mescaline: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
LowTechnical / Scientific / Academic
Quick answer
What does “mescaline” mean?
A psychoactive alkaloid drug derived from the peyote cactus, known for producing hallucinations.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A psychoactive alkaloid drug derived from the peyote cactus, known for producing hallucinations.
In broader contexts, can refer to the substance itself or experiences induced by it; also used historically in cultural and clinical discussions of psychedelics.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant lexical differences. Spelling is identical. The cultural context of peyote use is more associated with North America.
Connotations
Similar connotations of a classic, natural psychedelic, often referenced in historical or clinical contexts rather than contemporary street drug discussions.
Frequency
Equally low frequency in both dialects, found in similar specialized contexts.
Grammar
How to Use “mescaline” in a Sentence
to take mescalineto be under the influence of mescalineto contain mescalinethe mescaline in peyoteVocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “mescaline” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- The compound was mescalinised for the experiment. (Extremely rare, technical)
adjective
British English
- The mescaline experience was documented. (Attributive noun use)
American English
- They studied mescaline-induced hallucinations. (Compound adjective)
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Virtually never used.
Academic
Used in pharmacology, anthropology, psychology, and history of religion papers.
Everyday
Extremely rare; might appear in discussions of drug policy or history.
Technical
Primary domain: used in chemistry, neuropharmacology, and ethnobotany.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “mescaline”
Strong
Neutral
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “mescaline”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “mescaline”
- Misspelling as 'mescalin' (less common).
- Pronouncing it /mɛˈskɑːlin/.
- Confusing it with the drink 'mescal' or 'tequila'.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Mescaline is a controlled substance (Schedule I in the US, Class A in the UK) with very limited exceptions for religious use by certain groups.
Peyote is a cactus. Mescaline is the primary psychoactive chemical compound found within that cactus.
Effects typically last 10 to 12 hours, with the peak occurring several hours after ingestion.
The German chemist Arthur Heffter first isolated mescaline from peyote in 1897.
A psychoactive alkaloid drug derived from the peyote cactus, known for producing hallucinations.
Mescaline is usually technical / scientific / academic in register.
Mescaline: in British English it is pronounced /ˈmɛskəliːn/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈmɛskəˌlin/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “None standard. Historical phrase 'mescaline trip' exists but is dated.”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think: MESCALine – like the drink 'mescal', but it's a LINE of molecules that causes visions.
Conceptual Metaphor
MIND-EXPANDING SUBSTANCE; KEY TO ALTERED REALITY; CHEMICAL WINDOW.
Practice
Quiz
Mescaline is primarily classified as what type of substance?