The Sacred Peyote Cactus

The Peyote cactus (Lophophora williamsii) is a small spineless cactus that predominatnely holds a sacred place in the history of indigenous cultures in Mexico and the southwestern United States.

It's believed to connect individuals with the divine and the natural world due the potent effects of it's main chemical component mescaline, a psychoactive compound that has the hallmark trait of eliciting intense visual hallucinations.

This article will briefly describe the physiological and psychological mechanisms involved in consuming Peyote and how this plant interacts with our bodies and mind.

Cultural Significance

Archeological evidence suggests Peyote has been used dating back at least 5,700 years. The Huichol, Tarahumara, and other indigenous peoples of Mexico, as well as various tribes across the southwestern United States, have historically used Peyote as a sacred sacrament in spiritual ceremonies and healing practices.

For these indigenous tribes, Peyote is not just a plant but a deity.

It is viewed as a means of communication with the spiritual world, allowing users to transcend the physical realm and receive guidance from ancestors, gods, and the natural world. It plays a central role in the Native American Church (NAC), where it is consumed with the intention of facilitating spiritual healing, prayer, and community bonding.

In its traditional use, Peyote has been employed as a medicine for treating many ailments such as:

• Pain relief: particularly headaches, toothaches, and arthritis due to its anti-inflammatory properties.

• Fever and infection treatment: by boiling the cactus into a tea and drinking it, or using it as a poultice on wounds.

• Stomach issues: to ease gastrointestinal problems like indigestion, constipation, and other discomforts.

In modern contexts, Peyote has garnered interest as a tool for psychotherapy as an alternative form of treatment for mental health disorders like depression, anxiety, and PTSD. Proponents of this practice believe mescaline's interactions with the mind can help traditional treatment-resistant cases break negative thought patterns and encourage emotional release for a well-rounded sense of introspection and healing.

Active Components: How Peyote Works

As previously stated, Peyote’s psychoactive effects are primarily attributed to mescaline. Mescaline is an alkaloid that belongs to the phenethylamine class of compounds, which means structurally speaking like tryptamines (DMT, psilocybin, etc) they interact with serotonin receptors, specifically the 5-HT2A receptors, but whereas tryptamine compounds produce more pronounced changes in perception/mood/thought, phenethylmines are better known for their stimulating effects that promote energy, euphoria and physical sensations.

Also, as with the case of mescaline, phenethylamines have a stronger effect on the cardiovascular system, in the sense that they increase heart rate and blood pressure, and act on various serotonin receptors (5HT2A and 5-HT2C) and dopamine receptors (D1, D2, D3) and adrenergic receptors (α1A/2A).

What all this means is that they produce psychological effects like enhanced perception of the senses (colors/sounds/textures become more vivid), visual hallucinations (patterns of light emerge even when the eyes are closed), auditory hallucinations, and emotional amplification (mainly manifests as a stronger sense of 'oneness' or connection with nature), and ego dissolution.

In regards to obtaining mescaline through Peyote, the cactus' small, round, fleshy tops are cut, dried, and either chewed or brewed in a tea. The effects generally begin 30 to 90 minutes after consumption and can last anywhere from 8 to 14 hours, depending on the dose and users metabolism.

And while this all seems pleasing there are physical effects that cannot be ignored:

• Nausea and vomiting: the most common side effect of mescaline is nausea, often accompanied by vomiting, which is referred to as "purging." In indigenous rituals this is considered part of the spiritual cleansing process so prepare yourself for the possibility.

• Increased heart rate and blood pressure: as previously mentioned mescaline can stimulate the nervous system within the cardiovascular system and elevate heart rate & blood pressure.

• Dilation of pupils: like other psychedelics, Peyote causes mydriasis (pupil dilation), which increases light sensitivity.

• Heightened physical sensation: usually manifests as a heightened sensitivity to temperature, a feeling of energy flowing through the body, and a sense of physical euphoria or a body "buzz."

• Fatigue or stimulation: some individuals may feel restless/energized, while others experience tiredness or lethargy.

Psychological Effects

The effects from both the physical and psychological are what gives Peyote such an interesting profile. It's been said to open the door for deep introspection, Aldous Huxley even wrote a book called the Doors of Perception where he accounts his own mescaline experience, and alters the way individuals perceive reality, time, and space.

As described through many accounts, time may feel distorted: slow down, speed up, happen all at once, or cease altogether, and users often report a dreamlike state of consciousness where they find themselves contemplating personal issues, their repressed emotions, and ponder existential philosophical questions like purpose and meaning.

The entire experience is an intense one that could include feelings of unity with the universe, encounters with divine beings or spirits, a sense of inner peace, intense joy or love, or a head-to-head confrontation with fears, anxieties, or unresolved trauma. As is the case with most psychedelics, usually any underlying emotional issues come to the surface on Peyote.

Potential Risks

Although Peyote has a long history of use culturally and religiously speaking, it is not without risks with the body and law.

Those with pre-existing mental health conditions like schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, or severe anxiety may be more vulnerable to adverse psychological reactions (exasterbate psychosis, paranoia, or anxiety attacks) and should consult with their main medical practitioner and proceed with caution.

Peyote is also not recommended for those with heart conditions due to its effects on heart rate and blood pressure.

In terms of legality, Peyote is in a complex space because while it is a controlled substance in many parts of the world there are exceptions for its use in religious contexts. In the United States for example, members of the NAC are legally allowed to use Peyote in religious ceremonies but outside of those protections, possession or use of can lead to legal consequences.

Conclusion

This barely scratches the surface of Peyote but we hope this gave you a better insight as to what it has the potential to do. Consuming Peyote can trigger adverse reactions such as nausea, vomiting, anxiety, and paranoia and prolonged or excessive use may also lead to psychological dependence and exacerbate existing mental health conditions. We advice you to proceed with caution and always consult with a licensed medical professional before taking next steps forward.

Peyote can lead to intense visual and auditory hallucinations, altered sense of time and space, and though modern research has shown potential therapeutic application, there's still more research that needs to be done.

We hope this article gives you the information you need to make an informed decision. We do not advocate you do anything nor offer medical advice. This is purely for educational purposes only and wish you safe travels in your exploration.

Thank you and safe travels

Resources

• "Peyote and Native American Spirituality." National Museum of the American Indian, Smithsonian Institution, www.americanindian.si.edu.

• Furst, Peter T., ed. Flesh of the Gods: The Ritual Use of Hallucinogens. Waveland Press, 1990.

• Schultes, Richard Evans, and Albert Hofmann. Plants of the Gods: Their Sacred, Healing, and Hallucinogenic Powers. Healing Arts Press, 1992.

• Slotkin, James S. The Peyote Religion: A Study in Indian-White Relations. Free Press, 1956.

• Stewart, Omer C. Peyote Religion: A History. University of Oklahoma Press, 1987.