Ayahuasca and peyote are plant medicines used for spiritual, mental, and emotional healing. Both induce psychedelic experiences and have a history of use among Indigenous cultures. However, while there are many similarities, these plant medicines contain different compounds, resulting in distinct effects.
If you’re exploring natural psychedelics and understand how ayahuasca and peyote compare, keep reading. We’ll take a look at the differences and similarities between these two plant medicines, including their origins, effects, safety profiles, and what you might expect in a ceremony.
Key Takeaways
- Ayahuasca is a South American brew with DMT; peyote is a cactus with mescaline.
- Both have long histories of traditional spiritual and healing use.
- Ayahuasca experiences are shorter, more intense; peyote experiences are longer, slower, and reflective.
- Side effects include nausea, heart rate changes, and strong emotional reactions; both can interact with medications.
- Choosing between ayahuasca and peyote depends on your goals, preferences, and health.
What Is Ayahuasca?
Active Compounds in Ayahuasca
Ayahuasca refers to a brew of plants containing the potent psychedelic molecule DMT (dimethyltryptamine) and MAOIs (monoamine oxidase inhibitors). DMT is found in many natural substances, but, under normal circumstances, it’s broken down by enzymes called monoamine oxidases (MAOIs) before it reaches the brain. The MAOIs in ayahuasca inhibit these enzymes, giving rise to a long-lasting psychedelic experience.
Typically, ayahuasca is made from two core components: the Banisteriopsis caapi vine, which contains DMT, and the Psychotria viridis shrub, which contains MAOIs. Different variations of the brew may use different MAOI-containing plants, as well as other additional plants and brewing methods.
Origins of Ayahuasca
Ayahuasca comes from the Amazon rainforest in South America and has been used by more than 160 Indigenous groups in the region. One of the most well-known groups is the Shipibo people from the Peruvian Amazon.
Traditionally, Shipibo healers drank the brew to connect with plant spirits and receive guidance on how to support the healing of others. However, in most ceremonies today, participants drink ayahuasca themselves to seek spiritual insight and personal growth.
Other traditional uses for ayahuasca include hunting (typically, in smaller doses) and helping restore harmony within a social group.
What Is Peyote?
Active Compounds in Peyote
Peyote is a small cactus that grows in Mexico and the southwestern United States. The primary active compound in peyote is mescaline, which was first extracted in the 19th century and gained popularity in the 1950s.
Aldous Huxley, famous for discovering LSD, wrote about his journeys with mescaline in the classic psychedelic novel The Doors of Perception. While peyote is the most well-known psychoactive cactus, several other species also contain mescaline.
Origins of Peyote
Archaeological evidence shows that Indigenous peoples have used peyote for thousands of years. Groups in Mexico, such as the Huichol, and North America, such as the Comanche, regard peyote as a sacred plant and use it in spiritual and healing ceremonies. Peyote is used to help people connect with the spirit world and their own inner guidance.
The Native American Church (NAC) is a religious movement that brings together indigenous communities that ritualistically use peyote. It was officially established in 1918 and combines indigenous beliefs with elements of Christianity. Members have been legally allowed to access peyote since the American Indian Religious Freedom Act of 1978.
Effects of Ayahuasca vs Peyote
Everyone’s response to psychedelics is unique and can vary greatly from one experience to the next. There are no guaranteed outcomes, but some common effects and themes often appear.
Effects of Ayahuasca Effects of Peyote
Ayahuasca sessions typically last four to six hours, with effects beginning one to two hours after drinking. Many people report visionary experiences, often entering dream-like scenarios. These visions can be personal, relating to memories, or more cosmic, giving the sense of exploring other realms.
During ayahuasca experiences, most people undergo deep introspection, gaining new perspectives on memories, thoughts, and emotions.
Physically, ayahuasca can cause nausea and vomiting. While unpleasant for some, many view this “purging” as beneficial. In ceremonies, vomiting and diarrhea are often considered as a release of stuck or negative energies.
Ayahuasca is sometimes called “mother ayahuasca” as people believe the plant has a spirit, which is both feminine and caring.
Effects of Peyote
Peyote takes between 30 minutes and two hours for effects to begin and lasts longer than ayahuasca, usually around 10 to 12 hours.
Its effects are less intense visually than ayahuasca. You may notice mild changes in perception, such as brighter colors or slight movement in images, but peyote generally does not produce experiences of alternate realities or otherworldly realms.
The psychoactive effects of peyote are often more emotional than perceptual. Many people experience a sense of emotional release and report feeling grounded, present, and connected to their surroundings during these experiences.
Like ayahuasca, peyote can cause purging, which may be unpleasant or, for some, beneficial. It can also cause mild nausea or physical discomfort.
Peyote is sometimes called “Grandfather Peyote.” Like ayahuasca, it is believed by some to have its own spirit, characterized as being old, subtle, and wise.
Ayahuasca vs. Peyote Ceremonies
Psychedelic ceremonies are when psychedelics are taken intentionally by an individual or a group of individuals under the guidance of a facilitator or healer. Ceremonies typically take place in secluded natural settings and occur throughout the night.
Ayahuasca Ceremonies
Ayahuasca ceremonies usually include prayers, singing, and music to guide the experience. In traditional Shipibo ceremonies, healers will sing icaros, which are magical songs that help channel the power of plants. Other ceremonies tend to feature a more diverse range of music, often including songs played on the guitar.
Some ceremonies may require you to sit quietly or lie down, whereas others may encourage movement and dancing. For instance, in the Santo Daime tradition from Brazil, participants spend large amounts of time dancing together in geometric formations.
During ayahuasca ceremonies, you may have the option to use other natural medicines native to the Amazon, such as rapé (snorted tobacco) and sáñanga (eye drops).
Peyote Ceremonies
Peyote ceremonies also include prayers and music to guide the participants through the experience. However, the music typically consists of singing and drumming, or playing a rattle. Leaders of NAC ceremonies, called roadmen, use specific songs and prayers to help participants focus, connect spiritually, and navigate their journey.
Peyote ceremony participants usually sit in a circle or around a sacred fire, maintaining a quiet and reflective atmosphere. Some ceremonies may include storytelling, sharing of personal experiences, and periods of meditation.
Ceremonial tobacco is often used in NAC ceremonies. The smoke is seen as a carrier of prayers to the spirit realms.
Risks of Ayahuasca vs Peyote
Side Effects
Both ayahuasca and peyote can cause side effects. The most common physical effects include nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea. Both can also increase heart rate and blood pressure and may cause dizziness.
Drug Interactions
Ayahuasca and peyote can have dangerous interactions with certain medications. Ayahuasca should never be taken with drugs that increase serotonin, such as antidepressants (SSRIs, SNRIs, MAOIs), because this can lead to serotonin syndrome, a potentially life-threatening condition.
Peyote also affects serotonin and can theoretically contribute to serotonin syndrome, but the risk is generally lower than with ayahuasca. In any case, combining peyote or ayahuasca with serotonin-affecting medications is unsafe and should be avoided.
Psychological Harm and Integration
Because these plant medicines create a non-ordinary state of consciousness, you may feel confused, disoriented, or anxious during a trip. Intense emotions may arise, and you might encounter difficult memories or challenging psychological material.
Processing difficult experiences on psychedelics can be deeply healing, but this requires the right support and mental states. If unprocessed, these trips can have a long-term negative impact. This can include derealization and depersonalization, which is when you feel disconnected from your surroundings and sense of self.
For these reasons, understanding integration is essential, no matter what type of psychedelic you use. Integration is the process by which you process psychedelic experiences, understanding their value and how to hold them in your everyday life.
You can seek professional support from an integration therapist or join an integration circle, where you can speak with others who may have had similar experiences.
Choosing Between Ayahuasca and Peyote
If you’re interested in exploring natural psychedelics and have been thinking about using ayahuasca or peyote, here are some things to consider:
- Visionary experiences: Ayahuasca typically induces more visionary out-of-body experiences, whereas peyote is often more emotional and grounded
- Length of trip: Ayahuasca typically lasts shorter than peyote; However, multiple cups are drunk during the ceremony, and so the overall experience length may be the same
- Legality: Ayahuasca is legal in areas of South America; however, there’s a largely unregulated market in this region, so it’s essential to research the safest places beforehand; Peyote is legal in Central America, but only for members of the NAC
- Endangered species: Unlike the plants in ayahuasca, peyote is an endangered species which takes a long time to grow, and so may be considered less sustainable; However, in the Amazon, large areas of land are now being deforested to cater for the growing ayahuasca tourism industry
No matter which option you choose, it’s essential to approach plant medicine with care and caution.
Attend only ceremonies or retreats that have been personally recommended by someone you trust or that have strong, credible reviews. Before committing, speak directly with the healers or retreat staff to ensure you feel comfortable with them and that they provide proper integration support.
Organisers should also have a solid understanding of medical safety. They should review your medical history and any medications or substances you’re using to confirm that the plant medicine is safe for you.
