The Ancient Roots of Psychedelic Use
Since humanity’s earliest days, we’ve shared a deep connection with mind-altering substances. Long before farming, writing, or monotheism, psychedelics were woven into the fabric of human experience. Here’s a dive into ancient psychedelic use:
Psilocybin in Tassili, Algeria (~9500–7000 BCE)
One of the earliest signs of psychedelic use comes from the Tassili caves in Algeria. A cave painting depicts a figure adorned with Psilocybe mairei mushrooms, its face stylized as a bee—perhaps symbolizing the hallucinogenic effects.
Created when the Sahara was a lush savannah, these depictions suggest that nomadic peoples were deeply familiar with psilocybin’s properties, likely from their extensive knowledge of local flora and fauna.
Psilocybin in Spain (~4000 BCE)
In a cave near Villar de Humo, Spain, researchers discovered depictions of mushrooms believed to be Psilocybe hispanica. These findings mark the earliest evidence of psilocybin use in Europe, showcasing how widely these fungi were known and utilized.
Peyote in Texas (~3700 BCE)
Peyote buttons were uncovered in the Shumla Caves near the Rio Grande. Radiocarbon dating places them at 3700 BCE, pointing to their use by indigenous peoples for their mescaline content, likely in spiritual or medicinal ceremonies.
DMT in Argentina (~2130 BCE)
In central Argentina, researchers found pipes containing traces of psychoactive seeds from a Yopo-like tree, rich in DMT, 5-MeO-DMT, and other tryptamines. These pipes were used by Wichi shamans, offering evidence of South America’s early entheogenic traditions.
The Eleusinian Mysteries (1450 BCE–392 CE)
These sacred rites in Ancient Greece centered around Kykeon, a mysterious brew thought to be made with ergot—a precursor to LSD. The initiations, shrouded in secrecy, explored death, rebirth, and divine truths.
Soma in Ancient India (~1500–1200 BCE)
The Vedic texts of India, particularly the Rigveda, describe a psychoactive ritual drink called Soma. While its exact ingredients remain debated, one theory is that Soma was derived from Amanita muscaria mushrooms.
Psychoactive Plants in Mesoamerica (~1500 BCE)
The Aztecs revered Xochipilli, the god of art, games, and flowers, among other domains. A statue of Xochipilli is adorned with representations of psychoactive plants like tobacco, morning glory, Psilocybe aztecorum, and others, highlighting their cultural importance.
San Pedro Cactus in Peru (~1300 BCE)
A stone carving at Chavín de Huántar depicts a deity clutching the San Pedro cactus. This marks the earliest known use of mescaline-containing San Pedro, a sacred plant in Andean culture.
Amanita Rituals in Siberia (~1000 BCE)
Petroglyphs along Siberia’s Pegtymel River show mushroom-like figures engaging in ritual dances around a fallen deer. These drawings are considered the first evidence of Amanita muscaria cults in northern Eurasia.
Mayan Mushroom Stones (1000 BCE–500 CE)
In Guatemala and Mexico, carved “mushroom stones” suggest psilocybin played a key role in Mayan religious practices. Some stones also point to fertility rituals linked to mushroom use.
Morning Glory in Teotihuacan (~500 CE)
A mural at the iconic Teotihuacan site in Mexico depicts morning glory vines, used for their psychoactive alkaloids. This discovery affirms their ceremonial role in pre-Columbian societies.
Ayahuasca in Bolivia (~1000 CE)
A shaman’s pouch unearthed in Bolivia contained traces of harmine, DMT, bufotenine, and cocaine—signaling the earliest evidence of ayahuasca-like preparations. The presence of harmine suggests intentional brewing to make DMT orally active.
Taino Snuff in the Caribbean (1496 CE)
The Taino people of the Dominican Republic and Haiti used cohoba, a snuff made from DMT-rich shrubs. This was documented by Friar Ramon Pane during Columbus’s second voyage.
Aztec and Olmec Practices (1500s CE)
Spanish missionaries like Fray Bernardino de Sahagún described the Aztecs’ use of psilocybin mushrooms and peyote. Morning glory vines (Ololiuqui) were also prevalent, but Spanish colonizers banned and destroyed these plants, labeling them heretical.
Legacy of Ancient Psychedelic Use
From the Tassili caves to the rituals of the Aztecs, humanity’s relationship with psychedelics has been profound and enduring. These substances connected our ancestors to nature, the divine, and the mysteries of consciousness.
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