Many cacti are known to be psychoactive, containing phenethylamine alkaloids such as mescaline However, the two main ritualistic (folkloric) genera are Echinopsis, of which the most psychoactive species is the San Pedro cactus (Echinopsis pachanoi, syn. Trichocereus pachanoi), and Lophophora, with peyote (Lophophora williamsii) being the most psychoactive species. Several other species pertaining to other genera are also psychoactive, though not always used with a ritualistic intent.
Several world regions have historically used psychoactive cacti for their properties, particularly Indigenous peoples from Central and South America, such as in Mexico and the Andes region. For this purpose (which includes commercial harvesting) cacti plants are specifically grown in the millions.
Lophophora williamsii (peyote)Other "peyotes"
Ariocarpus fissuratusCoryphantha compactaPelecyphora aselliformis; strobiliformisLophophora diffusaAriocarpus retususAriocarpus agavoides; kotschoubeyanus; and other speciesAstrophytum asterias; capricorne; myriostigma; and other speciesAztekium ritteri; and other speciesCoryphantha elephantidens; macromeris (var. runyonii); palmeri; and other speciesEchinocactus grandis; grusonii; platyacanthus; visnaga; and other speciesEpithelantha micromeris; and other speciesLeuchtenbergia principis'; and other speciesLophophora speciesMammillaria craigii; grahamii (var. oliviae); heyderi; (Dolichothele) longimamma; (Solisia) pectinifera; (Mamillopsis) senilis; sonorensis; and other speciesObregonia denegriiStrombocactus disciformisTurbinicarpus laui; lophophoroides; jauernigii; pseudomacrochele; (Pelecyphora) pseudopectinatus; schmiedickeanus; and other speciesOther North American psychoactive and/or medicinal cacti-
Carnegiea giganteaEchinocereus salm-dyckianus (var. scheeri); triglochidiatus; and other speciesPachycereus pecten-aboriginum; pringleiEchinopsis lageniformis (syn. Trichocereus bridgesii) (Bolivian torch cactus)Echinopsis pachanoi (syn. Trichocereus pachanoi) (San Pedro cactus)Echinopsis peruviana (syn. Trichocereus peruvianus) (Peruvian torch cactus)Other South American psychoactive and/or medicinal cacti
Armatocereus laetusBrowningia spp.Epostoa lanataMatucana madisoniorumNeoraimondia macrostibasTrichocereus terscheckiiStetsonia coryne
