Psychoactive cactus

Many cacti are known to be psychoactive, containing phenethylamine alkaloids such as mescaline[1] However, the two main ritualistic (folkloric) genera are Echinopsis, of which the most psychoactive species is the San Pedro cactus (Echinopsis pachanoi, syn. Trichocereus pachanoi), and Lophophora, with peyote (Lophophora williamsii) being the most psychoactive species. Several other species pertaining to other genera are also psychoactive, though not always used with a ritualistic intent.[2][3][4]

Ethnic Use

Several world regions have historically used psychoactive cacti for their properties, particularly Indigenous peoples from Central and South America, such as in Mexico and the Andes region. For this purpose (which includes commercial harvesting) cacti plants are specifically grown in the millions.[5]

"Peyotes"

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Peyote with flower

Other "peyotes"

Other North American psychoactive and/or medicinal cacti-

Trichocereus

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San Pedro with flower

Other South American psychoactive and/or medicinal cacti

References/Sources

  1. Bruhn, Jan G.; Hesham R. EI-Seedi; Nikolai Stephanson (2008). "Ecstasy Analogues Found in Cacti". Journal of Psychoactive Drugs 40 (2): 219–222. doi:10.1080/02791072.2008.10400635. PMID 18720674.
  2. Bruhn, Jan G. (1973). "ETHNOBOTANICAL SEARCH FOR HALLUCINOGENIC CACTI". Planta Med 24 (8): 315–319. doi:10.1055/s-0028-1099504.
  3. Bruhn, Jan G.; Catarina Bruhn (1973). "Alkaloids and ethnobotany of Mexican peyote cacti and related species". ECONOMIC BOTANY 27 (2): 241–251. doi:10.1007/BF02872994.
  4. Pummangura, S.; J. L. McLaughlin; R. C. Schifferdecker (September 1981). "Cactus Alkaloids. XLVII. β-Phenethylamines From the "Missouri Pincushion", Coryphantha (Neobessya) missouriensis". J. Nat. Prod. 44 (5): 614–616. doi:10.1021/np50017a022.
  5. Gottlieb, Adam (1997). Peyote and Other Psychoactive Cacti. Ronin Publishing. p. 96.

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