Peyote Addiction

Peyote is not physically addictive like drugs such as heroin, but over the long term, users may become addicted to some of its pleasurable psychological effects.

Is Peyote Addictive?

Peyote may not appear addictive, as users do not develop a physical dependence like with other drugs. This means they will not experience uncomfortablewithdrawal symptoms. On the other hand, peyote can be abused, and when people use it repeatedly, they may experience psychological consequences.

People who use peyote regularly can develop a tolerance to it. This means you may lose sensitivity to the drug’s effects, so you need higher doses to achieve the desired effect.

You may also develop a psychological dependence on the drug if you enjoy its effects or the social interactions it can create. Peyote’s side effects can lead people to feel like they need the drug to unwind, let go of stress, or experience the same feelings of sociability they did when using it. A person may not become addicted to the substance itself, but to the trips and experiences peyote creates.

At the same time, peyote doesn’t have the chemical makeup of a drug that’s inherently addictive. Even if someone continues to abuse peyote for an extended period, they won’t have physical withdrawal symptoms if they suddenly stop using it. This means that while psychological dependence can develop with peyote,physical dependencegenerally doesn’t.

What is Peyote?

Peyoteis a type of cactus that contains a hallucinogenic substance called mescaline. The use of peyote dates back to the days of the Aztecs, but it wasn’t until 1967 that the United States federal government outlawed peyote, labeling it as a Schedule I Controlled Substance.

Since peyote is a controlled substance, people may refer topeyote with a street nameto hide their use. For example:

• Buttons
• Cactus
• Nubs
• Mesc.

People may find peyote’s hallucinogenic effects pleasurable, but peyote use can come with serious consequences.

Why Do People Use Peyote?

There are different reasons people might use peyote. The original reasons, as were discussed above, were for medicinal purposes and religious ceremonies. TheNative American Churchstill uses it for reasons that include communicating with spirits, prayer ceremonies and seeing the future.

Medicinally, Native American tribes feel peyote can help treat many conditions, including helping with pain during childbirth, fever, diabetes, blindness, joint pain, skin wounds and general pain.

People who use peyote outside of Native American religious ceremonies are doing so illegally. They may want to experience hallucinations, escape life and reality, or just get away from the stress of their lives. Unfortunately, people often feel that since peyote is natural, it is safe. This isn’t necessarily true.

How is Peyote Used?

There are different ways to use peyote. The buttons, which are dried, are harvested from the roots of the peyote cactus. Once this occurs, peyote can be eaten, brewed as a tea, or turned into a powder. The powdered form can be put into capsules. Peyote can also be smoked by rolling it in a marijuana leaf or tobacco. The powder is referred to as mescaline sulfate, and it’s the purest form of mescaline. It’s also the strongest and the most likely to be addictive.

In peyoteceremonies, people gather inside a teepee or shelter, led by a medicine man in various chants and songs. There will usually be a fire burning in the center. The drug is typically passed around every few hours while chanting and drumming continues. The specifics of peyote ceremonies can differ, but the general concepts are usually very similar.

While some people use peyote recreationally, the Native American Church does not agree with this. They feel this takes away from its spiritual relevance and can’t bring benefits outside of the religious environment. The Native American Church also does not allow minors to use the drug.

How Does Peyote Work?

Peyote isclassifiedas ahallucinogen, which places it in the same category as psilocybin andLSD. When people take hallucinogens, these drugs change how the neural circuits in their brains behave, and they interact with the neurotransmitterserotonin. Many hallucinogens, including peyote, affect the cerebral cortex, which is responsible for thinking, memory and language.

What Are the Risks of Taking Peyote?

While peyote isn’t necessarily addictive in the conventional sense, it can still be a dangerous substance that poses risks to physical and mental health.

What Are the Effects of Peyote and Other Hallucinogens?

TheNational Institute on Drug Abusedescribes hallucinogens as substances that impact the brain in a way that changes perception. When a person takes these drugs, they can:

• See images, feel things and hear sounds that aren’t there or are intensified
• Not know where they are
• Lose their ability to think rationally or communicate
• Think that time is passing more slowly than it is

Unpredictability is one of the biggest risks of using peyote: you have no way of predicting exactly what will happen or what you will experience. Even if you’ve previously used peyote or other hallucinogens and had a certain experience, your next experience could be completely different. There is not any conceivable way to know for sure if you will have a bad or good trip, which is one of the scariest peyote side effects.

A good trip is usually a pleasurable experience in which a person might feel mentally stimulated or enlightened. On the other hand, a bad trip can be extremely scary or anxiety-producing or could lead the person to feel out of control or on the verge of death. You may ultimately lose all control over your thoughts and perceptions, which could lead you to do things you wouldn’t ordinarily do.

Peyote also has potentially dangerous interactions with other drugs, including stimulants. If you take stimulant medications with peyote, it can lead to serious central nervous system problems.

What Happens During a Peyote Trip

During a peyote trip, some people might feel introspective, calm and as if they’re in a very deep meditative state. Others could experience hallucinations that bring them distress or even cause them to put themselves in harm’s way.

Generally,when people take peyote, they begin to feel its effects within 30 to 60 minutes, with the most intense high lasting for three to five hours and then fading over the next few hours. Peyote trips can last up to 12 hours or more in some cases. People tend to see colors more brightly, feel especially insightful, and experience changes in their perception of sight and touch while under the influence of this drug. Peyote is also associated with euphoria, which is why users find this drug desirable.

Signs & Side Effects of Peyote Use

In addition to the risks of the unknown, other physical side effects caninclude:

• Nausea and vomiting, particularly common among new users
• Weakness
• Shortness of breath
• Rapid heart rate
• Increased blood pressure
• Chills or shivering
• Hot flashes
• Sweating
• Insomnia
• High body temperature
• Loss of appetite
• Ataxia (uncoordinated movement)

These signs are not only side effects of a bad trip, but any peyote trip. People may not eat or drink during their trips, so they may become dehydrated. With a bad trip, people may become so afraid, anxious or paranoid that they hurt themselves or someone else, or even commit suicide.

What Are the Long-Term Side Effects of Peyote?

There are many common short-term peyote side effects and symptoms, but what about the long-term repercussions? Two of the biggest consequences of long-term peyote useinclude:

• Persistent Psychosis:A person who abuses peyote over the long term may show continued mental functioning problems, such as strange thinking patterns and paranoid behavior.
• Hallucinogen Persisting Perception Disorder (HPPD):This occurs when a person has flashbacks of hallucinations he or she experienced while under the influence of peyote. These flashbacks can occur several days after a person uses the drug. Flashbacks can occur long after last using peyote, up to a year or even longer.

Hallucinogens don’t seem to be as addictive as other drugs like heroin or cocaine may be. Still, with long-term use, some people may also develop ahallucinogen use disorder,which is the clinical term used for an addiction to drugs like peyote. Some of the signs someone has developed a problem with a hallucinogen can include:

• Taking higher doses or taking peyote more frequently
• Putting significant time and energy toward sourcing more peyote or taking it
• Ignoring responsibilities or giving up things that were once a priority
• Using peyote in dangerous situations, like while driving
• Continuing to take peyote despite bad trips or adverse effects

If you or a loved one is using peyote and is unable to stop despite negative consequences, it may be time to reach out for professional assistance. The Recovery Village offers confidential, non-judgmental services and is available to take your phone call 24/7 to help you begin your journey toward recovery.Reach outtoday to take the first step toward a drug-free lifestyle.