The Pharmacopeia of Antiquity: Drug Use in Ancient Civilizations

For ancient societies, the line between "medicine" and "drug" was often non-existent. From the Mediterranean to the Andes, psychoactive substances were deeply integrated into the cultural and spiritual fabric of life. As early as the Neolithic period, humans discovered that specific natural compounds could alleviate pain, induce religious ecstasy, or even act as political currency. 1. Narcotics and Pain Relief: Opium and Willow Bark

The ( Papaver somniferum ) was perhaps the most influential drug of the ancient world.