San Pedro cactus
Echinopsis pachanoiThe Spanish named it after Saint Peter, keeper of heaven’s keys, as the cactus too was believed to open the gate of the sky.
What is San Pedro cactus?
San Pedro cactus (Echinopsis pachanoi) is a plant of the Cactaceae family. Traditions that use it: Andes. Part used: stem.
What is San Pedro cactus used for?
Traditional use: On Peru’s northern coast and in the highlands, healers serve huachuma in all-night “mesa” ceremonies to see the cause of illness and break sorcery. Scientific evidence: traditional. Contains mescaline.
Is San Pedro cactus safe?
Safety label: high risk. Causes severe nausea, vomiting and racing heart and carries psychiatric risks. Dangerous for people with heart disease or a history of psychosis. Legal status: Restricted in Türkiye.
Traditional use
On Peru’s northern coast and in the highlands, healers serve huachuma in all-night “mesa” ceremonies to see the cause of illness and break sorcery.
Stone carvings at Chavín de Huántar (1st millennium BC) show figures holding this cactus, pointing to a tradition of over 3,000 years.
In nature
Mix-up risk
Resembles many columnar cacti. Mescaline content varies greatly between species and between plants.
Preparation
The stem is sliced and boiled for hours.
What science says
Contains mescaline. Its clinical effects have been studied far less than those of psilocybin and LSD.
Safety
Causes severe nausea, vomiting and racing heart and carries psychiatric risks. Dangerous for people with heart disease or a history of psychosis.
Drug interactions
| Medicine or substance | Why it matters |
|---|---|
| Antidepressants and MAO inhibitors | May change the effect of mescaline unpredictably. |
| Blood pressure and heart medicines, stimulants | Raises blood pressure and heart rate. |
This list is not complete. If you take regular medication, ask your pharmacist or doctor before trying San Pedro cactus.
Legal status
Its mescaline is a controlled substance. The cactus is sold as an ornamental; preparing it for consumption may be illegal.
Laws differ by country; check local rules before travelling with or buying any plant product.
Culture bridge
Two cacti of mescaline. North America’s peyote and the Andes’ San Pedro carry the same molecule and sit at the heart of ceremonies thousands of years old on two continents. Read the comparison →
Similar plants
Sources
- ResearchThe Ethnopharmacological Use of Mescaline for Psychiatric Disorders: A Systematic Review
- ResearchThe Globalization of Traditional Medicine in Northern Peru: From Shamanism to Molecules
- Botanical recordKew Plants of the World Online: Echinopsis pachanoi
- Titles of research sources are summarised in Turkish on the Turkish page; links open the original English publications.
Written by Edanaz Tınmazlar · Last reviewed: · Türkçe