Yeah it was a bit random @choogirl, .It's totally different when it's done in a group setting as you get a group vibe going on and the energy of the group makes it a more cohesive experience.The shaman (vegetalista) helps guide the experience too and that takes a lot of the randomness out of it.

They generally use different species in a lot of places in South America which don't have the issues with MAO inhibitors, so it's a bit safer too. Some places use T. bridgesii but most of them use T.pachanoi, T macrogonus or T. peruvianus. It's not unusual for kids as young as 12 to partake in cactus rituals in some places