The name "San Pedro" given to this cactus by Europeans is also noteworthy. According to legend, once a Franciscan monk, whose name history has not preserved, ventured to try uachuma. The spirit of the plant-teacher appeared before him in the form of St. Peter and gave him many valuable revelations. The impressed monk named the ceremony after this apostle, San Pedro.
Active ingredients
San Pedro contains a whole group of active ingredients, including:
- Angalan;
- angalonidine;
- hordenine;
- tyramine;
- 3-methoxytyramine;
- 3,4-dimethoxyphenethylamine;
- 3,5-dimethoxy-4-hydroxy-B-phenethylamine;
- 3-4-dimethoxy-4-hydroxy-B-phenetidamine.
But the main active ingredient is, of course, mescaline. By the way, it is contained in many representatives of the genus Echinopsis. It is one of the most famous hallucinogens that provides vivid visions and other effects during the ceremony. Its action is similar to MDMA. But, of course, when it comes to shamanic rituals, it's not just about chemistry.
To feel the effect of mescaline, a dose of 100 mg is sufficient. But full-fledged communication with a mentor plant begins with 350 mg. By the way, the content of the active substance in the cactus sometimes varies greatly. For example, 50 grams of dried San Pedro may contain either 150 mg of mescaline or 1,150 mg. To avoid overdose, it is very important to choose an experienced shaman. They are called Huachumeros.