Many cacti are known to be psychoactive, containing phenethylamine alkaloids such as mescaline. However, the two main ritualistic (folkloric) genera are Echinopsis, of which the most psychoactive species occur in the San Pedro cactus group (including Echinopsis pachanoi, syn. Trichocereus pachanoi, Echinopsis Peruviana, syn. Trichocereus peruvianus and Echinopsis lageniformis, syn. Trichocereus bridgesii), 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.

Species

Globular cacti Lophophora williamsii (peyote)

Other "peyotes"

Ariocarpus fissuratus Coryphantha compacta (syn. C. palmeri) Pelecyphora aselliformis Pelecyphora strobiliformis Lophophora diffusa Ariocarpus retusus Ariocarpus agavoides; kotschoubeyanus; and other species Astrophytum asterias; capricorne; myriostigma; and other species Aztekium ritteri; and other species Coryphantha elephantidens; macromeris (var. runyonii); palmeri; and other species Echinocactus grandis; grusonii; platyacanthus; visnaga; and other species Epithelantha micromeris; and other species Leuchtenbergia principis'''; and other speciesLophophora speciesMammillaria craigii; grahamii (var. oliviae); heyderi; (Dolichothele) longimamma; (Solisia) pectinifera; (Mamillopsis) senilis; sonorensis; and other speciesObregonia denegriiStrombocactus disciformisTurbinicarpus laui; lophophoroides; jauernigii; (Pelecyphora) pseudopectinatus; schmiedickeanus; and other species

Other Other North American psychoactive and/or medicinal cacti.Carnegiea giganteaEchinocereus salm-dyckianus (var. scheeri); triglochidiatus; and other speciesPachycereus pecten-aboriginum; pringleiArborescent and columnar cacti

EchinopsisEchinopsis lageniformis (syn. Trichocereus bridgesii) (Bolivian torch cactus)Echinopsis macrogona (syn. Trichocereus macrogonus), > 0.01-0.05% MescalineEchinopsis pasacana ssp. atacamensisEchinopsis pachanoi (syn. Trichocereus pachanoi) (San Pedro cactus)Echinopsis peruviana (syn. Trichocereus peruvianus) (Peruvian torch cactus)Echinopsis scopulicola (syn. Trichocereus scopulicolus), 0.82% mescaline by dry weight in the outer green layer.Echinopsis spachiana (syn. Trichocereus spachianus), Mescaline; MescalineEchinopsis tacaquirensis subsp. taquimbalensis (syn. Trichocereus taquimbalensis), > 0.005-0.025% mescalineEchinopsis terscheckii (syn. Trichocereus terscheckii, Trichocereus werdemannianus) > 0.005-0.025% Mescaline; mescaline 0.01%-2.375%Forbidden Fruit Archives Echinopsis valida (syn. E. validus), 0.025% mescalineEchinopsis werdermannianusOther Other South American psychoactive and/or medicinal cacti

Austrocylindropuntia cylindrica (syn. Opuntia cylindrica), MescalineBrowningia spp. Cylindropuntia echinocarpa (syn. Opuntia echinocarpa), Mescaline 0.01%, DMPEA 0.01%, 4-hydroxy-3-5-dimethoxyphenethylamine 0.01% Cylindropuntia spinosior (syn. Opuntia spinosior), Mescaline 0.00004%, 3-methoxytyramine 0.001%, tyramine 0.002%, 3-4-dimethoxyphenethylamine.Epostoa lanataMatucana madisoniorumNeoraimondia arequipensis (syn.Neoraimondia macrostibas)Opuntia acanthocarpa MescalineOpuntia basilaris Mescaline 0.01%, plus 4-hydroxy-3-5-dimethoxyphenethylamineSelenicereus grandiflorusStetsonia coryne''

Traditional and Indigenous uses Several world regions have historically used psychoactive cacti for their properties, particularly Indigenous peoples from North America and South America, such as in Mexico and the Andes region. Archaeological studies have found evidence of use going back two thousand years. In 2022, the Peruvian Ministry of Culture declared the traditional use of San Pedro cactus in northern Peru as cultural heritage. Lophophora williamsii (peyote) is used by the Native American Church (aka Peyotism).

Legality

See also Cactus alkaloids Entheogenic drugs and the archaeological record List of Acacia species known to contain psychoactive alkaloids List of psychoactive plants List of psychoactive plants, fungi, and animals

References

External links

www.cactus-mall.com