Macromerine is a psychedelic phenethylamine derivative. It can be synthesized or extracted from the Doñana (Coryphantha macromeris), C. macromeris v. runyonii, C. elephantidens, and other related members of the Cactaceae family. The plants may have been used by Tarahumara shamans for their entheogenic effects.
§Chemistry
Macromerine is in a family of chemicals called the phenethylamines, and it is a close analogue of mescaline. The full chemical name of macromerine is 1-(3,4-dimethoxyphenyl)-2-(dimethylamino)ethanol.
§Effects
Little is known about the psychedelic effects of macromerine. K. Trout states that a bioassay of macromerine-containing cactus, Doñana, "had been very mild and very strange, with many waves of intense nausea and extremely persistent after effects, such as distorted vision and a very weird feeling of unreality lasting for weeks after its use."
However, considering Doñana is usually no more than 0.1 percent macromerine, several pounds of the dried cactus would be required to consume a psychedelic dosage of macromerine. What is more likely is that the combination of all alkaloids present in the cactus produce the effects of Doñana.
§External links
- Narcotic and Hallucinogenic Cacti of the New World By Michael S. Smith June, 1998
- Visionary Cactus Guide
- A Pharmacological Peyote And Other Psychoactive Cacti by Adam Gottleib, 1977