Peyote
Scientific Name(s): Lophophora williamsii (Lem. ex Salm-Dyck) J.M. Coult.
Common Name(s): Anhalonium, Peyote, Peyotl, Peytote, Ubatama
Medically reviewed by Drugs.com. Last updated on Jul 22, 2021.
Clinical Overview
Use
Clinical studies of peyote are lacking. CNS effects, including hallucinations, have been described. Peyote may have immune-related activity against cancer cell lines; however, clinical studies are lacking to support this use. The use of peyote is illegal in the United States, except for religious use by the Native American Church.
Dosing
Clinical studies of peyote do not provide a basis for dosage recommendations. No standardization of preparations exists.
When used for its hallucinogenic properties, doses have ranged from 400 to 700 mg of mescaline (a component of peyote), equivalent to 10 to 20 g of dried peyote buttons.
Contraindications
Contraindications have not been identified; peyote use may increase the risk of psychoses in individuals with mental health conditions.
Pregnancy/Lactation
Avoid use. Information regarding safety and efficacy during pregnancy and lactation is lacking.
Interactions
None well documented.
Adverse Reactions
Symptoms of mild to moderate toxicity, including hallucinations, tachycardia, agitation, and mydriasis, have been reported with peyote use. Peyote buttons are bitter and may cause vomiting and other GI effects when consumed.
Toxicology
Few toxicological studies of peyote have been conducted. Mescaline is distributed into the liver and brain. In one human study, no chromosomal abnormalities due to peyote use were detected.
Scientific Family
- Cactaceae (cactus)
Botany
L. williamsii is a small, fleshy, spineless cactus plant native to Mexico and southern parts of the United States, preferring scrub or limestone conditions. The plant is slow growing, forming clusters of grey-green, bulbous shoots (up to 12 cm wide) close to the ground. The tops of the shoots (called "buttons") are harvested and dried. Peyote produces pink (sometimes white or yellow) flowers that open during the day, forming small (2 cm), edible, flesh-colored fruits. When mature, the fruits are dry and off-white colored and contain small (1 to 1.5 mm), pear-shaped black seeds.Duke 2002, Kapadia 1968, Kapadia 1970, USDA 2016 A synonym for L. williamsii is Echinocactus williamsii.
History
Peyote buttons dating back to at least 3000 BC have been found at Texas archaeological sites. For thousands of years, American Indians have used peyote for ritual and healing purposes. The plant has been traditionally used for pain (eg, toothache), rheumatism, colds, blindness, and alcoholism. Peyote use is illegal in the United States, except for religious use by the Native American Church.Blum 1977, Carod-Artal 2015, Carstairs 2010, El-Seedi 2005
Chemistry
Peyote contains more than 60 hallucinogenic alkaloids of the phenethylamine family, especially mescaline.Bruhn 2008, Carod-Artal 2015 Other identified compounds include tetrahydroisoquinoline alkaloids (including peliotine, anhalonidine, lophophorine, anhalonine, and others), tyramine and its derivatives, and other alkaloidal amides.Duke 1992, Kapadia 1970, Ma 1986, Monte 1997
