One of the Oldest Psychedelics Just Had Its Brain Effects Mapped for the First Time

A rat fMRI study mapped how mescaline changes brain activity and connectivity.

Mescaline reduced activity in parts of the cerebellum while strengthening links to the hippocampus, thalamus, somatosensory cortex, and midbrain.

The drug also blunted the brain’s normal response to a familiar odor, suggesting disrupted sensory gating.

The findings offer the first mapped evidence for how mescaline may alter bodily awareness and perception.