Origins and Benefits of Peyote

Although the prohibition of peyote use was banned initially by Oklahoma state in 1908, its influence has spread despite aggressive assimilationist policies and participation from Native American leaders and anthropologists in defeating it. Select the best peyote for sale.

Origins

Peyote conjures images of mysterious, spiritual ceremonies. A natural hallucinogenic substance used by Huichol Indians from Mexico as well as members of the Native American Church (NAC) in North America for 5,500 years in ceremonial settings – researchers have reported no cognitive or psychological deficits among people who use peyote solely for spiritual use for extended periods.

Peyote is an Algonquian term referring to a spineless cactus with tops containing mescaline, an alkaloid that produces hallucinogenic effects when consumed. Native Mexican tribes used peyote cacti for spiritual use before colonialism arrived. By the late 19th century, it had spread north into Oklahoma, where Kiowa and Comanche tribes adopted its use for spiritual reasons.

Today, ceremonial peyote forms the cornerstone of a religious movement known as the Native American Church or peyote in North America and Pan-Indianism. Since 1970 its membership has steadily increased; more than 1.3 million Americans practice peyote. However, illegal in many parts of the world, recreational peyote use is widespread among young adults in Western nations such as the United States.

Medicinal Use

Lophophora williamsii contains many alkaloids with medicinal benefits, with mescaline being the most notable among them. Mescaline acts similarly to LSD or psilocybin mushrooms and has many psychoactive side effects; more specific applications for peyote use include its antiseptic qualities that inhibit bacteria spreading into open wounds; it can also treat rheumatism, hemorrhages, and dizziness, among other ailments.

Studies have reported that the spiritual use of peyote may protect against recreational drug use among AI youth; however, these studies were limited by their focus on few possible predictors and cross-sectional design, which limited interpretation to relationships rather than causality (Carroll 1995; Johnson & Golub 2007).

Two popular accounts of peyote’s origin myth involve a woman searching for her family across unfamiliar lands when she encountered, in her dreams, the spirit of peyote and consumed the plant. When she returned to her community, she shared it with them. She initiated rituals and ceremonies that still occur today – some anthropologists suggest this tale may also represent how someone becomes a shaman.

Psychoactive Effects

Peyote contains the psychoactive drug mescaline, which induces hallucinations such as an altered sense of self, seeing colors or objects that do not exist, and feeling detached from reality. Some individuals also report anxiety, panic attacks, paranoia, and sensory confusion during this experience.

Peyote contains mescaline, which interacts with serotonin receptors to cause vasoconstriction of blood vessels in the uterus and lead to contractions that induce labor – which is why many women in labor consume peyote buttons as part of their birthing plan. According to one Wixarika story, one woman about to give birth consumed one and could quickly deliver her baby without complications.

People may use peyote to increase sexual drive and experience arousal or feel more compassionate toward others, improving relationships or boosting self-esteem. Its effects typically last between two and four hours before slowly subsiding.

Many cities and states have laws legalizing the cultivation of mescaline-containing cacti, but such legislation typically excludes peyote (an Indigenous sacred plant). Indigenous communities ask non-tribe members not to consume peyote; some compare this request with Catholic communion wine drunk by non-Catholics. Anyone disobeying this request could experience adverse side effects, including sleep issues, uncoordinated movement, and panic.

Safety

Cacti have been used spiritually and medicinally by Native American peoples for centuries; however, recreational or scientific usage is usually illegal in most states. However, recreational usage remains widespread, and teenagers frequently use it to experience similar “trips” to mushrooms or MDMA.

Mescaline (3,4,5-trimethoxyphenethylamine) is one of the main active compounds of cacti used as pills that can be taken orally. Mescaline’s primary psychological effects include persisting perception disorder (formerly “flashbacks”), anxiety, paranoia, sensory confusion, and detachment from reality. Mescaline acts as an NMDA receptor antagonist, preventing calcium and magnesium ions from entering brain neurons, thus producing psychoactive effects from the cactus’ psychoactive properties.

Peyote grows naturally across two small regions in northern Mexico and southern Texas, such as Deming, New Mexico; Corpus Christi/Sombrerete, Texas; and parts of northwestern Tamaulipas/southeastern Zacatecas mountains. Due to its scarcity, peyote has developed mysterious legends surrounding its use as an effective drug.

Though over 20 million Americans have experimented with psychedelic drugs, few try peyote. This may be due to its difficulty accessing unless someone ventures deep into the desert searching for its plant. Furthermore, its toxicity and high doses required to produce psychoactive effects make it challenging for most individuals.

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