Tag: Peyote

Archaeological evidence suggests that humans have used psychoactive substances for millennia, with some of the earliest examples dating back over 8,000 years. Pinpointing exactly what is the oldest psychedelic drug is a complex task, with several powerful contenders vying for the title based on ancient plant remains, artwork, and historical texts.

Evidence suggests mescaline, the primary psychoactive alkaloid found in cacti like peyote, has been used in ceremonial contexts for over 5,700 years. This powerful hallucinogen is the answer to the question, "What drug do you get from cactus?", and it originates from several species native to the Americas.

For thousands of years, indigenous peoples in North and South America have used mescaline-containing cacti for spiritual and ceremonial purposes. However, when people ask 'What cactus fruit makes you hallucinate?', they are often mistaken about the source of the psychoactive compound; the hallucinogenic effects come from the fleshy body of the cactus, specifically the buttons of the peyote plant, not its small, mostly inedible fruit.

Used for thousands of years by indigenous peoples, certain cacti contain the powerful hallucinogenic compound mescaline, leading to the complex question: **Is cactus psychoactive?**. While many cacti have no psychoactive properties, a distinct few have been revered for their mind-altering effects and hold deep cultural significance.

Evidence of human use of mescaline, a naturally occurring psychedelic alkaloid, dates back 5,700 years [1.9.2]. The answer to 'What psychedelic comes from a cactus?' is primarily **mescaline**, which is famously found in the Peyote and San Pedro cacti [1.2.2, 1.3.3].