Hitting the Reset Button: Ceremonial Use of Peyote and Experiences of Personal Change
Heith Copes, Andrew Hochstetler, J. Ragland, Peter S. Hendricks
Journal of Drug Issues August 22, 2024 DOI: 10.1177/00220426241274737 via Semantic Scholar
Summary
People who used peyote in a naturalistic setting reported four core areas of change: reduced drug and alcohol misuse, new perspectives on life, improved mental health, and improved physical health. The duration of change varied by type. Participants attributed these changes to an improved ability to endure challenges, rewiring of the brain, and connecting with spiritual selves. The findings suggest specific areas for research on peyote and psychedelics in clinical and therapeutic settings.
Study at a glance
| Characteristics | Photo-ethnography Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Population | People who attended peyote ceremonies in rural Northcentral Alabama |
| Keywords | Sociology Education |
| Citations | 3 |
| Key finding | Participants reported four core areas of change from peyote use: reduced drug and alcohol misuse, new perspectives on life, improved mental health, and improved physical health. |
Abstract
Our aim is to understand how those who use peyote in a naturalistic setting discuss it changed their lives and to what they attribute this change. To do this, we draw on data from a photo-ethnography of people who attended peyote ceremonies in rural Northcentral Alabama. Broadly, we found that participants discussed four core areas of change: reduced drug and alcohol misuse, new perspectives on life, improved mental health, and improved physical health. The duration of the experienced change varied for each type of change. Participants attributed change to improved ability to endure challenges, rewiring of the brain, and connecting with spiritual selves. Findings give insights into how people experience and make sense of change from peyote. In addition, the findings suggest specific areas of research for those interested in clinical and therapeutic settings relating to peyote in particular, and psychedelics in general.