Mescaline abuse via peyote cactus: the first case report in Turkey

Mescaline, a psychoactive hallucinogen alkaloid from the peyote cactus, resembles natural neurotransmitters epinephrine and dopamine. Peyote has been used for centuries by residents of Mexico and the southwestern United States in rituals. Following the Syrian civil war, many Syrian refugees immigrated to southern Turkish cities, where they interact intensely with local youth, especially novelty-seeking, drug-addicted teens.

Study at a glance

Abstract

Mescaline,β-3,4,5-trimethoxy phenethylamin, is a psycho-active hallucinogen alkalloid extracted from cactus of peyote that resemble natural neurotransmitters epinephrine and dopamine. Peyote is a long-time expanding herb in the desert sand area along Texas and Mexico region and continues to be used hundreds of years by Residents of Mexico and South-western America for rituals. Following the civil war in Syria, large number of refugees from Syria where is the neighboring country immigrated to southern cities of Turkey. These people have intense interactions with young individuals living in Turkey, particularly for novelty seeking drug-addicted teens.