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[email protected] 184 Current Molecular Pharmacology, 2019, 12, 184-194 REVIEW ARTICLE ISSN: 1874-4672 eISSN: 1874-4702 Impact Factor: Pharmacokinetic and Pharmacodynamic Aspects of Peyote and Mescaline: 1.596 Clinical and Forensic Repercussions BENTHAM SCIENCE Ricardo Jorge Dinis-Oliveira1,2,3,*, Carolina Lança Pereira1 and Diana Dias da Silva1,2 1IINFACTS - Institute of Research and Advanced Training in Health Sciences and Technologies, Department of Sci- ences, University Institute of Health Sciences (IUCS), CESPU, Rua Central de Gandra, 1317, 4585-116 Gandra PRD, Portugal; 2UCIBIO/REQUIMTE, Laboratory of Toxicology, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Porto, Rua Jorge Viterbo Ferreira, 228, Porto, 4050-313, Portugal; 3Department of Public Health and Forensic Sciences, and Medical Education, Faculty of Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Porto, Alameda Prof. Hernâni Monteiro, 4200-319 Porto, Portugal Abstract: Background: Mescaline (3,4,5-trimethoxyphenethylamine), mainly found in the Peyote cac- tus (Lophophora williamsii), is one of the oldest known hallucinogenic agents that influence human and animal behavior, but its psychoactive mechanisms remain poorly understood. Objectives: This article aims to fully review pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics of mescaline, focusing on the in vivo and in vitro metabolic profile of the drug and its implications for the variability of response. Methods: Mescaline pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic aspects were searched in books and in PubMed (U.S. National Library of Medicine) without a limiting period. Biological effects of other compounds found in peyote were also reviewed. A R T I C L E H I S T O R Y Results: Although its illicit administration is less common, in comparison with cocaine and Cannabis, it has been extensively described in adolescents and young adults, and licit consumption often occurs in religious and therapeutic rituals practiced by the Native American Church.