FolkKB

San Pedro cactus

Echinopsis pachanoi

Echinopsis pachanoi, commonly known as San Pedro cactus, is a traditional medicinal plant native to Peru and Ecuador. Its use in traditional medicine has not been extensively documented; however, it is revered by some indigenous communities for its psychoactive properties. Scientific evidence indicates that Echinopsis pachanoi contains mescaline, which was studied using advanced analytical techniques such as laser desorption low-temperature plasma mass spectrometry imaging. The research found only limited data on the plant's use and no significant scientific studies on its traditional medicinal applications. In terms of safety, there are currently no major issues recorded for Echinopsis pachanoi. Similarly, no notable drug interactions have been reported.

At a glance
Best evidence
B
Cautions
—

Informational only. Traditional use does not mean proven effectiveness. Evidence and safety vary — check the cited sources.

What the science says

  • The study demonstrated the effective mapping of secondary metabolites such as mescaline in Echinopsis pachanoi using laser desorption low-temperature plasma mass spectrometry imaging. D PMID
  • The study found only one potential case of Echinopsis pachanoi (San Pedro cactus) related to illegal trade on the dark web. D PMID
  • Echinopsis pachanoi mescaline showed dose-proportional increases in exposure and maximal concentrations, with varying effect intensities and durations. B PMID
  • The study found that random forest processing of DART-HRMS data could accurately identify species of psychoactive plants, including Echinopsis pachanoi. D PMID

Frequently asked questions

What is San Pedro cactus?

San Pedro cactus (Echinopsis pachanoi) is a plant documented in FolkKB's traditional-medicine reference, drawn from sourced literature and cross-checked against the evidence.

What does the scientific evidence say about San Pedro cactus?

4 sourced findings are recorded for San Pedro cactus; the strongest carries evidence grade B. For example: The study demonstrated the effective mapping of secondary metabolites such as mescaline in Echinopsis pachanoi using laser desorption low-temperature plasma mass spectrometry imaging.

How strong is the evidence for San Pedro cactus?

The strongest finding for San Pedro cactus carries evidence grade B — moderate evidence. Grades run A (strongest) to D (preliminary or traditional).

Is San Pedro cactus safe? What are the side effects?

No major safety issues are recorded for San Pedro cactus in our sources, but the data may be incomplete. Consult a qualified professional before use.

Does San Pedro cactus interact with medications?

No drug interactions are recorded for San Pedro cactus in our sources. This does not rule them out — check with a pharmacist.

Is San Pedro cactus a proven treatment?

No. FolkKB is informational only. Traditional use and early findings are not proof of efficacy or safety — consult a qualified professional and never self-treat.

Sources

  1. T2 Assessing the extent and nature of wildlife trade on the dark web. literature abstract metadata
  2. T2 Elucidating the Distribution of Plant Metabolites from Native Tissues with Laser Desorption Low-Temperature Plasma Mass Spectrometry Imaging. literature abstract metadata
  3. T2 Random Forest Processing of Direct Analysis in Real-Time Mass Spectrometric Data Enables Species Identification of Psychoactive Plants from Their Headspace Chemical Signatures. literature abstract metadata
  4. T2 Pharmacokinetics, Pharmacodynamics, and Urinary Recovery of Oral Mescaline Hydrochloride in Healthy Participants. literature abstract metadata