Ancient Egyptians likely used opiates regularly

Scientists have discovered traces of ancient opiates in remains lining an Egyptian alabaster vase, indicating that opiate use was woven into the fabric of the culture. And the Egyptians did not just indulge themselves from time to time: according to paper published in the Journal of Eastern Mediterranean Archaeology, opiate use may have been an integral part of everyday life.

In recent years, archaeologists have applied the tools of pharmacology to excavated artifacts in collections around the world. How previously reportedThere is ample evidence that people in many cultures throughout history have used various hallucinogenic substances in religious ceremonies or shamanic rituals. This includes not only ancient Egypt, but also ancient Greek, Vedic, Mayan, Incan and Aztec cultures. Urarina people living in the Peruvian Amazon still use a psychoactive drink called ayahuasca Westerners are known to take part in their rituals as they seek their own brand of enlightenment.

For example, in 2023, David Tanasi from the University of South Florida published preprint in his preliminary analysis of a ceremonial mug decorated with the head of Bes, a popular deity believed to provide protection to households, especially mothers and children. After collecting the remains of the samples from the jar, Tanasi used a variety of techniques, including proteomic and genetic analysis, and synchrotron radiation-based Fourier transform infrared microspectroscopy, to characterize the remains.

Tanasi found traces Syrian streetthe seeds of which are known to have hallucinogenic properties, which the authors believe may induce dreamlike visions due to the production of the alkaloids harmine and harmaline. There were also traces blue water lilywhich contains a psychoactive alkaloid that acts as a sedative, as well as a fermented alcoholic mixture containing yeast, wheat, sesame seeds, fruit (possibly grapes), honey and, ahem, “human fluids”: possibly breast milk, oral or vaginal mucus, and blood. Continuation 2024 study confirmed these results and also found traces of pine nuts or Mediterranean pine oil; licorice; tartaric acid salts, which were probably part of the above alcoholic mixture; and traces of spider flowers, which are known to have medicinal properties.