Outside of its historically sacred context, peyote holds promise for more general personal growth and development. A 2005 study into the ceremonial use of peyote among Native American populations found no detrimental long-term effects. In the Native American Church, peyote ceremonies are used to treat a number of psychological, spiritual, and physiological issues. For many, a peyote journey offers deep insight into the self and the universe, giving one a greater sense of connection and spirituality. It’s also known for fostering compassion and gratitude and alleviating psychological disorders such as anxiety, depression, PTSD and addiction.

It’s a survival mechanism that protects your soul from being annihilated, and shields the individual from the pain of physical or emotional traumas. If you follow the 6Ss of psychedelic use and avoid taking peyote if you have a family history of mental health issues, there appears to be very little chance of long-term psychiatric issues. In addition to the sacrament of peyote, for instance, these ceremonies feature a master guide, marathon group sessions, ego reduction techniques, social networks, and a focus on self-actualization throughout. Peyote ceremonies can last upwards of 10 hours overnight and typically involve drumming, chanting, and prolonged periods of sleeplessness, along with social and behavioral interventions.

POST TREATMENT CARE + INTEGRATION

Retreats should only be attended after proper mental, physical, and spiritual preparation. The Peyote cactus is a small, bulbous cactus that does not have spines. It grows in clusters that are often referred to as “buttons.” The San Pedro and Peruvian Torch are columnar cacti. Other than the naturally occurring state of these cacti, you can also find mescaline in a crystalline powder form after a cactus has gone through a mescaline extraction process.

However, sometimes there is crying, increased salivation, sneezing, vomiting or the need to have a bowel movement. This is normal and part of the process, as one of the purposes of Rapé is to cleanse and purify the body and mind. You should close your eyes, breathe slowly, and focus on your intention when the effect comes on quickly.

How to Prepare for an Ayahuasca Ceremony: The Ultimate Guide

You can legally harvest San Pedro cactus in most countries, much easier than you think. Structurally, it is similar to LSD and is often used as a benchmark hallucinogen when comparing psychedelics. Pure mescaline is usually available as a white or brownish crystalline powder, either loose or packed into capsules as a pill. However, compared to other psychedelics, mescaline extraction tends to be rare in most parts of the world. You can clearly see that these samskaras and vasanas are our own creation.

Preparing for Ayahuasca 101: Set your intention

Read more about Hapé here.

Third Wave’s vetted Psychedelic Directory offers an honest, in-depth guide to safely accessing these substances. Research into the harm potential and adverse effects of peyote is limited, but in general, it is considered a safe substance. A lethal dose has never been identified, probably because it’s too high to be taken accidentally. In other words, to the best of our knowledge, nobody has ever died from a peyote overdose.