Peyote Cacti

Peyote is a small spineless, leafless, globe-shaped cactus. The mescal buttons of the peyote cacti provide a source of hallucinatory alkaloid.

Peyote is a native of the Chihuahan Desert and is annually harvested by the millions. If peyote is harvested properly, several new heads can form from the old root thereby generating new plants. Because of careless harvesting practices however, peyote is often cut too deeply, leaving little or no root remaining in the ground.

The top part of the peyote cacti rarely rises above an inch or so about the soil. The biggest part of the peyote cactus is actually underground in the long, carrot-like root. The above ground "button" portion is cut and consumed either fresh, dried or as tea.

Peyote produces over 50 chemically related compounds. The effects experienced after consuming this unique medicine range from a feeling of physical energy and well being (when taken in small amounts, though this is often preceded by a brief period of lethargy), to actual visionary experiences when larger quantities are consumed. Individuals have been known to experience stomach discomfort (gut rot) or nausea during the first few hours though this is not always the case.

Noticeable psychoactive effects can usually last up to 10 hours. Experienced peyotists acknowledge and welcome the feeling of this medicine working with them as a spiritual and physical blessing.

The positive, life enhancing benefit of the peyote medicine is noted in the ritual use of peyote as a religious sacrament in a number of Native American cultures.

Hallucinogenic cacti are quite rare in the UK , though the peyote cactus can be bought mail order or directly from some cacti-specialists or head shops. Hallucinogenic cacti are not illegal in the UK , unless prepared for consumption as a hallucinogen. This could include drying them, or cutting them into edible 'buttons'. It usually takes six to ten of these buttons to gain the desired effect.

The cacti's effects are in some ways similar to LSD, but longer lasting and more physical. Users typically vomit before entering a dreamlike state where sound and scale distort and visions appear. The trip can last up to 12 hours with the user deep in trance and detached from the world around them.

The peyote experience is different from that of pure mescaline - the former experience more intense and complex. This is due to the presence of many more alkaloids that affect mind and body such as hordenine, pellotine, anhalinine, anhalonine and tyramine. Some of these chemicals in combination apparently potentiate the effects of the mescaline and definitely alter some of the characteristics of the experience. The hallucinogen mescaline is a class A drug in the UK . In the USA mescaline and the peyote cactus are Schedule 1.

 

 

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