Peyote (Lophophora williamsii F. Cactaceae)

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Common name: PeyoteScientific name: Lophophora williamsii F. Cactaceae

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What is a Peyote cactus?

The oldest cacti date back 20.000 years ago. Its special looks are because of itsability to survive extreme dryness and heat. The thorns are of course the mostqualifying characteristic of cacti. These are actually leaves without any moisture,which turned them into thorns. They are also there to protect a cactus againstbright sunlight and from being eaten by animals. But some kinds do not havethorns and protect themselves with poisons or psychoactive components.Examples are the Peyote, Sunami, Pata de Venado, Pezuna de Venado, Tsuwiri,Bishop's cap, Aztekium Retterii and Astropytum Astrias.Cacti store water in their stems. The most effective relation between surface and

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contents is created by a balloon shape. The hotter the habitat ot the cactus, themore balloonlike it will be; which is the case with the Peyote.

Botanical

The Peyote cactus is a small, blue/green, thornless, balloonlike plant, with small amounts of wool on top and a thick root. Itcan carry small pink flowers. There is a range of different varieties of the Peyote cactus: Lophophora williamsii decipiensand Lophophora diffusa are most common.The cactus grows very slowly and under natural circumstances only flowers after ten years. It seldom becomes bigger than15 centimeters. Peyote grows in Mexico and the south of Texas.

History

This plant played a prominent role in the religion and culture of the Indians inCentral America. Images of the Peyote have been found, dating back long beforethe start of our era. The oldest image of Peyote used in ceremonies ever found is3000 years old.Nowadays the Peyote is still strongly respected by the original inhabitants of thisregion, like the Huichol, and also by researchers in entheogenics from all overthe world. These indians are still practising the native rituals with Peyote cacti,because unlike other Indians they - in reality - have never been completelycolonised by the Hispanics. They lived in such an inaccessable area thatcolonisation was never fully accomplished. Therefore their culture stayed in tact,and the use of Peyote cacti is still relatively common in these areas. In Mexico it'savailable as a medicine against infections and practically every complaint because"the mind advises how the body must be healed..."

Chemistry

Active compounds: mescaline (3,4,5-trimethoxy-B-phenethylamine)Percentage: 10% of the dried material.Aside from mescaline Peyote also contains tyramine, hordinenine, anhalaninine, anhalonidine, pellotine, N-methylmescaline,N-acetylmescaline, anhalonnine, anhalonine, anhalamine, O-methyllanhalonidine and lophophorine.

Effects

It may take a while before the effects of the Peyote cactus can be noticed, but once the trip starts it could be one of themost beautiful and divine experiences you will ever have.The effects of mescaline are somewhat similar to those brought about by other psychedelics like Psilocybe cubensismushrooms, DMT containing plants or synthetic hallucinogens like LSD-25. The Peyote trip is stronger than the San Pedrotrip, but so is the initial nausea. A trip can last six to twelve hours.The so-called hangover of a cactus experience comes before the actual trip starts. Cramps, vomiting and crying (tearsflowing from the eyes without feeling sad) are possible symptoms. Most of these disappear within one hour after the triphas started.

Medical use

Traditionally it has been used as an analgesic, against toothache, rheumatism, asthma and the cold.In psychotherapy, under medical prescription, Peyote has been used for the treatment of the neurasthenia. In the same wayit has also been used in cardiology. Research has shown that it has powerful antibacterial properties, being able toeliminate bacteria that were resistant to penicillin.

Usage

The most common way to take Peyote is chewing the cactus (fresh or dried), until all mescaline has entered the bodythrough the mucous membranes. But this is very distasteful. A way to reduce the bitterness is drinking pineapple juiceduring the chewing, but it will still remain quite unpleasant. The most comfortable way to consume Peyote is to fill capsuleswith dried and grinded peyote heads. Best is not to eat approximately six hours before you start eating this cactus. Youmight feel a little nausea before the trip begins. Some people say this can be avoided by eating ginger or smoking cannabis.You can also make tea of Peyote cacti by cooking them in water and adding some herbs, like the ones shamans use with San

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