Peyote (Mescaline)

What It Is: A small button shaped cactus 2-5 inches in diameter, which grow in Mexico and the Southwest United States.  It is traditionally dried and eaten in a ritual setting to induce visions, and has been used by natives of Mexico for thousands of years.  The primary effects of Peyote come from its main active chemical, mescaline.  Looks like hard brown discs, tablets, or capsules.  Slang/street names include mescaline, buttons, big chief, mescalito, etc…

Type of Drug: Hallucinogenic Drug 

Method of Use: Taken orally

What It Does: Produces significant physical, visual, and perceptual changes.  Causes illusions and hallucinations.  The physical effects may include dilated pupils, elevated body temperature, increased heart rate and blood pressure, loss of appetite, sleeplessness, and tremors.  Sensations and feelings may change rapidly.

Health Risks: It is common to have a bad psychological reaction to mescaline.  The user may experience panic, confusion, suspicion, anxiety, and loss of control.  Delayed effects, or flashbacks, can occur even after use has ceased.  A flashback is a recurrence of certain aspects of a person’s experience, without the user having taken the drug again.  (WARNING: Individuals with a family history of schizophrenia or early onset mental illness should be extremely careful because this drug has been known to trigger latent psychological and mental problems).

Legal Status: Illegal in the United States

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