Peyote is a small, button shaped cactus native to Mexico and southern parts of the United States. Potent compounds in peyote, such as mescaline, cause it to have a hallucinogenic effect in humans.

Although peyote has historically had spiritual and ritualistic uses — among Native Americans, in particular — today, many people also use the plant recreationally.

Peyote may also have some health benefits, but research is still in its early stages. Peyote and mescaline both carry risks, and some people may experience side effects after ingesting the plant.

Keep reading to learn more about peyote and mescaline, including origins, how they affect the body, and some of the risks and potential benefits of use.

The peyote cactus, or Lophophora williamsii, gets its common name from the Nahuatl language. The plant is a small, button shaped cactus that grows predominantly in Mexico and the southern parts of the U.S.

Native Americans have known of the plant’s hallucinatory properties for thousands of years, and peyote still holds a sacred place in these cultures. In fact, over 40 tribes in North America and Western Canada still use it in sacred religious ceremonies.