originally i planned on using this method http://www.erowid.org/plants/cacti/cacti_preparation5.shtml but i heard the skin and core can be nauseating so i cut inbetween the ridges of the cactus down to the core and peeled my pieces off the core. i think skinned it best i could trying to leave the most flesh right under the skin possible because i know this contains the most alkaloids. i cut the pieces up and then put them in the freezer. i plan on unfreezing them tomorrow and blending boiling etc as the guide above suggests. do you think this will work? this is my first time preparing a cactus
Should be golden. I wouldn't have worried about skinning it, too much of a hassle. How big is the dose?
I always skin my cacti, its really worth it for avoiding nausea, and it dosent take too long. To skin it, all you have to do is cut long vertical cuts down the cactus, between the ridges and on top of the ridges (where the spikes are). Then let the cacti sit and dry for at least 15 hours- the cacti flesh will shrink a little exposing the corners of the skin. Then you just grab the corners of sknin an peel it off, it should come off cleanly- althou it can be a little difficult if the cacti has cuts, scatches and wounds on it. That preparation method you posted looks pretty good, but I have a few more recomendations: One you cut up the cacti into chunks- put them in the freezer overnight, then take them out in the morning to thaw. This will damage the cell stucture of the cacti tissue and make for easier blending. Also add the juice of 4 lemons, the acidity will help dissolve the alkaloids. good luck.
Didnt work??? Why not... What type of cacti did you use? How big was the cutting? Did you simmer it for at least 5 hours?
must have had weak cactus or too little of it to trip. next time try a bigger amount. first time flops are not uncommon with cactus. most folks either boil too hard, for too long, and don't use nearly enough cactus. fear not you will get it right if you keep at it. its like a science perfecting your brew. :hat: that dose amount of 12 inches per person is barely threshold. 2 feet per person at least. 3 feet if you are looking to go on a journey.
You most likely didn't use enough, you said you got two 12" cuttings for you and a friend, right? Omacatl is right, that is barely enough for a threshold (level that you get effects) dose. Especially if this was your first experience with a psychedelic substance. Sometimes a psychedelic "high" has to be learned. The first time I ever took lsd it was a small, maybe 50-70ugs dose. I didn't realize the effect it had on me until a couple of years later when I took a large dose and in retrospect I recognized the effects of the first time. Psychedelics can be subtle, especially cacti in low doses. The first time I tried San Pedro was about 15" , I got effects but they weren't in your face effects. I noticed them coming on only because I already knew the terrain. I am also able to discern very subtle and discrete changes in my consciousness. I could smoke two hits of seeds and feel it. If you want to really have effects you should try about 24" of cactus per person. Do a thorough extraction, boil mildly at least two - three hours. Drain, repeat with fresh water and lemon juice. Slowly cook it down to a manageable amount. When you are ready to drink it do so on an empty stomach, take about 3/4 of your potion over the course of about an hour. 2 hours later drink the remainder. Within four hours of starting you should be definitely peaking. Or try mushrooms, they come on quickly, are very predictable as far as dosage is concerned, and once you have traveled to the Land of Awes, it will be easier to get there the next time on cacti.
i only used one 12" cutting for me, and i believed i skinned my cactus to deeply which ive heard is a very bad idea, most the alkaloids are right under the skin i do believe. i think ill just stick with the real stuff from now on. i will now continue my everlasting search for shrooms
the one i saw on tv they cut the cacti----whole-- in 2x the width of a 50cent piece--they heated the whole mess--then drink from the whole mess--dose mesaured by the Shamin---they all puked----made for some gross tv--then again they all got high----btw my first mescaline was a mssive od on strawberry mesc. and it was life changing experience----these cacti experiences dont even comparre to the trips i had----mello--- feel closer to the earth---ea real mesc experience will take u out of this world---heaven and hell for real--so if your gonn do the cacti do alot of it for the 'FULL EXPERIENCE" im not even gonna say youll youll enjoy it-----i did then i didnt then i did again and it was worth it
I don't get why people say to measure these things by length. I've seen 12" sections of San Pedro range from around 1 1/2 pounds on up to a 5 pound monster chunk of the stuff. With that kind of variance I don't see how suggesting dose by length is really helpful, as depending on the thickness 12" could be a below threshold dose or enough to put you on your ass for a while. I'd suggest trying to make sure you have about a kilo or so of cactus. That's about how much I've used and it made for a very intense but not completely overwhelming trip for me. Even then the experience will vary depending on the potency of the cactus, but at least you've eliminated all the inconsistencies that you can actually control. Anyway, sorry your trip didn't work out. I hope you give it another try though, it's a fantastic experience.
When you remove the skin off the cactus it is a very thin and transparent, waxy skin. Think of peeling glue off your hand when you were a kid. If you were removing green flesh as well then there's your answer right there.
i never remove the skin when boiling. takes too much time. might as well just boil it up and strain it out. esp if im using 3 to 4 ft to brew thats a bitch to peel all that skin.i do chop them into pieces but while leaving the core out.
i don't really get much nausea during the experience. usually the upset stomach period is brief, i purge, and then its done. i find the nausea is like the gateway to the San Pedro realms, its a sign to let you know you have arrived.
