How to Use Peyote: From Harvest to Spiritual Journey

June 10 2025, by Noah
10 min reading time

Peyote is a sacred cactus containing the psychoactive substance mescaline. This guide will teach you how to safely dry, prepare, and dose peyote for spiritual use. It includes effects, methods of use, and important safety tips.

Peyote ( Lophophora williamsii ) is a small, spineless, globular cactus that has been an integral part of the culture of indigenous communities in North and Central America, such as the Huichol and Navajo tribes, for thousands of years, and even at least 5,000 years. Known for its psychoactive compounds, particularly mescaline, this plant is used for spiritual, ritual, and ceremonial purposes, considered a sacred plant that promotes connection with nature and the spiritual world.

It's important to note that peyote is a protected species listed on the Red List. This is partly due to increasing recreational use, but also due to religious use.

Discover our collection of mescaline cacti such as Peyote, San Pedro, and Peruvian Torch!

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Effects and Duration of a Peyote Trip

Peyote's main psychoactive ingredient is mescaline, a phenethylamine that profoundly affects consciousness and perception. Users often experience vivid visions and an altered perception of time and space. This can lead to profound insights, a sense of connection with everything around them, and sometimes even magical or religious experiences. Many describe mescaline as an experience similar to that of LSD, but softer, more colorful, and warmer.

The effects of peyote usually begin within 30 minutes of ingestion. This initial phase is often accompanied by nausea, sweating, chills, abdominal cramps, and tearing. These symptoms generally disappear as the trip unfolds. The peak of the trip is usually reached after one to two hours. The total duration of a peyote trip can last between 8 and 12 hours. Higher doses can even extend the trip to as long as 16 or, in some cases, 24 hours.

Peyote cactus with roots, freshly harvested and ready for drying or further preparation

Peyote cactus with roots, freshly harvested and ready for drying or further preparation

Drying Peyote

Drying peyote is essential for long-term storage and preparation into powder or tea. This process can also increase the mescaline concentration per gram.

Harvesting Peyote : The above-ground green head of the peyote, also called the "peyote button," contains the most mescaline. Cut off this head, leaving the underground white root intact in the pot. The root contains little to no mescaline and can continue to grow to form new heads.
Stressing the Cactus (optional) : Some methods suggest storing peyote cuttings in a cool, dark place (around room temperature; cooler is better than warmer) for several weeks to over a month. This process, which "stresses" the plant, can increase its alkaloid content as a defense mechanism. Avoid freezing fresh cuttings, but once cut, the pulp can be frozen to break the cell walls and facilitate extraction.
Drying the harvested Peyote :

Cut the Peyote cacti into slices of about 1 cm thick.
Place the slices in an oven and dry them at a maximum temperature of 50°C until they feel bone dry.
Alternatively, the slices can be dried in the sun. Traditionally, Native Americans and Peyoteros dried the buds in large, mesh-bottomed containers for storage.
It's important that the cactus is completely dry, as any residual moisture can cause spoilage. They should snap when bent.

Peyote cactus in a flowerpot with its roots still in the ground; on top are cut discs about 1 cm thick, ready for drying or cooking.

Peyote cactus in a flowerpot with its roots still in the ground; on top are cut discs about 1 cm thick, ready for drying or cooking.

Use of Peyote

Peyote can be consumed in a variety of ways, each with its own advantages and disadvantages:

A. Chewing Raw : The most common traditional method is to chew the cactus (fresh or dried) until the mescaline is absorbed through the oral mucosa. Peyote, however, has a bitter, painful taste. This intense bitterness can even cause nausea before the effects take effect. To reduce the bitter taste, you can drink unsweetened pineapple juice or another fruit juice while chewing. It is recommended to eat nothing for at least six hours beforehand for optimal results.
B. Powder (from dried peyote) : The dried slices or buttons can be ground into a fine powder, for example, with a mortar and pestle. This powder can be consumed directly, although this often leads to stomach cramps. You can take 5 grams of powder at a time with a sip of water or juice and swallow it quickly to avoid the taste. The powder can also be filled into empty capsules to completely avoid the bitter taste.
C. Brewing Tea (most common and most pleasant way) : This preparation method is often experienced as the most pleasant because it reduces the chance of negative side effects such as nausea and abdominal cramps.

Method 1 (Short Cooking) : Cut the peyote into small pieces and boil them in water for about half an hour . Then strain the peyote and drink the liquid.
Method 2 (from dried peyote) : Dissolve 20 grams of dried peyote in a cup of boiling water . This is said to produce the best results for an average trip.
Concentrating (for tea) : It's possible to reduce the liquid further to a smaller, more manageable amount without compromising its potency. Keep in mind that the flavor will be more concentrated and unpleasant. During the reduction process, some white-green foam may form; these are impurities that can cause nausea and should be carefully removed.

Peyote Dosage

The mescaline content of peyote can vary significantly depending on age and growing conditions. It's crucial to always start with a low dose to test your cactus's potency.

General guideline : 27 grams of dried Peyote contains approximately 300 mg of mescaline.

Here are the recommended dosages for dried Peyote:

Lower limit noticeable effect : approximately 13.5 grams of dried Peyote.
Mild trip : 15 grams of dried peyote. This corresponds to a dose of approximately 150 mg of mescaline.
Average trip : 20 grams of dried peyote. This falls within the range of 150-300 mg of mescaline.
Strong trip : 30 grams of dried peyote. This is equivalent to 300-400 mg of mescaline, and the trip typically lasts 6 to 12 hours.
Intense trip with possible ego dissolution : 40.5–45 grams of dried peyote, equivalent to 450–500 mg of mescaline. The trip can last about 12 hours.
A very intense trip with a guaranteed ego-dissolution : 45–54 grams of dried peyote, equivalent to 500–600 mg of mescaline. This trip can last about 24 hours.

About 150 grams of fresh peyote is needed for a mild trip. However, this is not recommended due to its extremely bitter taste.

Due to the varying potency, it is advisable to build up the dosage gradually: first take half the planned dose, wait 60-90 minutes to assess the effects, and then take the remainder if desired.

Safety Considerations

As with all psychedelics, it's wise to always use peyote in a safe, familiar environment and under the supervision of a sober trip sitter. It's absolutely not suitable for a cozy night of tripping on the couch with friends. Do not drive during the trip.

Avoid use in case of:

Mental health problems, such as depression, anxiety, psychosis or schizophrenia.
Heart problems, high blood pressure or blood pressure lowering medications.
Other medical conditions such as kidney dysfunction, stomach ulcer, diabetes, glaucoma, thyroid disorders.
Pregnancy or breastfeeding.

Do not combine mescaline cacti with other substances, such as:

Alcohol and cannabis.
Stimulant drugs such as cocaine and amphetamines.
Tramadol.
MAOIs (Monoamine Oxidase Inhibitors) such as Banisteriopsis caapi, Syrian Rue (Peganum harmala), Passionflower, Yohimbe, certain (older) antihypertensives, some sleeping pills, MDMA (ecstasy), certain anesthetics, anti-migraine medications, anti-allergy medications, Ephedra/ephedrine, pseudoephedrine, Macromerine, Phentermine, LSA, MDA-related herbs, and caffeine. Combining these medications with MAOIs can be life-threatening.
Combinations with other psychedelic substances such as LSA, truffles or mushrooms are strongly discouraged.

Peyote is not addictive , but tolerance does build up quickly. This means you have to wait several days to weeks after use for tolerance to recover for a comparable effect.

People hold freshly harvested peyote buttons in their hands under the moon, amidst a vast desert landscape – a symbol of ceremonial use and connection with nature.

People hold freshly harvested peyote buttons in their hands under the moon, amidst a vast desert landscape, symbolizing ceremonial use and connection with nature.

Respectful and Conscious Travel with Peyote

Peyote isn't your average cactus; it's a sacred plant with a deep spiritual history. Whether you're seeking insight, healing, or an intense consciousness experience, using peyote requires respect, preparation, and care. By thoroughly exploring the correct dosage, safe settings, and responsible preparation, you not only increase your chances of a meaningful trip but also show respect for the age-old traditions from which this cactus originates.

Never use Peyote lightly, but see it as an invitation to introspection, surrender and connection – with yourself, nature and something greater than yourself.

Discover our collection of mescaline cacti such as Peyote, San Pedro, and Peruvian Torch!

View all mescaline cacti