mescaline
|mes-ca-line|
🇺🇸
/ˈmɛskəˌliːn/
🇬🇧
/ˈmɛskəlɪn/
peyote-derived psychedelic alkaloid
Etymology
'mescaline' originates from Spanish 'mescal' (also spelled 'mezcal') plus the chemical suffix '-ine', ultimately from Nahuatl 'mexcalli' meaning 'oven-cooked agave'.
'mescaline' was coined in the late 19th century to name the alkaloid isolated from peyote; Spanish 'mescal/mezcal' comes from Nahuatl 'mexcalli' (literally 'cooked agave'), and the suffix '-ine' was added in English/French scientific naming to indicate an alkaloid or chemical.
Originally related to a drink or preparation made from agave ('mescal/mezcal'), the term evolved in scientific usage to refer specifically to the psychedelic alkaloid isolated from peyote and similar cacti; its modern meaning is the chemical/psychedelic substance 'mescaline'.
Meanings by Part of Speech
Noun 1
a naturally occurring psychedelic alkaloid (3,4,5-trimethoxyphenethylamine) found in peyote and some other cacti, known for producing hallucinations and altered states of consciousness.
The chemist isolated mescaline from the peyote cactus.
Synonyms
Noun 2
informal: the subjective experience or effects produced by taking mescaline (e.g., 'a mescaline trip').
He described his mescaline as a frightening but enlightening experience.
Synonyms
Last updated: 2025/11/14 00:33