Methallylescaline

Methallylescaline, also known as MAL or 4-methallyloxy-3,5-dimethoxyphenethylamine, is a synthetic psychedelic in the mescaline-derived scaline family. It is structurally related to mescaline and allylescaline, but has a methallyloxy group at the 4-position of the phenyl ring. Its human effects are described mainly in anecdotal reports; direct pharmacological and clinical research remains limited.

Chemistry and relationship to mescaline

Methallylescaline contains the 3,5-dimethoxyphenethylamine backbone found in mescaline analogues. The 4-position carries a methallyloxy substituent, which differs from the allyloxy group in allylescaline by an additional methyl group. This change affects the size and shape of the side chain while leaving the core phenethylamine structure intact.

It is a member of the scaline family, which includes escaline and proscaline. The alpha-methylated counterpart of methallylescaline belongs to the related 3C-scaline group.

Pharmacology

A 2022 in-vitro study examined several scalines and 3C-scalines at serotonin receptors and other monoamine targets. The study reported that extending the 4-alkoxy substituent generally increased binding affinity and activation potency at 5-HT_2A and 5-HT_2C receptors across the compounds examined. It also found little potent affinity at the non-serotonergic targets included in the assay (Kolaczynska and colleagues, 2022).

These laboratory findings help explain why changes to the 4-position side chain can alter the pharmacology of mescaline analogues. They do not establish the intensity or character of methallylescaline’s effects in humans.

Subjective effects

The PsychonautWiki profile of methallylescaline draws mainly on anecdotal comparisons with mescaline and other scalines. There are too few detailed accounts to establish a consistent pattern of effects.

Visual and cognitive effects

Descriptions associated with the compound include changes in visual detail, colour perception and thought patterns. Introspection, emotional shifts and altered time perception are also mentioned. These are individual reports rather than effects confirmed in controlled studies.

Physical effects

Some reports mention stimulation, nausea, bodily tension and changes in heart rate. The available evidence does not establish how common these effects are or how they compare with those of allylescaline and escaline.

Toxicity and research limitations

No controlled human study has established the pharmacokinetics, acute toxic range or long-term effects of methallylescaline. Clinical toxicology data specific to the compound are also scarce. Receptor findings for other scalines can provide context, but they do not replace direct evidence about this substance.

The reported 5-HT_2A and 5-HT_2C activity is consistent with psychedelic potential. It does not, by itself, establish the risk of cardiovascular complications or other adverse outcomes in humans.

Related compounds

Methallylescaline is related to Allylescaline, Escaline and Proscaline. It differs from allylescaline by an additional methyl group on the allyloxy substituent.