Peyote, a small cactus with button-like shapes, is found in Mexico and the southern United States. The peyote plant contains powerful substances like mescaline, which give it hallucinogenic properties.
Historically, peyote has been important in the spiritual and ritual practices of Native Americans. Nowadays, it’s also used for recreational purposes by some people. There’s ongoing research into peyote’s possible benefits, although this research is still at an early stage. Both peyote and mescaline pose certain risks and consuming the cactus can lead to side effects for some individuals.
This guide addresses issues that include:
- What is peyote?
- What is peyote like?
- Is peyote addictive?
Where Does Peyote Come From?
The peyote cactus, known scientifically as Lophophora williamsii is a small, spineless cactus that thrives primarily in Mexico and the southern regions of the United States.
For thousands of years, Native Americans have recognized and utilized the hallucinogenic properties of peyote, which continues to be revered in their cultures. Currently, more than 40 tribes across North America and Western Canada incorporate it into their sacred religious rituals.
Despite DEA (United States Drug Enforcement Administration) classifying peyote as a Schedule I controlled substance, indicating a high abuse potential and no accepted medical utility, exemptions exist. The Native American Church, for instance, is permitted to use peyote in its religious ceremonies, regardless of this classification.
For some people, engaging with the peyote plant is considered a deeply spiritual act or religious sacrament. The practices surrounding its use vary by tribe and can include meditation, chanting, and various purification rituals.
The journey to obtain peyote, often referred to as the hunt, is an integral part of the ritualistic experience. Historically, some Native Americans would trek as far as 200 miles on foot to gather peyote.
Since peyote was scientifically documented in the early 20th century, its use has broadened beyond traditional contexts. Today, a wider demographic use the plant or its mescaline extracts for recreational purposes.
How Is Peyote Used?
Consuming peyote in its entirety or its active component, mescaline, triggers the plant’s renowned psychedelic effects.
Effects of peyote occur because mescaline acts on the 5-HT2A receptors in the brain, which are involved in serotonin regulation. These receptors are also the focus of other well-known hallucinogens like LSD and psilocybin mushrooms, playing a role in the psychedelic experience that these substances induce.
Mescaline can be ingested in various forms. Common methods include:
- Eating the dried tops of the peyote cactus.
- Brewing the cactus into tea.
- Taking capsules filled with peyote or mescaline powder.
Synthetic versions of mescaline are also available, usually in capsule form.
Determining a precise dosage can be challenging, as the strength of the peyote cactus can vary significantly.
After consumption, mescaline is quickly absorbed by the body. The psychedelic effects can start in less than an hour and a person may remain high on peyote for up to 12 hours. These effects gradually diminish as the body metabolizes the mescaline.
Is Peyote Addictive?
There’s not much research on addiction to peyote. That said, NIDA (National Institute on Drug Abuse) reports that mescaline, similar to other hallucinogens, typically doesn’t lead to drug-seeking behavior, even with repeated use.
Despite this, it’s still possible for a person to build up a tolerance to some hallucinogenic drugs if they use them frequently. Taking larger doses of substances that have unpredictable and varied effects increases the risks involved.
Peyote Side Effects
Mescaline operates by enhancing the binding of serotonin and dopamine to brain receptors. These neurotransmitters are linked to feelings of happiness and elation and can lead to psychedelic effects in high amounts.
The mental effects of mescaline are characterized by intense hallucinations. People often report synesthetic experiences, such as “seeing” music or “hearing” colors, along with visions and altered perceptions of space and time, where colors seem more vivid, sounds clearer, and visual perception is heightened.
The emotional impact can range from deep joy to intense fear, provoking dramatic emotional swings. Much like LSD, peyote can result in a bad trip, where the experience is overwhelmingly negative.
Physical effects of peyote may include tension and numbness alongside increased blood pressure, and heart rate. Additional side effects may include elevated body temperature, nausea, chills, sweating, and shivering.
Indigenous communities in the Americas have long attributed medicinal properties to peyote, using it to treat ailments from toothaches to diabetes.
In contemporary medicine, while psychedelics are being explored as potential treatments for conditions like treatment-resistant depression, research into their efficacy for other conditions is still limited.
The long-term impact of peyote use remains largely unknown. NIDA report that there is no evidence linking prolonged peyote use to psychological or cognitive impairments. Some people who use the drug regularly might experience flashbacks, though.
Similar to other psychedelic substances, a comedown phase may occur as the effects of the drug diminish, during which a person might experience lower or fluctuating moods.
FAQs
What is peyote drug?
Peyote is a small, spineless cactus known for its psychoactive alkaloids like mescaline. It has been used for centuries by Native Americans in religious ceremonies and rituals for its hallucinogenic effects.
What kind of drug is peyote?
Peyote is classified as a hallucinogen, a type of drug that triggers profound changes in perception, mood, and thought. The active ingredient, mescaline, causes these effects by influencing serotonin levels in the brain.
Is peyote dangerous?
While peyote can induce intense hallucinogenic experiences, its physical toxicity is relatively low. That said, it may lead to psychological distress and it may inflame preexisting mental health issues in some people.
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Whether you have been using gateway drugs like peyote or you have developed a full-blown addiction, you can access evidence-based treatments at Ohio Recovery.
Not everyone needs residential rehab, and not everyone can take a month or more away from their commitments. At Ohio Recovery, we treat peyote addiction in an outpatient setting, providing a flexible and affordable pathway for anyone looking to address substance use issues.
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