Peyote
It's in Wirikuta desert that we find a cactus containing numerous alkaloids , including one with strong hallucinogenic properties: mescaline. It is a magical place and plant for Native Americans like the Wichols who have placed it at the center of the divine for ceremonies for thousands of years.
Excitingly, the Inquisition, during the Spanish conquest , banned the use of this plant... which had little effect on consumption.
On the other hand, the name of another cactus, the panachoi or huachuma in Quechua present throughout South America, was modified to San Pedro (Saint Peter!) to make it compatible with the Catholic religion... It also contains mescaline but with a lower content. On the other hand, it grows quickly - 50 cm per year - and at altitudes of 1000 to 3000 meters and can reach 4 meters high.
It was made famous by Aldous Huxley who, throughout his book "The Doors of Perception", explores and recounts the effects of ingesting the molecule: enhanced colors, microscopic and intimate perception of matter... All his “journeys” are perfectly documented and above all lead to real questions about the nature of reality and consciousness.
· Alteration of perception: Huxley notes an intensification and radical modification of sensory perception. Colors become more vivid and shapes more distinct. Everyday objects take on new meaning and beauty.
· Expanding Consciousness: Huxley describes an expansion of consciousness, where the boundary between the self and the outside world becomes blurred. It evokes a deep connection with nature and an intuitive understanding of the unity of all existence.
· Erasure of the ego: The experience of mescaline according to Huxley leads to a temporary suppression of the ego. It highlights the possibility of transcending the individual self to blend into a larger reality.
· Perception of the Divine: Huxley speaks of a mystical experience where he perceives the divine in seemingly insignificant details of his environment. He describes mescaline as a means of opening "the doors of perception" to perceive a deeper, transcendent reality.
· Increased artistic appreciation: Huxley notices an intensification of artistic appreciation, where visual and musical works take on deeper meaning and transcendent beauty.
After taking it, the effects appear quite late, 1.5 to 2 hours later, and are in fact very different from other molecules: the sense of smell is, for example, increased tenfold. To give an idea, each finger has a different smell. The place in which the journey takes place is fragmented into around thirty different odors linked to furniture, vases, dishes, cleaners, paint, other people...
Generally speaking, the effects are a combination of:
· Visual Hallucinations: Mescaline users may experience marked visual alterations, such as geometric patterns, color distortions, and hallucinations.
· Changes in perception of time and space: Mescaline may cause distortion of time and space, with a subjective perception of time that may appear to stretch or contract.
· Altered State of Consciousness: Individuals under the influence of mescaline may experience a sensation of oneness with the universe, a spiritual connection, or an expansion of consciousness.
· Increased introspection: Some users report increased introspective thoughts and an increased ability to reflect on oneself and one's life.
· Effects on emotions: Emotions may be heightened, ranging from euphoria to anxiety. Some users also report deep, cathartic emotional experiences.
· Sensory Stimulation: Increased sensitivity to sensory stimuli such as light, sound and touch is commonly reported.
· Nausea and dysphoria: Some individuals may experience nausea and some physical discomfort at the beginning of the experience. This may progress to a more pleasant phase, but nausea may persist in some individuals.
When it is part of the master and medicinal plants in the same region, it is then called the grandfather or El Padre, while ayahuasca, as seen in the other section, is called El Madre, the mother or the great -mother. In this, the two are used in a complementary way, the aya allowing this deep dive into oneself connected to the world and the healing of the soul and the body, while the ceremonies using peyote are focused on the external worlds.
As with psilocybin, microdosing has emerged for long-term use due to the strong brain activation it causes with studies showing effects such as:
1. Improved concentration and focus: Some individuals have noted improved concentration and productivity at work or in other cognitive activities.
2. Mood elevation: Reports suggest that microdosing mescaline may have mild antidepressant effects, leading to an elevation of mood and a reduction in feelings of sadness.
3. Increased Creativity: Some users report an increase in creativity, whether in the arts, problem solving, or other areas.
4. Reduced anxiety: Some individuals have reported reduced anxiety and better stress management.
Improved social relationships: Some users noted increased ease in social interactions and emotional openness.
