Hallucinogens

Another ancient, natural hallucinogenic substance is derived from any of a number of Mexican cacti of the genus Lophophora. Relics dating back hundreds of years depict animals with a peyote button in their mouths. The part of the cactus used is the flowering head which contains a potent alkaloid called mescaline. The uses of peyote parallel those of the hallucinogenic mushrooms. The peyote flower was used to induce a state of intoxication and happiness in the user. American Indians of the southwest often employed the cactus in their tribal rites.