Peyote, a Potential Ethnopharmacologic Agent for Alcoholism and Other Drug Dependencies: Possible Biochemical Rationale
Clinical toxicology January 1, 1977 Kenneth Blum, San Ford L. Futterman, Paul Pascarosa 34 citations
Alcohol and opiate abuse among both Indian and non-Indian individuals became asymptomatic under Native American guidance and through participation in the peyote ritual. Biochemical alkaloids in the peyote cactus, not just mescaline, are pharmacologically similar to neuroamine-derived alkaloids found in the brain during alcohol intoxication. Evidence suggests possible common features of alcohol and opiate dependence, leading to speculation that a common mode of treatment may reside in plants rich in isoquinoline alkaloids.