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[[File:SC148244.jpg|thumb|left|250px|Figure 1. Ceramics, such as this from Cyprus, have been found to contain opium.]]__NOTOC__We think of recreational drugs as being a phenomenon that has emerged relatively recently. However, the use of drugs, other than medicinal purposes, has existed from antiquity. The purpose was sometimes not only for enjoyment but also integrated with religious practice. The mix recreational use of many pleasures with drug use drugs has also been a fairly consistent pattern across timephenomenon throughout recorded history and most likely much longer.

==Which drugs did humans use in the Ancient Middle East?==Early Use of Recreational Drugs====[[File:blue-lotus-1.jpg|thumb|Painting from the time of Ramses III showing the use of the blue lotus. ]]The use of drugs such as opium likely originated from prehistoric periods, although direct evidence is limited. Remains from Central Asia and across Eurasia's parts of Eurasia suggest plant residues that resemble cannabis have been found on braziers. In fact, the origin of opium is that it comes from Central Asia , and it liked reached the Near East and Europe in the Neolithic due to migrations of populations such as the Yamnaya. Some early evidence for recreational drug use come comes from ancient Mesopotamia (modern Syria and Iraq) and Egypt. At Ebla, in modern western Syria, a kitchen was found in a palace from the mid 3rd millennium BCE. When the ceramics found in the kitchen were analyzed , they were found to contain traces of opium.

The Sumerians may have also cultivated opium and traded it similarly like to other commodities. In Cyprus, vessels from the Bronze age, about 3400 years ago, were also found to contain opium (Figure 1). Marijuana was also likely another drug cultivated perhaps as early as the Neolithic period over 5000 years ago. It is possible there were many uses for both opium and marijuana besides only as drugs, whether medicinal or for recreational use. For instance, both marijuana and opium plants can be made into rope.

Nevertheless, some have suggested the evidence for seemingly large-scale production, such as at Ebla, may indicate more recreational usage. It is difficult isn't easy to differentiate when the use of using drugs was for recreational purposes rather than religious purposes. Very possibly, recreation and religion could have blended in early belief systems. Artistic scenes from the Near East may also show large-scale drug use. Banquetting scenes were often depicted on cylinder seal art, and these scenes often described the consumption of wine or alcohol which could be mixed with various drugs such as opium.

In China and India, evidence from the Bronze Age also suggests early use of opium; marijuana, particularly in India where the drug naturally occurs, was also likely used in the Bronze Age at about 5000 years ago. In these cases, both drugs could have been smoked and also used in drinks.<ref>For more on the earliest history of drugs in the Old World, see: Escohotado, Antonio. 1999. <i>A Brief History of Drugs: From the Stone Age to the Stoned Age</i>. Rochester, Vt: Park Street Press. </ref> ==What was the Bluewater Lotus?==[[File:blue-lotus-1.jpg|thumb|left|250px|Painting from the time of Ramses III showing the use of the blue lotus. ]]In Egypt, one popular drug was the blue water lotus. Bluewater lotus has hallucinogenic qualities and was often with wine (Figure 2). Paintings of drunken festivals with descriptions and depictions of likely orgies suggest that it was ingested for recreational use and not just for religious purposes. However, recreational use may have also been part of worship rituals in Egypt, as descriptions of the use of the blue lotus have been found at Karnak, the site of Egypt's most holy temple.

In EgyptThe famous burial of Tutankhamun contained the blue lotus, one popular drug which could suggest its ingestion during the pharaoh's life and was intended to comfort him in the blue water lotusafterlife. Blue water lotus has hallucinogenic qualities In later periods, both Greek and was ofen been with Roman cultures ingested opium, including using it in wine (Figure 2). Paintings of drunken festivals with descriptions The Greek stories and depictions mythology often mentioned drugging of likely orgies the gods, suggest that it was ingested for recreational use opium and not just for religious purposes. However, recreational use other drugs such as mushrooms may have also been part of worship ritual in Egypt, as descriptions of the use of common.<ref>For more on the blue lotus have been found at Karnak, the site of Egypt's most holy templesee: Vasudevan Nair, R. 2004. <i>Controversial Drug Plants</i>. Biodiversity Library. Hyderabad: University Press (India) : Distributed by Orient Longman, pg. 69. </ref>

The famous burial of Tutankhamun contained ==Where mushrooms used as drugs in the blue lotusAncient world?==Recreational drugs also included other forms, which could suggest its ingestion during the life including types of mushrooms. In the pharaoh Sahara and was intended to comfort him in the afterlifesub-Sahara Africa, mushrooms containing psilocybin were used as a hallucinogenic by nomadic groups. In later periodsRock art from 9000-7000 years ago, both Greek before the Sahara became a vast desert and Roman cultures was still relatively fertile, may suggest that mushrooms were ingested opium, including using it in wineNorth Africa as part of rituals and visions seen and painted. The Greek stories and mythology often mentioned drugging Representations of the godsmushrooms are also shown, which would suggest opium and other drugs such their use as mushrooms may have been commonpart of the visions or drawings shown in rock art.<ref>For more on the blue lotusrock art and other forms of recreational drug use in Africa, see: Vasudevan Nair, R http://www. 2004artepreistorica. <i>Controversial Drug Plants<com/2009/12/the-oldest-representations-of-hallucinogenic-mushrooms-in-the-world-sahara-desert-9000-%E2%80%93-7000-b-p/i>. Biodiversity Library. Hyderabad: University Press (India) : Distributed by Orient Longman, pg. 69. </ref>

Recreational ==Which drugs also were used recreationally Drugs in the Americas?==While opium was likely the most common drug in the Old World, recreational drugs in the New World included other formscocoa leaves that were chewed in South America as early as about 8000 years ago. After 3000 BC, including types cocoa was commonly chewed and consumed by cultures east of mushroomsthe Andes. In Later, it was introduced to the Sahara Incas and was added as part of tea or commonly chewed. The Incas considered it a divine plant and sub-Sahara Africa, mushrooms containing psilocybin were used likely saw the psychedelic effects as a hallucinogenic by nomadic groupsdivine influence or ways to communicate with the gods. Rock art from 9000-7000 years agoSimilarly, though, before the Sahara became Incas likely used it for recreational purposes. The Incas created a vast desert monopoly of production, and cocoa was still relatively fertilemore limited in its use, may suggest that mushrooms were ingested in North Africa as part of rituals where perhaps mostly the upper classes and visions seen and paintednobles used it. Representations After the collapse of mushrooms are also shownthe Incas, which would suggest their the use as part of cocoa likely spread across South America, and there was less control of the visions or drawings shown in rock artmarket.<ref>For more on rock art cocoa and other forms of recreational drug its use in Africahistory, see: httpAfoakwa, Emmanuel Ohene. 2014. <i>Cocoa Production and Processing Technology</i>. Boca Raton London New York://wwwCRC Press, Taylor & Francis Group, pg.artepreistorica9.com/2009/12</ref> While cocoa was the likely dominant drug in South America, in North America, peyote was one of the more likely dominant drugs. The earliest evidence of its use dates to about 3700 BC in the-oldest-representations-Rio Grande region of Texas. Evidence suggests Native Americans used it as potentially a recreational drug and a way to communicate with spirits. The use of-hallucinogenic-mushrooms-peyote spread in-use across much of the Western United States and Mexico. Interestingly, research on the Huichol, who may have been using thedrug for over 1500 years, show no evidence of adverse effects on their chromosome that would suggest long-world-sahara-desert-9000-%E2%80%93-7000-b-pterm genetic damage from continuous drug use.<ref>For more on peyote, see: Stewart, Omer Call. 1993. <i>Peyote Religion: A History</i>. Norman [Okla.: University of Oklahoma Press.</ref>

====Recreational Drugs in the New World====While opium was likely the most common Another similar drug in the Old Worldto peyote is salvia, recreational drugs which has been recently rediscovered in the New World included cocoa leaves North America. It is a native mint-like plant that were chewed grows in South America as early as about 8000 years agonorthern Mexico. After 3000 BCSimilar to peyote, cocoa it was commonly chewed and consumed by cultures east of the Andespopular in ingesting for shaman rituals among native groups. Later, it It was introduced used to communicate with the Incas and was added as part of tea or commonly chewedspirits but also likely taken for pleasure. The Incas considered hallucinogenic is generally not toxic, even at high levels, while it a divine plant is also very potent and likely saw among the psychedelic effects as a divine influence most potent naturally occurring hallucinogenic plants. It is consumed by chewing or ways smoking usually. Other Native American stimulants have included tobacco, one of the first drugs to communicate with be traded from the gods. Similarly, though, New World to the Incas likely used it for recreational purposesOld World. The Incas created a monopoly It was one of production and cocoa was more limited the first gifts that Columbus received when arriving in its use, where perhaps mostly the upper classes and nobles used itNew World. After the collapse of the IncasIt was often smoked to seal important events among native groups, the use of cocoa likely spread across South America and there was less control of the marketsuch as a peace treaty between warring tribes.<ref>For more on cocoa and its use in historysalvia, see: AfoakwaCarod-Artal, Emmanuel OheneF.J. 20142015. “Hallucinogenic Drugs in Pre-Columbian Mesoamerican Cultures.” <i>Cocoa Production and Processing TechnologyNeurología</i>(English Edition) 30 (1): 42–49. Boca Raton London New Yorkhttps: CRC Press, Taylor & Francis Group, pg//doi.org/10.1016/j.nrleng.2011.07. 9010. </ref>

While cocoa was the likely dominate ==How did recreational drug use change starting in South America, in North America peyote the 16th Century? ==Tobacco was one of the more likely dominant drugs. The earliest evidence major drug of its use dates to about 3700 BC in choice that became traded between the Rio Grande region of TexasNew and Old World. Evidence suggests it It was used instantly popular already by Native Americans as potentially a recreational drug the 16th century in Europe, when clay pipes began to be created to be smoked all across Europe. Opium and marijuana were also known but also as a way not very common until renewed contact with China and India in the 17th to communicate with spirits19th centuries. The use Opium and marijuana only became illegal drugs across parts of peyote spread the Old World in use across much the 19th century. During his invasion of the Western United States Egypt, Napolean became concerned his troops were drinking cannabis mixed in drinks and Mexicosmoking it. InterestinglyMorphine, research on derived from the Huicholsame opium poppies, who may have been using was also developed in the drug for over 1500 years, show no evidence of adverse effects on their chromosome that would suggest long-term genetic damage from continuous drug use.<ref>For more on peyote, see: Stewart, Omer Call. 1993. <i>Peyote Religion: A History</i>. Norman [Okla.: University of Oklahoma Press19th century as a medical product in Germany.</ref>

Another similar drug to peyote is salvia, which has been recently rediscovered Heroin was similarly derived in Europe in North America. It is the 19th century by an English chemist and then developed into a native mint-like plant that grows medicinal drug by the drug company Bayer Pharmaceutical Company in northern Mexicothe 1890s. Similar to peyoteIn the 1860s, it cocaine was popular in ingesting for shaman rituals among native groups. It was used to communicate with the spirits but also likely taken for pleasure. The hallucinogenic is generally not toxic, even at high levelsderived from cocoa by a German chemist, while where it is also very potent similarly began to be used in medicine and among the most potent naturally occurring hallucinogenic plants. It is consumed by chewing or smoking usuallyrecreationally. Other Native American stimulants have included tobaccoAdditionally, which it was one of the first drugs to be traded from the New World to the Old World. It was one of the first gifts that Columbus received when arriving used in the New World. It was often smoked to seal important events among native groupssoft drink Coca-Cola, such as a peace treaty between warring tribeswhich gave it its name.<ref>For more on salviahow naturally occurring drugs were developed into derivative drugs, see: Carod-ArtalLyman, F.JMichael D. 20152017. “Hallucinogenic Drugs in Pre-Columbian Mesoamerican Cultures.” <i>NeurologíaDrugs in Society: Causes, Concepts, and Control</i> (English Edition) 30 (1): 42–49. httpsEighth edition. New York://doi.org/10.1016/j.nrleng.2011.07.010Routledge, Taylor & Francis Group. </ref>

====How Recent Trends Differed Why did the Opium trade from China increase dramatically in the Past==19th Century?==Tobacco was the major drug The opium trade continued to increase throughout much of choice that became traded between the New and Old World. It was instantly popular already by the 16th 19th century in Europe, when clay pipes began to be created so it can be smoked all across Europeparticularly from India. Opium and marijuana were also known, but not very common until renewed contact with was being exported to China and from India in the 17th to 19th centuries. Opium and marijuana only became illegal drugs across parts of the Old World in the 19th century. Napolean, during his invasion of Egypt, became concerned his troops were drinking cannabis mixed in drinks as well as smoking where it. Morphine, which is derived from the same opium poppies, was also developed in commercially grown by the 19th century as a medical product in GermanyBritish East India Company. Heroin was similarly derived in Europe in the 19th century by an English chemist and then developed into a medicinal drug This Chinese had banned opium by this point, but the drug company Bayer Pharmaceutical British East India Company in began illegally smuggling it into China through Canton's port. This led the 1890s. In Chinese government to confiscate the 1860s, cocaine was derived opium from cocoa by a German chemistCanton, where it similarly began but this led to be used in medicine and recreationally. AdditionallyBritain's conflict, it was used in which launched the so-called First Opium War that led to the soft drink Coca Cola, which gave it its name.<ref>For more on how naturally occurring drugs were developed into derivative drugs, see: Lyman, Michael D. 2017. <i>Drugs in Society: Causes, Concepts, take over of Hong Kong and Control</i>. Eighth edition. New York: Routledge, Taylor & Francis Groupother Chinese ports. </ref>

The trade in opium continued to increase throughout much of the 19th century, particularly from India. Opium was being exported to China from India, where it was also commercially grown by the British East India Company. This Chinese had banned opium by this point but the British East India Company began illegally smuggle it into China through the port of Canton. This led to the Chinese government to confiscate the opium from Canton, but this led to conflict with Britain, which launched the so-called First Opium War that led to the take over of Hong Kong and other Chinese ports. Throughout the 19th century, opium was widely traded despite its ban in a few countries. In the West, it was legal and often used to derive various drugs such as morphine and heroin. It was only in 1912 that opium became banned under the International Opium Convention. Similarly, in the 1920s was an era where other drugs increasingly became banned, such as marijuana, as by then crime and heavy drug use became larger problems in Western countries.<ref>For more on a recent history of opium and its banning, see: Inglis, Lucy. 2018. <i>Milk of Paradise: A History of Opium</i>. London: Macmillan. </ref>

====Summary====Recreational drugs have long been a part of human history. For many ancient societies, recreational use of drugs and religious worship often went together, where mind-altering drugs were seen as a way to communicate with the world of the gods and spirits. Even after the conversion of converting many societies to Christianity or other monotheistic religions, recreational drugs were still widely used, although not always accepted. However, trade continued to be robust. In the late 19th century, many naturally occurring drugs began to be derived into new derivatives, such as cocaine, morphine, and heroin. It was only in In the early 20th century that , many countries banned most of the recreational drugs, with the exception of except for the relatively weaker drugs such as tobacco.