Mescaline half-life

A modern placebo-controlled study measured mescaline for 30 hours and reported an approximately 3.5-hour plasma elimination half-life.

Category: psychedelic · Updated: August 7, 2026

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Model status3.5 hParent mescaline in plasma · short representative value
Reported rangeNot displayedPublished when the current evidence record supports a readable range
Model scopeRelative declineNormalized first-order model, not an in-body concentration estimate
References2Linked studies, labels, reviews, or identity records described below
Relative starting point
100%

Every curve begins at 100%. No dose or measured body concentration is assumed.

0m3.5h7h11h14h18h0%25%50%75%100%X-axis: elapsed timeY-axis: amount remaining (%)

X-axis: elapsed time. Y-axis: modeled percentage of the relative starting point remaining. This is a mathematical visualization, not a personal concentration estimate.

Modeled remaining: 50.0%Half-life used: 3.5 h

Mescaline: evidence and interpretation notes

The pharmacokinetic question

A modern placebo-controlled study measured mescaline for 30 hours and reported an approximately 3.5-hour plasma elimination half-life. Subjective effects lasted much longer and increased with dose, making this a particularly clear half-life-versus-duration example.

The calculator follows Parent mescaline in plasma with a 3.5-hour half-life. That simplification is useful for curve shape and comparison, but it is not an individualized pharmacokinetic estimate.

Mescaline may have subjective effects that diverge from parent-compound plasma half-life. The curve is best used to compare pharmacokinetic persistence, not experience length, intensity, or psychological risk.

What each source contributes

  • PubChem: Mescaline. This identity record confirms names and compound identity and does not supply a human half-life.
  • Acute dose-dependent effects of mescaline in a double-blind placebo-controlled study in healthy subjects. This human pharmacokinetic record adds measured route, analyte, and population context and does not become a universal result.

For Mescaline, the numerical model is tied most closely to Acute dose-dependent effects of mescaline in a double-blind placebo-controlled study in healthy subjects. As a human pharmacokinetic record, it adds measured route, analyte, and population context; it does not become a universal result.

Why there is no range on the chart

This profile plots 3.5 hours for Parent mescaline in plasma without adding an unsourced high-low band. A single supported center is more honest than manufacturing a range from unrelated routes, populations, or formulations.

InterpretationReading the curve and its category context

Reading this curve

HalfLifeDB uses 3.5 h as a representative input for Parent mescaline in plasma. In the simplified model, about 0.9% remains after 24 hours and about 3% remains after five half-lives, or roughly 17.5 h.

This is a short curve. The modeled amount changes noticeably over the same day, while effects, metabolites, and safety questions can still follow a different timeline. The curve is relative: it does not estimate a person's measured concentration, effects, impairment, or time to clearance.

psychedelic context

Psychedelic duration is shaped by pharmacodynamics as well as pharmacokinetics, so subjective effects may not track a simple elimination curve.

  • The curve does not predict psychological effects or functional safety.
  • Metabolites and downstream receptor activity are not separately modeled.
  • Published estimates may come from small or specialized study populations.
ComparisonTimeline checkpoints and nearby profiles

Mescaline timeline checkpoints

Elapsed timeModeled remainingReading note
6 h30.5%Long-tail portion of the model
12 h9.29%Low modeled remainder, not a clearance guarantee
24 h0.86%Low modeled remainder, not a clearance guarantee
2.0 days0.01%Low modeled remainder, not a clearance guarantee
3.0 days0.00%Low modeled remainder, not a clearance guarantee

Nearby profiles by half-life

These entries sit near Mescaline within the psychedelic group when sorted by representative half-life. That makes them curve comparisons, not statements about equal potency, effects, or risk.

EvidencePharmacokinetic inputs and source trail

Pharmacokinetics at a glance

Representative half-life3.5 h
Modeled analyte or phaseParent mescaline in plasma
Curve typeNormalized, first-order decline

Selection note: A modern placebo-controlled study measured mescaline for 30 hours and reported an approximately 3.5-hour plasma elimination half-life. Subjective effects lasted much longer and increased with dose, making this a particularly clear half-life-versus-duration example.

Sources and evidence context

A linked record is not automatically proof of the displayed value. Study, labeling, review, and compound identity sources serve different purposes; notes below identify limitations when they are known.

1 PubMed0 PMC0 DailyMed1 PubChem
  1. Identity record PubChem Compound Summary: Mescaline.
    Compound identity and naming record. It supplies chemistry context, not independent numerical support for the model.
  2. Research abstract PubMed: Acute dose-dependent effects of mescaline in a double-blind placebo-controlled study in healthy subjects.
    Direct pharmacokinetic context. Population, route, formulation, analyte, and sampling duration still determine how broadly the result can be applied.
BoundariesWhat this page cannot answer and where to continue

What this page does not answer

  • It does not estimate impairment, intoxication, or fitness to drive.
  • It does not predict urine, blood, saliva, or hair test results.
  • It does not model repeated exposure, tolerance, withdrawal, or interactions.
  • It does not replace clinician, pharmacist, toxicologist, or emergency guidance.

Continue with context

Read the medical disclaimer, methodology, and research standards before using the model for comparison.