Peyote is often surrounded by misinformation, from its biology to the way it is cultivated. In this article, I’ll debunk four common myths about peyote while sharing real knowledge and true facts.
Myth #1 - Peyote Take 30 Years To Mature
I often hear people say that peyote takes up to 30 years to mature and flower. Although it's true that peyote are slow growers in the wild, it actually only takes around 10 years to produce their first flower. In extreme cases, this can take up to 15 years.
Peyote's natural habitat is the Chihuahuan Desert. Here, they experience long periods of drought. They have evolved to grow slowly in order to conserve water in these harsh conditions.
Peyote cultivated at home take much less time to mature. Because we are able to provide them with water, nutrients, and an optimal environment, a mature cactus can be achieved in as little as three years.
Grafting is a technique that can further speed up this process. By fusing peyote to the top of a faster-growing cactus such as the San Pedro, maturity can be achieved in as little as one year. San Pedro have a larger root system, making them more efficient at uptaking water. When grafting, the vascular rings of the two cacti are aligned, which allows water to be super-injected into the peyote, causing its growth to explode.
Myth #2 - Peyote Tufts Contain Strychnine
Peyote cacti contain over 50 different alkaloids, including the psychedelic compound mescaline. But contrary to popular belief, they do not contain strychnine. This myth likely arose in an attempt to portray the cactus as harmful and deter people from consuming it.
During ceremonies, peyote is often boiled to produce a tea, but it may also be dried and chewed. When preparing them, the trichomes, also known as tufts, are removed, not because they are poisonous, but because they are made of cellulose, which is indigestible by humans, making them hard to stomach.
Myth #3 - Peyote Are Legal If You Are Native American
I often hear people say that peyote is not illegal if you are Native American. Although this myth isn't completely false, there are some important nuances to understand.
The American Indian Religious Freedom Act (AIRFA) was created in 1978 and amended in 1994 to explicitly exempt the use, possession, and transportation of peyote from the law when used in traditional ceremonies by bona fide religious organizations.
In U.S. law, the term bona fide religious organization refers to established and legitimate religious bodies, most notably the Native American Church, whose ceremonial use of peyote is specifically protected. That protection is narrow and purpose-based, meaning peyote may be used only within a legitimate religious ceremony, and possession outside of that context is not permitted. These legal protections do not extend to general possession and cultivation, as neither individual members nor religious organizations are allowed to grow peyote.
Instead, peyote used in ceremonies must be obtained from state-licensed peyote distributors. Even those licensed distributors are not permitted to cultivate peyote and are legally required to wild-harvest it from its native habitat under strict regulatory oversight.
Many people get this law wrong, thinking they can use peyote for their own religious practices, but the protections apply only to bona fide organizations, and personal use is not allowed.
Myth #4 - Peyote Should Not Be Top Watered
There are many plants and cacti that benefit from being bottom watered. I often see this advice extended to peyote. But top watering peyote is not harmful.
Peyote have a thick taproot. This taproot has evolved to be very efficient at absorbing water from the surface of the soil when small spurts of rain occur in the desert.
Some argue that water sitting in the crown of the cactus can cause problems, but in the wild, peyote are sometimes seen growing on dry riverbeds. During the wet season, these riverbeds flood, leaving the peyote completely emerged in water.
More important than how you water is how often you water. Watering your peyote once the soil has completely dried is the best way to avoid problems. Running a fan in your grow room and keeping the humidity between 30 and 50 percent will also keep moisture levels under control. Proper soil also goes a long way. You'll find a comprehensive guide to soil HERE.
Conclusion
There are many myths surrounding the peyote cactus. You may have heard some of these or even believed them yourself, but now you know the real facts. Let me know in the comments if you’ve come across any other myths about peyote.