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Peyote is one type of cactus grown in southwestern U. S. and in neighboring parts of Mexico. The active ingredient in peyote is mescaline, a somewhat potent hallucinogenic chemical. It has the capability of being a psychoactive drug causing the user to change what he / she sees, thinks, and feels. Down through the centuries, it has been used as a painkiller, a stimulant, and a spiritual tool in religious ceremonies.
As a controlled substance, not unlike marijuana and LSD, its use is illegal except by the Native American Churches (NAC) - only for the purposes of their religious ceremonies. All other users could be fined and imprisoned. The use of peyote is rich in tradition, dating back 7, 000 to 10, 000 years ago according to some experts. Spiritually, it's been linked with deer and corn as gifts from the gods. Peyote is so deeply rooted in the Native American culture that modern pragmatists see it as virtually impossible to wean the Indian user away from its use; thus ceding the legality of its use, specifically for religious purposes. The addiction effect of mind-altering drugs is one of the reasons why societies and their political and religious leaders discourage its use.
Some of the side effects are thought to be devastating to reason and will. Scientists have studied the psychological and physiological effects for many years. Yet, the use of peyote has been, and remains to this day, so ingrained in the Native American lore and culture that even though many Indians were converted to Christianity years ago, they " ll tie in patron saints with its use. However, not all Native Americans use peyote though they understand its use by specific tribes.
Interestingly enough, when the attempt to teach the young Native American the ways of the white man in an effort to have them forget their own traditions, it didn't always work. In the contrary, oftentimes intertribal friendships were formed in schools, paving the way for the spread of peyote use. Incidentally, there's no medical evidence that peyote is additive, in fact, it is seen as a cure to alcoholism in many tribes. Superstition ran in both directions in by gone times.
Though the users of peyote praised its values in their religious rites, there were others who looked upon its use as evil and misguided at best. Those were the ones who lobbied for the legislative elimination of peyote's use altogether. Quite possibly some of these well-meaning people were motivated by observation of some side effects to peyote such as nausea, vomiting, panic attacks, frightening visions and feelings of being near death which were quite common. At different times in the history of the United States we " ll find decisions handed down by the courts forbidding its use under any circumstance, only to be overturned later on through to modern times where the use of peyote is allowed by those few tribes who do it only in their religious ceremonies. Though the peyote plant grows only in the Chihuahan Desert and can take as long as five years to grow to the size of a dime, the Huichol people of Mexico will annually make a pilgrimage of some 300 miles to gather the peyote "buttons" and a traditional priest called a "shaman" usually leads them. The "buttons" can be eaten fresh or dried.
Peyote has a bitter taste and different methods are used to make it more palatable. Even though there are many forms of cacti, scientists have found that the peyote cactus has more alkaloids. Its base is called alkaloid mescaline. Its effects usually wear off after about eight hours and unlike other psychedelic drugs, peyote and mescaline do not produce a psychological or physical dependence.
And although mescaline is often viewed as an insignificant health risk, doctors found a case establishing that ingestion can be fatal. According to an article from the Western Journal of Medicine "a 32 -year-old Native American man with a history of alcoholism ingested peyote tea. After an uncertain period of time with unknown symptoms, he developed respiratory distress and suddenly collapsed. " The final cause of death was certified as mescaline intoxication. The report also states that "physiologically, mescaline can produce both increases and decreases in blood pressure and heart rate, respiratory depression, and vasodilation. " Thus, the use of peyote for religious or recreational purposes does not go without a risk. Just a few weeks ago I didn't have enough knowledge about peyote use to make a logical decision about whether or not Native Americans should use it in their religious practices. However, after weighing the above information I've decided I was on the "side" of the Native Americans.
Our society has taken everything away from this once bountiful culture, from their land to their religious beliefs. It is time we should step back and stop trying to convert ever other culture into the one we believe in, especially one that was here long before we arrived. In the time of prohibition Catholic priests needed special permission to use wine in their masses. Although the amount of alcohol consumed was miniscule, I see no difference between this example and Native Americans consuming a few peyote "buttons" or drinking peyote tea as part of their religious practices. Especially when the users are miles away from any civilization.
It should also be noted that the First Amendment in the United States Constitution clearly states that "Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof... " Much of the research into using mescaline and other hallucinogens has been phased out. People associated drugs with hippies, and thought it wasn't appropriate for respectable scientists to study them. Many of the scientists received government grants and the politicians who represent the taxpayers didn't think that sort of grant should continue. The drug experts are concerned about the use of peyote in conjunction with alcohol, or other drugs, known as poly drug use.
Their concern isn't necessarily centered on the Native American use in religious ceremonies. Those outside that culture are the subjects in harm's way, especially if they have the belief of "why can't I do it if others can?" Drugs may provide a quick, temporary sense of well-being by triggering highs in the system. However, highs exist within the human nervous system already. Non-drug methods of feeling good can be just as effective as drugs in inducing those highs, though one might have to work harder to achieve that goal. Music, meditation, art, dance, sports, writing, exercise, and outdoor activity can bring on all sorts of good feelings.
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