Effects of Peyote Abuse: Short-Term, Long-Term, Side Effects, and Treatment

What Is Peyote Used For?

Peyote (or mescaline) belongs to a class of drugs known as hallucinogens.

Mescaline is the active hallucinogenic ingredient in peyote, which is a small, spineless cactus.¹ The top, or crown, of the peyote cactus has circular-shaped buttons that are cut off and ingested in a variety of ways, such as by chewing them, soaking them in water to produce a psychoactive liquid, grinding them into a fine powder that can be swallowed in capsules, or smoking them with marijuana or tobacco.¹ Mescaline can be synthetically derived as well.¹ Common street names for peyote or mescaline include “cactus,” “mesc,” “peyote,” and “buttons.”^1,2

Peyote has long been used in religious rituals to connect users with spiritual entities or deities by detaching them from reality and inducing visions.³ Current users of peyote may do so in a more social or recreational manner, using mescaline to relax, enjoy themselves, or achieve enlightenment.³

In the United States, peyote and mescaline are listed by the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) as Schedule I drugs, meaning they have no currently accepted medical use, a high potential for abuse, and are considered unsafe for use, even under medical supervision.¹

Effects of Peyote on the Brain

Peyote has various short-term effects on the brain, similar to the effects of other hallucinogenic drugs such as LSD and psilocybin (“magic mushrooms”).¹ Peyote is thought to elicit its effects by disrupting neurotransmitter transmission in the parts of the brain that affect mood, thought, and perception.^2,4 These effects on the brain can include:^1,2

• Altered body image or sense of self.
• Altered perception of time and space.
• Euphoria.
• Feelings of anxiety or panic.
• Feeling relaxed or detached from surroundings.
• Hallucinations, which can affect any of the senses—visual, auditory, etc.
• Illusions.
• Increased intensity of emotions and sensations.
• Mood swings.⁵
• Paranoia.
• Spiritual experiences.
• Synesthesia, or a mix-up of senses, such as hearing colors or seeing sounds.
• Temporary psychosis.

Drug use often precipitates the development of tolerance, where the brain becomes desensitized to the effects of a drug. This leads to the person requiring more of the drug to attain the desired effects. There is some evidence that hallucinogens such as peyote can produce tolerance.² Another phenomenon—known as cross-tolerance—occurs with many hallucinogenic drugs.² Taking specific hallucinogens can increase a person’s tolerance to different, chemically similar hallucinogens, such as LSD, mushrooms, and peyote, since they work on the same areas of the brain.²

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Effects of Peyote on the Body

Peyote also has strong effects on the body, similar to other hallucinogenic drugs. These physical effects may include:^1,2,4

• Dilated pupils.
• Dry mouth.
• Flushed skin.
• Increase in body temperature, which can lead to excessive sweating.
• Headaches.
• Increased energy levels.
• Increased heart rate.
• Increased blood pressure.
• Muscle weakness.
• Impaired motor skills and coordination.
• Loss of appetite.
• Nausea or vomiting.
• Sleep difficulties.

The long-term effects of peyote use on the body are not well known and require more research. This drug should never be used during pregnancy, as peyote has been linked to abnormalities in developing fetuses.⁴

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How Long Do Peyote Effects Last?

Peyote, like many other hallucinogens, is a relatively long-acting drug. The effects of peyote can start to be felt between 20 to 90 minutes after ingestion and can last for up to 12 hours.^2,4 Ingesting peyote is known as a “trip,” and the overall experience can be highly unpredictable.

The experience and intensity of peyote’s effects are highly impacted by various factors, including the amount of peyote consumed, as well as the user’s:⁴

• Mood.
• Personality.
• Surroundings.
• Expectations of the peyote trip.

A good trip can provide enjoyable sensations, mental stimulation, and a feeling of heightened insight, while a “bad trip” can cause horrifying thoughts and emotions, such as anxiety, despair, or fear of loss of control, madness, or death.⁴

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How Many People Use Peyote?

While substance use in America is monitored with regular surveys, hallucinogens are studied as a class, making it somewhat difficult to tease out data specific to this substance. The category of hallucinogens includes LSD, PCP, peyote, mescaline, psilocybin mushrooms, and MDMA.⁷

The following 2014 statistics associated with hallucinogen use were reported:⁷

• Approximately 1.2 million Americans aged 12 and older reported current use of hallucinogens.
• 322,000 more men than women reported past-month hallucinogen use.
• More than 930,000 people aged 12 and older tried hallucinogens for the first time.
• About 136,000 Americans between the ages of 12 and 17 reported using hallucinogens.
• About 502,000 Americans between the ages of 18 and 25 were current hallucinogen users.
• An estimated 535,000 Americans aged 26 and older reported current hallucinogen use.

Find Peyote Addiction Treatment Programs

If you or a loved one is struggling with addiction, help is available and recovery is possible. Professional addiction treatment can start anyone battling a substance use problem on the path to a happier and healthier life. Rehab programs are located throughout the U.S., and a variety of treatment types is available. You can use SAMHSA’s Find Treatment tool to search for facilities. Many state government websites will also provide local drug and alcohol resources to those in need. To find your state government’s website, do a web search for your state name and ‘.gov.’

American Addiction Centers (AAC) is a leading treatment provider and has trusted rehab programs across the country. To learn about treatment options with AAC, please contact one of our caring admissions navigators free at .

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