, as well as the “bad trip” characterized by a persistent sense of anxiety and paranoia.

Nowadays many researchers and doctors are interested in learning more about the Therapeutic qualities of psilocybin and studies on the potential of this molecule are flourishing everywhere, even if it is still too early to reach definitive conclusions.

Differences between psilocybin and mescaline

While the two natural hallucinogenic substances may seem similar, there are some differences between them.

On the effects plan, psilocybin tends to offer a more introspective.For many people, psilocybin use leads to a sense of connection with the universe and with tripping companions and can bring out hidden or forgotten emotions. Visual and auditory hallucinations are common, but often “softer” and related to patterns and color schemes.

Mescaline, on the other hand, has a visual component much stronger, characterized by vibrant colors and geometric patterns that can dominate the entire experience. Mescaline is often described as more "external," with a heightened sensitivity to the physical environment and nature. Many users report a sense of mental clarity, euphoria, and an intense connection to the natural world, which can feel almost divine or sacred.

Even on the level of duration of effects There are some differences. While psilocybin runs its “cycle” in 4-6 hours, a mescaline trip can last up to 12 hours.

From the scientific point of view, both substances affect the receptors of the serotonin in the brain, but in slightly different ways. Psilocybin binds to serotonin receptors, specifically the 5-HT2A receptor, causing the changes in perception and consciousness that characterize the psychedelic experience. Mescaline also acts on these receptors, but has a different chemical structure, being a type of phenylethylamine. This contributes to the difference in the quality and "direction" of the experience.