Western ‘psychedelic renaissance’ is partly to blame for dwindling supplies of peyote, which produces mescaline

Summary

The Native American Church warns of a peyote shortage, a sacred cactus used in religious ceremonies.

Overharvesting, land development, and surging demand from Western psychedelic seekers contribute to the decline.

Peyote, which grows slowly and only in limited regions of the US and Mexico, is further pressured by decriminalization movements and illegal poaching.

The Church has called for conservation measures.

The shortage threatens traditional practices, as the cactus is vital to the spiritual and cultural life of its 350,000 adherents.

  • electricyarn@lemmy.worldEnglish
    35·
    4 days ago

    The San Pedro cactus is plentiful and produces the same molecules. It also grows more rapidly and can be found at your local hardware store in the landscaping section.

    • Zetta@mander.xyzEnglish
      19·
      4 days ago

      I believe the varieties typically sold at hardware stores do not contain mescaline (the main psychedelic compound in these cacti). Here’s a chart I found that has different varieties and their mescaline content. You can find the good ones for sale online.

      Bolivian Torch Cactus ‘Trichocereus bridgesii’ is a good option if you wanna trip

  • Nougat@fedia.io
    23·
    4 days ago

    “This is a Native American European sacred medicine and we don’t want people messing around with it,” said a Navajo White member of the church from a congregation in Rio Grande City, Texas, who asked not to be identified. “The Natives European people don’t like it. White Brown people shouldn’t mess around with it.”