Effect of Peyote on Human Chromosomes
JAMA October 20, 1975 DOI: 10.1001/jama.1975.03260160047012 via OpenAlex
Summary
AI-generated from the abstractLifelong and multigenerational ingestion of peyote, a mescaline-containing cactus with hallucinogenic properties, is not associated with abnormalities in lymphocyte chromosomes. Fifty-seven Huichol Indians with a personal and 1,600-year cultural tradition of peyote use were compared with 50 Huichol Indian controls and ten laboratory controls. The frequency of chromosomal abnormalities did not differ significantly between the experimental and control groups, indicating no detectable genetic damage from this traditional practice.
Study at a glance
| Characteristics | Observational cohort Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Sample size | 117 |
| Population | Huichol Indians with lifelong peyote ingestion, Huichol Indian controls, and laboratory controls |
| Topics | Mescaline |
| Keywords | Ingestion Lymphocyte Traditional medicine Physiology |
| Citations | 20 |
| Key finding | Multigenerational ingestion of peyote is not associated with abnormalities in lymphocyte chromosomes. |
Abstract
Fify-seven Huichol Indians with a lifelong individual history and a 1,600-year cultural tradition of ingestion of peyote, a mescaline-containing cactus possessing hallucinogenic properties, were compared with 50 Huichol Indian controls and ten laboratory controls for effects on lymphocyte chromosomes. The frequency of abnormalities in the experimental and control groups did not differ significantly. Our results indicate that multigenerational ingestion of peyote is not associated with abnormalities in lymphocyte chromosomes.