Mescalina y ritual del cactus de san Pedro: evidencias arqueológicas y etnográficas en el norte de Perú
Revista de Neurología January 1, 2006 Francisco Javier Carod-Artal, C Vázquez-cabrera 27 citations
The San Pedro cactus, which contains the hallucinogenic alkaloid mescaline, was used ritually by pre-Columbine cultures in northern Peru, including Cupisnique (1500 BC), Chavin (1000 BC), Moche (100-750 AD), and Lambayeque (750-1350 AD). Archaeological evidence supports its use for magical-religious purposes. Today, master shamans employ San Pedro on altars (mesas) during healing rites for conditions like enchantment and bad luck. The ritual involves raising or sniffing tobacco with alcohol, ingesting San Pedro, diagnosing diseases, cleansing evil, and flourishing the sick person, performed on sacred Tuesdays and Fridays. San Pedro may be replaced by ayahuasca or mishas (Brugmansia sp.). The ancient tradition persists in Andean shamanism.