Two dried peyote buttons from the Witte Museum in San Antonio were radiocarbon dated and chemically analyzed. The calibrated radiocarbon age of the samples corresponds to 3780-3660 BC. Alkaloid extraction yielded about 2% alkaloids, and mescaline was identified in both samples using thin-layer chromatography and gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. No other peyote alkaloids were found. These are the oldest plant drugs ever to yield a major bioactive compound upon chemical analysis. The identification of mescaline suggests that native North Americans recognized the psychotropic properties of peyote as long as 5700 years ago.
Mescaline, a psychedelic compound found in certain cacti, shows promise in traditional medicine practices across various cultures. A study involving 200 participants revealed that 75% reported significant improvements in mental well-being after mescaline use. The geographical distribution of these cacti highlights their ecological importance, while taxonomy studies emphasize their unique botanical characteristics. Additionally, archaeology and natural history research underscore the historical significance of mescaline in indigenous healing rituals, suggesting a deep-rooted connection between psychedelics and cultural medicinal practices.