Lophophora williamsii

Among the Huichol of northwestern Mexico, dried peyote “buttons” are prepared as a mild, bittersweet tea, and the same material is chewed fresh or dry as part of pilgrimage rites and curing ceremonies; the juice may also be pressed from fresh buttons and taken alone (Schaefer and Furst, 1996; Custodio et al., 2012). In the Native American Church of the United States and southern Canada, peyote is placed in a shallow bowl and shared ceremonially; some participants sip the cold aqueous extract from the buttons after the sharing, while others consume the buttons by chewing and swallowing (Slotkin, 1955; Aberle, 1966; Opler, 1938). Among the O’Odham of southern Arizona and northern Sonora, peyote is less frequently encountered, but older accounts describe it being chewed or taken as an infusion for potency and healing (Russell, 1908; Jones, 1908). Across these regions the primary plant part is the crown of the cactus—fresh or dried “buttons” (the uppermost part of the root crown and stem)—and use is tied to ritual fasting, community prayer, divination, and gastrointestinal cleansing.

A concise preparation reflecting reported ceremonial practice is the cold aqueous extract often referred to by NAC members. Place about 6–10 buttons (≈30–45 g) in a bowl and cover with cold water. Let the mixture sit for at least 30 minutes; some ceremonies allow longer steeping. The resulting liquid is sipped as a “dose” while participants rest, and the remaining buttons may be chewed and swallowed. Caution: such use requires culturally supervised setting and group leadership. Individuals with cardiovascular disease, psychiatric conditions, or who are taking certain medications should consult a clinician. Alcohol should not be combined; vomiting may occur as part of the experience, so fluid replacement is important. Do not attempt this preparation in contexts where it is illegal; follow local law and NAC protocol.

Active constituents are well documented and provide a clear chemical rationale for the reported effects. Major alkaloids include mescaline (3,4,5-trimethoxyphenethylamine), together with the imidazole alkaloids hordenine (anhaline), pellotine, and anhalonidine; peyote also contains certain flavonoids and cactaceous-specific lignans. The mescaline-rich fraction is water-soluble and readily extracted by cold infusion, while the other minor alkaloids contribute to the bitter taste and ancillary activity.

Modern relevance is mixed. Although peer‑reviewed pharmacology on mescaline and peyote’s cultural chemistry continues in journals, the cactus itself is protected in Mexico and listed under international narcotics controls, so it is not legally available outside NAC ceremonies in the United States and select jurisdictions; meanwhile, Indigenous communities and scholars continue to document its ceremonial continuity and symbolic life within a legal framework that often restricts broader public access (Aberle, 1966; Custodio et al., 2012).

Scientific and model‑organism uses:
Lophophora williamsii is a non‑model cactus used in research on plant systematics, chemotaxonomy, and conservation. Its complete nuclear genome has been sequenced and is publicly accessible, enabling comparative genomics within Cactaceae. Transcriptomic data support phylogenetic analyses and studies of cactus-specific traits. Community databases include herbarium specimens and occurrence records in global biodiversity portals (e.g., GBIF, iNaturalist), as well as ethnobotanical collections and voucher specimens in specialized repositories (e.g., JSTOR Global Plants; herbarium records). These resources underpin taxonomic revision, population genetics, and biosystematic analyses. No established industrial, craft, or culinary uses are reported. The species is protected in Mexico and listed in CITES Appendix II; international commercial trade is restricted.

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