Huachuma, the Andean psychedelic cactus, is drawing Western seekers and raising ethical questions

Huachuma, the Andean cactus better known as San Pedro, contains mescaline, a psychoactive compound that alters perception and mood.

By: Pardis Mahdavi, University of California, Berkeley, The Conversation

Outlets: The Conversation

Published: September 8, 2026

Words: 1,482

Last Updated: 1 month, 1 week ago

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By Pardis Mahdavi, University of California, Berkeley

For at least two decades, thousands of Americans have been going to Peru, Ecuador, Colombia and Brazil to look for ayahuasca, a psychoactive brew traditionally used in sacred ceremonies in South America. Ayahuasca contains the psychedelic compound DMT, N-Dimethyltryptamine, and researchers are studying its effects on several conditions, including depression and addiction.

However, another sacred plant is quietly drawing Western seekers as well: huachuma, the Andean …

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