The peyote cactus, or Lophophora williamsii, is unassuming at first glance. It’s small and spineless, unlike other cacti.

But inside the small buttons that grow from the plant lies a hallucinogenic substance called mescaline. The effects of this chemical component are responsible for peyote’s role as an important element of some religious rituals. More recently, mescaline made it the focus of some legal disputes.

The chemical makeup of mescaline is comparable to other hallucinogenic substances like LSD and psilocybin (shrooms).

Many factors contribute to the peyote experience, including dose, mindset, setting, and method of consumption. With that in mind, each individual journey will be unique to the person, time, and place, and there’s no way to predict exactly what will happen. But, peyote does induce some common experiences and effects that can help you prepare for your journey.