Stimulation of human prolactin secretion by mescaline

Area of Science:

• Endocrinology
• Neuropharmacology

Background:

• Prolactin (PRL) and Growth Hormone (GH) are key pituitary hormones.
• Understanding the effects of psychoactive substances on endocrine function is crucial.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the impact of mescaline and a related non-hallucinogenic compound on human PRL and GH secretion.
• To differentiate the endocrine effects of mescaline from its structural analog.

Main Methods:

• Oral administration of 5 mg/kg mescaline or 2,3,4-TMPEA to human subjects.
• Measurement of serum Prolactin (PRL) and Growth Hormone (GH) concentrations over time.

Main Results:

• Mescaline administration led to a >4-fold increase in serum PRL, peaking at 90-120 minutes post-ingestion.
• Sustained elevation of serum PRL was observed up to 5 hours after mescaline intake.
• Mescaline also stimulated Growth Hormone (GH) secretion.
• No significant alterations in serum PRL or GH were detected after administration of 2,3,4-TMPEA.

Conclusions:

• Mescaline potently stimulates both Prolactin and Growth Hormone secretion in humans.
• The hallucinogenic properties of mescaline may be linked to its observed endocrine effects.
• The non-hallucinogenic analog 2,3,4-TMPEA does not share these endocrine-stimulating properties.