Nestled underneath shrubs in the Chihuahuan desert hides a small, spineless, psychedelic cactus that holds profound cultural significance for Indigenous peoples of North America. This plant is known as the peyote cactus and its natural habitat covers a small region of the southwestern United States and northern Mexico.
Ceremonial Use of the Peyote Cactus
The ceremonial use of peyote dates back thousands of years and has ties to Indigenous communities such as the Huichol, Navajo, Comanche, and Tarahumara. To these people, the peyote cactus is a sacred medicine, capable of healing ones mind, body, and spirit.
Evidence of peyote use has been found at archaeological sites dating back at least 5000 years. Small buttons used in traditional ceremonies have been found at theses sites. These small, dried, buttons are either chewed or boiled in water to produce a tea which is then consumed during these ceremonies.
Peyote ceremonies are still practiced today and are held out in nature areas by a shaman. They consist of prayers, chanting, drumming, and spiritual guidance. Peyote is thought to cure many things, including physical and mental ailments. It is also believed to be a way of communicating with ancestors and deities.
The effects of the Peyote cactus are very profound and similar to that of ayahuasca or psilocybin mushrooms. It produces a state of euphoria, colorful visions, and a feeling of being one with the universe as well as nature. Many believe that it brings them to a higher state of consciousness.
Modern Law and Studies
When European settlers colonized America, they tried to suppress the Natives use of peyote by making it illegal. They viewed its use as sacrilegious to the Christian faith and its beliefs.
The Native American Church (NAC), which was formally incorporated in 1918 in Oklahoma played a central role in the fight for religious freedom, and thanks to the efforts of its members and other Indigenous advocates, Native peoples were granted legal exemption for the ceremonial use of peyote under the American Indian Religious Freedom Act Amendments of 1994.
Recently, scientists have been studying mescaline (the active compound in the peyote cactus) with promising results for treating addiction, depression, and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). While further research is still needed, growing evidence suggests that psychedelics like mescaline could offer significant benefits for people struggling with these conditions.
Several prestigious institutions have played a key role in advancing this research, including:
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Johns Hopkins University — Center for Psychedelic and Consciousness Research
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Imperial College London — Centre for Psychedelic Research
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University of California, San Francisco (UCSF) — Department of Psychiatry and Psychedelic Research
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Multidisciplinary Association for Psychedelic Studies (MAPS) — Leading nonprofit funding psychedelic science
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Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) — Research into neuroplasticity and psychedelics
These organizations have published influential studies or supported pioneering work that deepens our understanding of mescaline and related psychedelics.
Peyote Cactus Cultivation
The rich history and psychoactive properties of the peyote cactus have peaked interest among many hobby growers in recent years. Its cultivation is legal in several countries, including Canada, and has become very popular, spreading as far as Thailand.
Peyote thrives in warm, arid environments that mimic its natural habitat, doing best at temperatures between 70°F and 90°F and humidity levels between 30% and 50%. It prefers well-draining, limestone-rich soil with a slightly alkaline pH. The cactus needs plenty of bright, indirect light, as too much direct sun can cause sunburn. They should be watered only once the soil is completely dry, and fed using a fertilizer designed for cacti, like Schultz cactus liquid plant food.
Peyote belongs to the Lophophora family. There are two main species in this family. Lophophora williamsii (peyote) and its non psychoactive cousin Lophophora diffusa. Each species has many variations. Lophophora williamsii have pink flowers (seen below in the top photo), while Lophophora diffusa have white flowers (seen in the bottom photo).
Conclusion
Unfortunately, the peyote cactus has become scarce in the wild. This is due to its slow growing nature, over harvesting, poor harvesting practices, and land development. Those who wish to cultivate it should only buy seeds and cacti from sustainable growers like Sacred Buttons and should never poach or purchase cacti poached from the wild.
Respect for these cacti and for the natives to whom it is so sacred is essential for fostering understanding, cultural preservation, and respect for diversity in society.