Trichocereus cactus species containing Mescaline: T.panchanoi, T.bridgesii, T.peruvianus,T.tercheckii,T.werdermannianus, Macrogonus and several other less common species.
Although there are several methods for preparing this cactus for ingestion, I have personally found one of the methods to be more efficient. Through much trial and error, the method described not only makes the dosage easier to determine, but also allows long term storage of the material without the need for refrigeration.*
Because of the varied alkaloid content in each species, the recipe given is a conservative dosage to prevent any negative experiences for first time users.
Materials needed: Cutting board, sharp paring knife, glass casserole dish or/ cookie sheet, coffee grinder or/ mortar and pestle, measuring spoon, approx. 15 “00” gel caps (optional), Leather work gloves (optional), Latex gloves (optional)
- Approximately 20 inches (50cm) of a 2 inch (5cm) diameter specimen is needed for each dose. Each individual should experiment with the cactus specimen they possess, to determine the dosage needed for the experience desired. The amount of active alkaloids in this approximate dosage (of any of the species listed) is neither an overdose, nor under-dose, for anyone from 75lbs (33kg) to 175lbs (80kg). For any persons weighing over 175lbs, half a dose more should be consumed.
- Using the paring knife (with or without leather gloves) carefully remove all the spines from the piece/section of cactus. This part of the procedure is more easily accomplished by cutting off the entire top “peak” of each ridge of the cactus section. Be careful not to cut off too much flesh, this is where a sharp knife comes in handy.
- After ALL the spines have been removed, carefully peel the epidermal layer from the outside of the cactus. This layer is the outer skin which appears to feel hard and waxy. This will be the most tedious part of the process. You can use your fingernails, or the knife, to initiate the peeling. You then can attempt to pull longer strips of the epidermal layer off, while avoiding removing any of the flesh beneath it. This is easier if the specimen that you use has no imperfections on the outer surface. Wherever there are imperfections, it may be more difficult to peel. The peeling procedure and the following process are very slimy steps; here is when latex gloves may be applied. The slime is anything but harmful. For the “juice” of the San Pedro has been known to have been applied by the indigenous people of Peru for its antiseptic qualities. I have never experienced any reaction from skin contact.
- Once the epidermal layer has been removed, the next step will be to remove the dark green layer (chlorophyllaceous parenchymal tissue), that we have now exposed directly underneath the epidermis. This step is accomplished by carefully filleting this layer off with a paring knife. Try not to remove too much (if any) of the lighter middle flesh (parenchymal tissue) if possible. It is not that this lighter flesh layer is harmful; it is just that it contains minute amounts of the active alkaloids, and therefore it is unnecessary to consume. Once this dark green layer has been removed, then the rest of the cactus can be discarded.
- Take the flesh that you have removed and place the pieces on a clean glass casserole dish, cookie sheet, or any clean surface that can later be scraped with a razor, without scraping any of the surfaces you use.
- Now place this in a dark dry spot until the plant material is completely dry, hard and brittle. This usually takes anywhere from 2-7 days depending on humidity factors.
- Scrape the material off the drying surface using a razor blade or scraper.
- Gather the dried cactus and grind the material into a fine powder using a coffee grinder, or a mortar and pestle.
- Measure out approx. one level Tablespoon of the powder. One Tbs.= 1 dose
- This powder can then be put into gel caps (aprx.12-15) or consumed in a small amount of water (1/4 cup). I suggest gel caps due to the extremely unpleasant bitter flavor of the cactus.
- Best results have been obtained consuming this medicine on a completely empty stomach. I would suggest fasting for a minimum of 12 hours prior to consumption.
- Threshold begins approx. one hour after ingestion, and then peaks around the 4th hour of the experience, and then holds that peak for approx. another four hours, with a slow comedown of approx. another four hours, resulting in an approx. 12 hour journey.
* Dried cactus powder will retain most of its active components for up to one year. I am sure that there are subtle changes in the chemistry during that time frame, though they are difficult to detect. After about one year of storage one may notice a decomposition, which only presents itself through a depletion of the potency in the material.
These preparations are illegal to perform in the U.S.A. Please go south of the border to perform these procedures, where the countries and cultures are not so uptight about people wanting to expand their consciousness through the applications of sacred visionary plant medicines.
Formulated by K.J. Berman for an Entheo-Educational-Experience 2009