Species of cactus: Lophophora williamsii
Location: south Texas and Mexico
Toxin: mescaline (a phenylethylamine), other phenylethylamines, and isoquinoline alkaloids
Method of ingestion:
(1) chewing the dried cactus (mescal button)
(2) brewed into a tea
Clinical findings:
(1) nausea and vomiting shortly after ingestion
(2) rarely diarrhea
(3) sympathomimetic effect (mydriasis, mild tachycardia, hypertension, diaphoresis, tremor)
(4) nystagmus
(5) ataxia
(6) vivid visual hallucinations
(7) anxiety or panic attacks
(8) risk of self-inflicted or accidental trauma
(9) hypertension, bradycardia and respiratory depression with high doses
