Peyote is a variety of cactus considered to be sacred and is used in religious rites by Native Americans. The plant only grows across northern Mexico and America’s south-western region and produces mescaline, a hallucinogenic that binds to and activates certain serotonin receptors in the brain.
Last week, experts warned of a peyote shortage, labeling the psychedelic renaissance occurring in the West as one of the primary causes.
The West’s psychedelic renaissance began in the 50s and 60s, as more evidence surfaced of the therapeutic benefits of psychedelics like LSD and psilocybin. This saw various personalities seek out psychedelic experiences, one of them being author and journalist Hunter S. Thompson, who described his experience driving under the influence of mescaline in Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas.
Aldous Huxley, an English philosopher and writer, also described the spiritual visions he had while on the psychedelic in The Doors of Perception.
Followers of the Native American Church of North America are concerned by the shortage, as they practice peyotism, a fusion of some elements of Christianity and traditional beliefs of Native Americans that regard peyote as one of their sacred sacraments.
The Native American Church began towards the 19th century’s end in the Oklahoma Territory soon after the cactus was brought from Mexico to the southern Great Plains. Normally, the sacrament is taken during the night, around a fire and a sand alter shaped like a half-moon. The altar represents Jesus Christ’s grave. The ceremonies involve singing, prayer, spiritual contemplation, and water rites.
A Navajo member of the church, which has roughly 350,000 followers, explained that peyote was sacred medicine among Native Americans and shouldn’t be experimented with by White people.
Other shortage reasons cited by the experts included land development and overharvesting of the cactus.
This isn’t the first time shortage concerns have been raised by the church either. In 2022, church representatives met government officials to discuss potential protections for the peyote cactus. Under federal law in America, mescaline is classified in Schedule 1 of the CSA and is illegal to possess or use. However, an amendment to the American Indian Religious Freedom Act allows Native Americans to transport, possess, and use the drug in religious ceremonies in accordance with their known traditions.
Despite this, the demand of mescaline among non-Native Americans continued growing. Over in Mexico, diminishing peyote gardens drove the government to enact conservation regulations which classified the cactus as a protected and threatened species.
Calls for the decriminalization of psychedelic substances haven’t helped with the peyote shortage either. States like Oregon and Colorado have already legalized entheogenic substances like peyote, without consulting Native American groups.
The concerns about the dwindling supplies of peyote cactus highlight why it is important for startups like Seelos Therapeutics Inc. (NASDAQ: SEEL) to develop pharmaceutical-grade psychedelic medicines that can be availed to those who need them without relying on plant matter sourced from the wild.
About PsychedelicNewsWire
PsychedelicNewsWire (“PNW”) is a specialized communications platform with a focus on all aspects of psychedelics and the latest developments and advances in the psychedelics sector. It is one of 60+ brands within the Dynamic Brand Portfolio @ IBN that delivers: (1) access to a vast network of wire solutions via InvestorWire to efficiently and effectively reach a myriad of target markets, demographics and diverse industries; (2) article and editorial syndication to 5,000+ outlets; (3) enhanced press release enhancement to ensure maximum impact; (4) social media distribution via IBN to millions of social media followers; and (5) a full array of tailored corporate communications solutions. With broad reach and a seasoned team of contributing journalists and writers, PNW is uniquely positioned to best serve private and public companies that want to reach a wide audience of investors, influencers, consumers, journalists and the general public. By cutting through the overload of information in today’s market, PNW brings its clients unparalleled recognition and brand awareness. PNW is where breaking news, insightful content and actionable information converge.
To receive SMS alerts from PsychedelicNewsWire, text “Groovy” to 888-902-4192 (U.S. Mobile Phones Only)
For more information, please visit https://www.PsychedelicNewsWire.com
Please see full terms of use and disclaimers on the PsychedelicNewsWire website applicable to all content provided by PNW, wherever published or re-published: https://www.PsychedelicNewsWire.com/Disclaimer
PsychedelicNewsWire
San Francisco, CA
www.PsychedelicNewsWire.com
415.949.5050 Office
Editor@PsychedelicNewsWire.com
PsychedelicNewsWire is powered by IBN