Contents
List of Illustrations
A Word from the Author
Introduction
1. Peyote in Mexico
The Spanish Conquest and Peyote
Native American Use of Peyote
Native American Traditions
Possible Origins of Peyotism
Native American Oppression
The Attraction of Peyotism
The Spread of Peyotism
3. Peyote Ceremonies
Preparations for the Ceremony
The Basic Plains Ceremony
Variations of Peyote Ceremonies
Christian Influences
Peyote Music
Memories of a Navajo V-Way Ceremony
4. The Peyote User's Experience
Phases of the Experience
Important Aspects of the Experience
Visions
Adverse Reactions
Use by Native Americans
Early Uses by Anglo-Americans
Possible Antibiotic Actions
Psychiatric Uses
Physiological Effects
Physiological Action of Mescaline
Toxicity of Mescaline
Tolerance
Cytogenetic Effects
Mescaline, LSD, Psilocybin, and Marijuana
Alkaloids
Peyote Alkaloids
Peyote Alkaloids in Other Cacti
Chemically Different Species of Peyote
Mescaline
Structure-Activity Relationship of Mescaline
Biosynthesis of Peyote Alkaloids
8. Botany of Peyote
Botanical History
Common Names of Lophophora
Plants Confused with Peyote
Morphology
Biogeography
Ecology
Characteristics
Evolution
Cultivation
Conservation
9. Legal Aspects of Peyote
Narcotics, Drugs, and Addiction
Religious Freedom
The Comprehensive Drug Abuse Prevention and Control Act of 1970
The United States Supreme Court Decision of 1990
Congressional Actions Since 1990
Epilogue: The Divine Cactus
Appendix A. Peyote Systematics
Appendix B. Peyote Alkaloids
The Comprehensive Drug Abuse Prevention and Control Act of 1970
The American Indian Religious Freedom Act of 1978
The Religious Freedom Restoration Act of 1993
American Indian Religious Freedom Act Amendments of 1994
References Cited
Index