Lophophine

Use and effects

Alexander Shulgin reported in his publications that lophophine is active in the dose range of 150 to 250mg orally. He states that at these doses, lophophine has some similarity to mescaline in action, in producing a peaceful elevation of mood, euphoria, and mild enhancement of visual perception, but without the generation of closed-eye mental imagery. Shulgin also notes that, in contrast to mescaline, lophophine causes no nausea. He estimated that it was about twice the potency of mescaline.

Interactions

Chemistry

Lophophine, also known as 3-methoxy-4,5-methylenedioxyphenethylamine, is a phenethylamine and methylenedioxyphenethylamine (MDxx) derivative.

Synthesis

The chemical synthesis of lophophine has been described.

Analogues

Analogues of lophophine (5-methoxy-MDPEA or 2C-MMDA-1) include mescaline (3,4,5-trimethoxyphenethylamine), 3,4-methylenedioxyphenethylamine (MDPEA), 2C-MMDA-2 (MMDPEA-2), 2C-MMDA-3a (MMDPEA-3a), and MMDA (5-methoxy-MDA), among others.

Natural occurrence

Alexander Shulgin originally suggested that lophophine may be a natural constituent of peyote (Lophophora williamsii) due to it being the only logical chemical intermediate for the biosynthesis of several tetrahydroisoquinolines known to be present in this cactus species. Subsequently, lophophine was indeed shown to be a minor component of both peyote and San Pedro cactus.

History

Lophophine was encountered as a novel designer drug in Europe in 2023.

Society and culture

Legal status

Canada

Lophophine is controlled substance in Canada under phenethylamine blanket-ban language.

United States

Lophophine is not an explicitly controlled substance in the United States. However, it could be considered a controlled substance under the Federal Analogue Act if intended for human consumption.

References

References

1. "Лофофин (lophophine)".
2. (1976). "Psychopharmacological Agents: Use, Misuse and Abuse". Academic Press.
3. A. Shulgin and A. Shulgin. (1991). "Pihkal". Transform Press.
4. (June 2008). "Ecstasy analogues found in cacti". [[Journal of Psychoactive Drugs]].
5. "Controlled Drugs and Substances Act".
6. (January 2026). "Orange Book: List of Controlled Substances and Regulated Chemicals (January 2026)". U.S. [[Department of Justice]]: [[Drug Enforcement Administration]] (DEA): Diversion Control Division.