Peyote

Lophophora williamsii ~ Peyote

Peyote. Father to the psychoactive alkaloid known commonly as mescaline. A popular past time in the '70's was "eating peyote". Hunter Thompson's references to mescaline and ingesting mescaline are numerous throughout his works. Mescaline could be referred to as "organic LSD".

Peyote is a small spineless cactus that grows commonly in south Texas and throughout Mexico. The dried peyote plant resembles a "button" and caused the term "peyote button" to be coined. This is how I knew them in the '70's.

Peyote Buttons

"In consciousness dwells the wondrous,
with it man attains the realm beyond the material,
and the Peyote tells us,
where to find it."
Antonin Artaud, The Tarahumars (1947)

As you will recall from my very first post, Artaud was also featured in a quote. The man apparently was a very deep thinker...and possibly on mescaline as he was thinking.

“Peyote is reported to trigger states of “deep introspection and insight” that have been described as being of a metaphysical or spiritual nature. At time, these can be accompanied by rich visual or auditory effect.”

Wikipedia

Peyote has been used for well over 5000 years in Native American ceremonies, for things similar to a vision quest, as well as for medicinal purposes ranging from toothache and childbirth pain to skin diseases and diabetes. The peyote extract (peyocactin) also has proven to contain strong anti-microbial agents. Study results:

"Peyocactin proved effective against 18 strains of penicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus, several other bacteria, and a fungus."

Another reference Hunter makes in various writings involve his time in San Francisco during what is known as the Beat Generation. He was friends with at least two authors who frequently used mescaline to inspire their creativity.

You may have heard of Ken Kesey. He wrote the book One Flew Over The Cuckoos Nest while working at a psychiatric ward. He admits to choking down 8 peyote buttons and was inspired to write the narration of the first three pages while in his mescaline heightened state.

Allan Ginsberg was also a friend of Hunters and credited a peyote-induced state for some of his writing in the controversial poem, "Howl". Written in 1954, this poem was actually put on trial for obscenity and banned or confiscated at book stores. A judge eventually ruled it was not obscenity. I have linked to the poem and also put it on a page at the top of the blog. It is very interesting and lengthy...literally one. long. sentence. Read and you be the judge.

Peyote has been exempt as any kind of drug or controlled substance for Native Americans foruse in ceremonial activites. To the extent that they may enter, "No" on an armed forces application about whether or not they have ever used illegal drugs...truthfully.

The DEA has classified peyote as a Schedule I controlled substance but with the allowed uses for Native American religious ceremonies and other grey areas, it seems a little unclear of the legality of growing, transporting, etc. this tiny little cactus.

I think Hunter Thompson liked his mescaline and did much of his writing in various states of mescaline influence.

Any experience with peyote or mescaline? Has anyone seen the film Altered States with John Hurt?
One Flew Over The Cuckoos Nest?

~Veritas Aequitas~