The Trichocereus pachanoi is synonymous with the Echinopsis pachanoi. Both names refer to the same plant – the San Pedro cactus. It’s usually confused with its close relative: Echinopsis peruviana, commonly referred to as the Peruvian Torch cactus.

2. What is Trichocereus Pachanoi?
The Trichocereus pachanoi is synonymous with the Echinopsis pachanoi. Both
names refer to the same plant – the San Pedro cactus.
The San Pedro Cactus is a columnar cactus which grows at a rapid rate. People
have used San Pedro cactus for more than 3,000 years for a wide variety of
reasons: traditional medicine, veterinary uses, spiritual healing, religious divination,
and ornamental purposes.
It’s usually confused with its close relative: Echinopsis peruviana, commonly
referred to as the Peruvian Torch cactus.
San Pedro Cactus is also known by many names throughout South America such as
achuma, huachuma, wachuma, aguacolla, hahuacollay, or giganton.

3. San Pedro Cactus Appearance
San Pedro is a cactus with pillars consisting of 4 to 9 ribbons. It’s fast-growing and has a root system
which branches off from the base of the stem. It keeps growing until it gives in to its own weight. In
nature, the fallen cactus will root again and produce multiple new branches.
Trichocereus pachanoi stems are light to dark green. Sometimes, it may also take on a pale grey or
bluish-green hue. Its cylindrical body has a diameter of 6cm to 15cm with 6 to 8 ribs. San Pedro is
usually 3 to 6 meters tall and has multiple branches which extend from the base. This cactus species
produces white flowers at the end of the stems which open at night.

4. It is most common in the Andes Mountains where it grows in altitudes of 2,000 to 3,000m. It
grows in nature and is cultivated in different parts of the world. It’s also found in similar
ecosystems in Argentina, Bolivia, Chile, Ecuador, and Peru.

5. San Pedro Cactus History
One of the oldest
archeological evidences for
the use of San Pedro
cactus is a 3,500-year
old carving found at the
Jaguar Temple in
Northern Peru. Old
textiles around the region
illustrate the cactus
surrounded by jaguars
and hummingbirds (two
of its guardian spirits).
This cactus is also
always depicted
with swirling lines
which represent
its visionary
effects.
The name “San
Pedro” is a
reference to Saint
Peter, the holder of
the keys to the gates
of heaven. This is a
testament to the
cactus’ ability to
bring a person
towards a dimension
where humans can
experience the
divine.

6. San Pedro cactus has a long history in
traditional medicine in the Andes. In fact,
archaeological evidence supposes this cactus was
used as far back as two thousand years ago at
the height of the Moche civilization which
flourished in northern Peru.
It has been drunk in different shamanic healing
ceremonies. These ceremonies are said to have a
healing effect and can cure a variety of illnesses
such as cancer, diabetes, paralysis, and even
mental and emotional problems such as grief
and anxiety.
San Pedro is ingested in the form of a cold tea
which is prepared by boiling sections of the tall
cactus. In this form, it’s called “El Remedio,” or
“The Remedy.”
Uses of San Pedro Cactus

7. San Pedro Cactus Effects
Mescaline’s effects take hold 30 minutes to 2 hours after ingestion of the San Pedro cactus tea. Most
people who took San Pedro tea report experiencing nausea. Afterwards, this nausea will wane and
mescaline will take you on a hallucinogenic journey similar to tryptamine entheogen such as psilocybin.
San Pedro Cactus Physical Effects
Physical effects of San Pedro cactus include:
Spontaneous physical sensations – this is characterized by a sharp, tingling sensation which moves up and
down the body.
Salivation – this effect seems to be less pronounced in natural psychedelics such as mescaline and
psilocybin. It gradually disappears the longer the psychedelic stays in the body.
Tactile enhancement – enhanced touch sensations are present at moderate doses throughout the duration
of the mescaline trip.

8. San Pedro Cactus Visual Effects
As for the visual effects:
Color enhancement – expect colors to become more saturated.
Enhancement of pattern recognition – you will be able to see patterns on even the most mundane surfaces
Drifting – this refers to the phenomenon when objects appear to melt, flow, breathe, and morph.
Color shifting – objects will change colors especially when you don’t look at them directly
Tracers – these are visual remnants of objects in motion
Geometric patterns – geometric patterns will overlay your vision. These can range from simple shapes to complex fractals.
Hallucinations – mescaline is capable of producing full range high-level hallucinations. You will see yourself in a wildly different landscape.
San Pedro Cactus Cognitive Effects
Mescaline is more stimulating and fast-paced in terms of their specific effects on one’s though patterns:
Analysis enhancement – as the brain starts to fire more rapidly through its information highways, you will be more capable of
analyzing abstract concepts.
Creativity enhancement – you will be able to access the more creative parts of your brain. However, don’t expect to become more
skilled… only inspired.
Openness – you will become more welcoming to new ideas and concepts
Sociability enhancement – this is more common in mescaline compared to other psychedelics. However, it’s less prominent.
Ego death – this happens in high doses of mescaline. This will allow a person to experience concepts from a different perspective,
untainted by prior experience and memories.
San Pedro Cactus Transpersonal Effects
Transpersonal effects refer to any effects which help one understand more transcendence and about their place in the
universe:
Spirituality enhancement – you will feel more connected to the divine. You may also experience a sudden shift in your
personal beliefs.
Self-realization – this is the feeling of sudden realization, rebirth, or waking up.

9. Taking Care of San Pedro Cactus
If you have a San Pedro Cactus at home, you can follow simple guidelines to make
sure it grows into a healthy psychedelic plant with plenty of years ahead of it.
An ideal homemade potting mix for the San Pedro cactus can be created by mixing
2 parts loam, coarse sand, and peat moss with 1 part fine gravel. Place the cactus
and the medium in a clay pot. Clay is ideal for growing cacti because it provides
great drainage.
Place the San Pedro Cactus in a spot in your home which receives plenty of sunlight. If your
house isn’t getting any natural sunlight, keep the plant in the best-lit spot or try replicating
outdoor lighting conditions.
As a native of Peru and Ecuador, the San Pedro cactus loves warmth and is best kept at
temperature above 50 degrees F as it grows.
Mescaline from the San Pedro Cactus is one of the many psychedelics found in nature.
You can experience the psychedelic effects by ordering San Pedro cactus online here.

10. https://www.trufflemagic.com/blog/trichocereus-pachanoi