It is not in the least addictive, nor is it possible to overdose from it. The very suggestion that peyote is hallucinogenic is an affront to Native Americans, who revere it.

It is true that one of the 50 alkaloids contained in this little cactus, if separated and synthesized, is an hallucinogen called mescaline. In the initial purifying stage, people will be sick and addicts will hallucinate while cleansing from drugs. In other words any hallucinations were an expression of “the medicine’s” healing virtue in “bringing to light all the hidden things of darkness” as part of purging the recipient. Native Americans aver that this medicine helps the faithful to see the “truth.”

Utah prosecutors have vilified peyote, the sacred sacrament of the Native American Church, referring to it as a dangerous drug, when that is simply not the case in context of NAC services (as acknowledged by the DEA).

The view that this sacred medicine, peyote, is a recreational drug is, in itself, deeply offensive to all NAC members. Most of these NAC chapters honor Christ as the Creator and as the Elder, or Grandfather, of the East. The NAC emphatically preaches against alcohol and are against illicit drug abuse of every kind including the abuse of prescription drugs. In addition, they are concerned about the wisdom of relying on powerful psychotropic drugs such as anti-depressants and other medications, which suppress symptoms but do not cure the underlying emotional, mental or spiritual sickness.

On the other hand, peyote brings the hidden basis of the problem to the surface and helps people see the truth, when received as part of these sacred ceremonies. In the words of James Warren “Flaming Eagle” Mooney, “those who attend a ceremony to get high are in for a rude awakening.” This sacramental plant reveals a person’s illness so he can be purified, but does not help him run from his illness nor add to it.

In effect, it is a spiritual door, through which people can enter to face their self-deception, if their desire is to be sanctified. The only way this medicine should be approached is sincerely and respectfully, while exercising faith in God with righteous intentions in careful compliance with a bona fide NAC service.

The Book of Mormon refers to the remarkable herbal lore of the indigenous people that was given by God for curing everything, and the text specifically mentions fevers (Alma 46:40). The appalling mental disorder experienced by the conniving lawyer, Zeezrom, (from having tried to ensnare followers of Christ) was referred to as a “fever” (Alma 15:3-5). If there is any medicine I know of which works to truly help people heal mentally and spiritually, it is peyote.

As a culture we rely recklessly on harmful drugs, which we, nevertheless, use and abuse, in order to suppress our emotional pain. In stark contrast, this medicine brings out into consciousness what is wrong and helps to heal it in a good way. It requires faith to accomplish healing in this tradition.

In the mental health industry, faith is referred to as the “placebo effect,” which effect is nevertheless acknowledged as more powerful than is the treatment effect of their drugs, since they deny the power of God.

The Doctrine and Covenants, specifically says that “all wholesome [meaning non-poisonous] herbs God hath ordained for the constitution, nature, and use of man — to be used with prudence and thanksgiving” (D&C 89:10 -11). This is a medicinal herb and can only be administered legally by a medicine man who is authorized through the NAC (and certain governmental agencies), which is indeed prudent.

Peyote was classified by the federal government as a harmful narcotic like morphine, though even morphine has proper medical uses. This deliberate misclassification was in consequence of the “evils and designs of conspiring” Christian missionaries who were competing with the NAC early in the 20th century on Indian reservations. This was part of a strategy to suppress indigenous religion and its humble little plant helper.

That through this medicine the NAC has come to honor Christ as the Creator satisfies the conditions Moroni gave us to distinguish good from evil, “for every thing which inviteth to do good, and to persuade to believe in Christ, is sent forth by the power and gift of Christ” (Moroni 7:16).

David Hamblin, a Provo resident, is a spiritual leader in the Oklevuehla Earthwalks Native American Church.

This story appeared in The Daily Herald on page A5.