Psychoactive Plants: Peyote and Mescaline

Peyote refers to the top of a small cactus found in Texas and Mexico; it contains mescaline, a hallucinogenic compound.

Mescaline is a hallucinogenic substance present in peyote. It has been used for medicinal and spiritual purposes for centuries.

The Native American Church, a religious group, legally uses peyote in their ceremonies. It signifies a long history of its use.

Though mescaline can be extracted from peyote, it was chemically synthesized in 1919. Its production is complex, and it is rarely on the illicit market.

The availability of more accessible hallucinogens like LSD and psilocybin has led to mescaline's reduced popularity. It is not the most common hallucinogen.

The Mescal bean, despite its name, does not contain mescaline. It possesses different psychoactive properties and is highly poisonous. It contains cytisine, not mescaline.

The Mescal bean's name likely originated from confusion with peyote. The bean, when eaten, creates hallucinogenic effects, leading to the misassociation with peyote.

Peyote and mescaline can lead to altered perceptions, illusions, hallucinations, and a distorted sense of time and space. Users also report euphoria and potential anxiety.

Peyote, mescaline, buttons, cactus, mesc are some common street names for this drug.

Peyote and mescaline are classified as Schedule I substances under the Controlled Substances Act in the US. This means they have a high potential for abuse, no accepted medical use, and lack safety for use under medical supervision.

Dried peyote buttons can be consumed fresh, steeped in tea, ground into powder, or chewed and swallowed.

Peyote has a very unpleasant and bitter taste. Most users experience nausea and vomiting when consuming large amounts.

To avoid the bitter taste, some users grind the buttons into a fine powder and encapsulate it in gelatin capsules.

For those who cannot swallow the substance, a Peyote tea can be administered rectally using a bulb syringe.

There are reports of individuals smoking the powder, often mixed with herbs or marijuana.

Peyote is a drug with a complex history and diverse methods of consumption. It is important to be aware of the legal status, potential risks, and various ways it is used.

Mescaline, a hallucinogen found in peyote, is chemically similar to the neurotransmitters dopamine and norepinephrine. It is less potent than LSD and psilocybin.

While mescaline can be extracted from peyote, most available mescaline is produced synthetically.

A 500 mg dose of mescaline is comparable to the effects of consuming about 12 peyote buttons.

Peyote has shown potential in alleviating alcohol and drug addiction among Native Americans, particularly in group sessions.

Peyote's effectiveness in treating addictions might be linked to its alkaloids, which are similar to those created in the brain during alcohol consumption.

The primary aftereffect of using peyote or mescaline is a feeling of fatigue.

The Mescal bean, despite its name, does not contain mescaline. It has different psychoactive compounds and is highly poisonous.

A single use of mescaline will cause tolerance within a day, meaning subsequent doses will have a smaller effect for several days.

Peyote is considered relatively safe because it induces strong nausea, preventing overconsumption. Most users vomit excess before it can cause serious harm.

Very high doses of mescaline can lead to respiratory depression, low blood pressure, and a slow heart rate.

Mescaline, like other hallucinogens, can trigger anxiety or panic in users who are not prepared for the experience.

Mescaline does not cause physical dependence. This means that the body does not crave it or go through withdrawal symptoms when use stops.