What is Peyote? Lophophora williathemsii, known by its common
name of peyote, is a spineless cactus found in southern Texas
and northern Mexico. Although the flowers on the cactus do not
bloom on a regular basis, when they do appear, they produce a
pink fruit that is edible. The cactus contains mescaline and
other psychoactive alkaloids, and as such is commonly used as a
psychotic drug. The drug is made from harvested 'buttons' that
grow on the tops of the roots. The mescaline content of dried
peyote is high (as much as six percent) but is only one percent
in undried peyote. Interestingly enough, the purpose of the
mescaline found in the peyote cactus is to repel potential
predators. The cactus is very small and has no spines to provide
protection, so it instead produces mescaline. The mescaline
causes a severe reaction in animals that eat it. From then on,
those unfortunate enough to eat the mescaline will avoid it in
the future. For thousands of years, peyote has been used during
the religious ceremonies of