Drug use is not a recent phenomenon. Thousands of plants have existed in nature and mankind has used them for many different purposes. Some naturally growing plants have psychoactive properties and different societies have used them to change the way we feel, think and see. Our ancient relatives did not think that they should stop eating, chewing or smoking just because it made them think or feel different. Rafting down a rapid, spearing a beast as it charges, rhythmic dancing, and chanting are all non-drug forms of intoxication. Our ancestors probably, did not make any moral judgment or legal distinction between these experiences and “highs” like these which were obtained using extracts from plants.

Marijuana, ganja, dope, pot, weed and grass are some of the frequently used names to refer to Cannabis. Hemp or Cannabis was grown for its fibres (textile and paper) for 12,000 years until it’s prohibition in the 1950s. Many US presidents grew hemp. George Washington and Thomas Jefferson grew hemp while Ben Franklin owned a hemp paper mill. Scientifically the hemp plant belongs to the mulberry family Moraceae, the genus Cannabis, species Cannabis Sativa.

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Marijuana Plant cultivation.

Cocaine is derived from the cocoa leaf and eating or chewing the cocoa leaf has been practiced in South America for a long time. When the cocoa leaf is chewed is provides a stimulating effect. The suppression of appetite and the “energy boost” were considered useful aids to increase human productivity.

Image of fresh, green, unprocessed cocoa leaf.

Native Americans used the peyote cactus (mescaline) to bring about changes in the mental states of individuals. These changes are now called hallucinations.

The poppy plant’s extract has been used to produce all the opioids (opium, morphine, heroin, and pethidine). Opium is the milky substance which oozes from the poppy when a cut is made on the. It was first used in Asia Minor, subsequently its use spread to India and China. It is now widely used throughout the world legally and illegally. It is used as a sedative to produce relaxation and euphoria.

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Poppy plant and Flower. 

Indigenous Australians were not without their own drugs. They used the pituri leaf to obtain a nicotine-like high. The pituri leaves are roasted and rolled in ashes before being chewed. Tasmanian Australians have used the leaves of some gum trees for their intoxicating effects though this not well documented. Better documented is the use of gum tree sap for production of alcohol. Humans throughout the world have used alcohol by fermenting fruits, grains and saps of trees. The use of mead, a honey based alcohol is a 6000 year old practice.

Drugs / plant extracts were used to obtain energy and productivity. They also formed part of the religious experience and rituals. The Aztec people got drunk to please their gods. They ate peyote cactus and certain mushrooms to induce visions of god. Christians and Jews use wine in religious ceremonies. Hippies of the 1960s used drugs to convey a message of counterculture. Some people believe that drugs and alcohol enhance social and spiritual connectedness.

Alcohol is used in many ways; some use it to celebrate success, others to commiserate or console after a loss of a dear one. Alcohol is also associated with sports and sex. Finally, alcohol is used for fun and for inducing sleep. It is also known to make some people violent and aggressive.

Without going into too much detail, it is clear that humans have used plants and plant extracts, for different purposes. It is reasonable to conclude that drug use is a natural part of being human. The phenomenon of “legal intoxication” seems to be relatively new and is the product of advances in medical sciences and analytical tools.

Alcohol: Alcohols, including wine and beer, have been widely used since 6400BC. Ancient Romans, Egyptians, and Arabs used these along with mead. Hence, the phenomenon of drinking is nothing new. Around 1300 Europeans started to experience their first problems with alcoholism and drunkenness. The earliest methods of controlling such behaviours included licensing, taxation and prohibition. These methods are essentially the same methods which are used by different governments of today. About 1700 Alcohol was introduced to the USA and spread with colonization. It’s effects were most drastic on migrating and transient populations. Alcohol consumption was prohibited in many states between 1851 and 1933. In 1788 Alcohol was introduced to Australia by White settlers. There is no evidence to suggest that alcohol was consumed by Indigenous Australians prior to its introduction by White Settlers.

Well-marketed forms of alcohol, Eh? Image by Sarjeet S. Gill

Amphetamines: Amphetamines are 1-phenyl-2-propylamine compounds which are colourless. Amphetamines occur as volatile liquids. They are a class of drugs used as stimulants of the central nervous system in the treatment of ADHD, depression, and obesity. In the 1920s Amphetamines were used most widely, in the US for medical reasons, essentially to treat depression and obesity. In 1914 Amphetamines were used in Germany as appetite suppressants. They became available in Australia (illicitly) in the mid-1980s. Ecstasy (MDMA) is a variant of Amphetamines. It was first developed to suppress appetite and subsequently found to have stimulating effects.

Amphetamines are generally used to get high. Some users describe the high as a buzz. Amphetamine use is addict able.

Analgesics: An analgesic is a chemical compound capable of producing analgesia, i.e., one that relieves pain by altering perception of nociceptive (pain) stimuli without producing anaesthesia or loss of consciousness. Common analgesics include Paracetamol, Morphine and Aspirin. The first analgesic was discovered 500BC in Greece. The Greeks noted that the bark of the willow tree produced analgesia when eaten.

Paracetamol / Acetaminophen is one of the most common but mild analgesics.

Caffeine: Caffeine is a crystalline chemical, which is a cardiac and central nervous stimulant. It is a slightly bitter alkaloid found in coffee, tea, kola nuts, and many other foods and beverages. Caffeine is also a diuretic. Caffeine was discovered in the 1st. Century AD in Arabia and Africa. Initially its use was limited to keeping awake for religious ceremonies. In the 17th Century AD it was introduced to Europe but was banned in some cultures as it was seen as a stimulant. With the passage of time coffee became popular for conversations and relaxation.

Cannabis: Cannabis is also known as marijuana, draw, blow, weed, puff, shit, hash and ganja. It is a natural substance which comes from the “Cannabis Sativa” plant. It is often available on the black market as a solid dark lump known as “resin” or leaves, stalks and seeds called “grass” or as a sticky oil. Cannabis was discovered in 2700 BC in China and used for medical conditions such as gout, indigestion, muscle spasms and appetite stimulants. It was subsequently banned because it made younger people disrespectful of older people.

Cannabis became popular in India, Greece and Persia around 500 BC. It was used for religious festivities, stimulate appetite and medical purposes. In 1500 AD it was first used in the US, in 1700 AD in Europe and in the rest of the world.

Cocaine: Cocaine is derived from the leaves of the coca plant. It is recognised as one of the most powerful addictive drugs. Illicit cocaine can normally be obtained in a white crystalline powder that may be snorted. Sometimes it dissolved in sterile water and injected. Crack cocaine hydrochloride is processed with NH3 (ammonia) or Na2 CO3 (baking soda) and water into a freebase cocaine. These chips, chunks or rocks may be smoked. Small to medium doses of cocaine produce hallucinations, paranoia, aggression, insomnia and depression. Other names for cocaine include coke, snow, nose candy, flake, blow, big C, lady, white and snowbirdsnervous system. It can be fatal in large doses.

Cocaine was first discovered in 3000 BC in South America. It was noted that people who chewed the cocoa leaf had better endurance and required less water and food. It later had religious significances – during the reign of the Incas. It was introduced to the US in the 1860 and initially used a as a local anaesthetic.

Hallucinogens: Hallucinogens are a diverse group of drugs that alter perceptions, thoughts, and feelings. Hallucinogenic drugs include LSD, mescaline, MDMA (ecstasy), and PCP. LSD is the most commonly known hallucinogen which became famous during the Viet Nam War era. It is manufactured from lysergic acid, found in a fungus that grows on rye and other grains. LSD, commonly referred to as “acid,” is sold on the street in tablets, capsules and occasionally in liquid form. Pure LSD is odourless and colourless. It has a slightly bitter taste. Users refer to positive LSD experiences as a “trip” and to acute adverse reactions as a “bad trip.” I have seen many patients experience fear, panic, confusion, suspicions, anxiety and loss of control. Flashbacks are also known to occur after they stop taking the drug.

Hallucinations of skeletons and bones can be scary. Image by Sarjeet S. Gill

Hallucinogens were first discovered in India about 1500 BC where they were associated with mystical and spiritual associations. In early AD era hallucinogens were used by Central American Indians. Here magic mushrooms, peyote and Jamestown weed were used for mystical and spiritual experiences. In 1930 LSD was synthesised in Switzerland and quickly became available globally. It was most popular in the 1960s and the 1070s.

Inhalants / Volatile substances were first used in pre Christ times by ancient Egyptians, Babylonians, Africans and American Indians. In 1700 AD Nitrous oxide was developed as a pain-killer. Subsequently, ether became a drug of choice (inhalant) when alcohol was prohibited or became too expensive.

Petroleum, Esso Plus. Cheap but dangerous way to get high.

Now sniffing of petrol, paint, glue, and liquid paper has become a major problem in the Northern Territory of Australia. In 2005 the Prevention of Volatile Substance Act was passed to control its spread. A special fuel, which cannot be evaporated and sniffed, has been made available to some communities in remote parts of Australia where the “problem” was very serious. This special fuel is called opal fuel was developed to cut the supply of sniffable fuel to sniffers.

More information about unsniffable opal fuel can be obtained here. 

Opium and Synthetic narcotics. Around 4000 BC, in ancient Babylon, opium was obtained from the poppy plant. It was then known as the joy plant. Around 1500 BC Egyptians, Greeks and Romans used it for medicinal purposes. Opium was introduced to China and India around 1000 AD. In and around 1729 widespread use and abuse of opium resulted in it being banned in China. Though it is still available. However, modern technology and advances in pharmacology and chemistry has produced many new synthetic narcotics which have found numerous uses in operating theatres in intensive care units.

Tobacco: Smoking or chewing tobacco is produced by drying and fermenting leaves of the tobacco plant. Once processed the “tobacco” has a pleasant aromatic smell. The tobacco plant is an annual or perennial herb / shrub which grows in the tropics. It was first used by Mayan Indians and Aztacs for religious ceremonies.

Tobacco was introduced to India and China in 1500. Soon afterwards it was introduced to Europe. Then, in 1660 it reached the USA. Virginia became the leading producer and soon it became socially acceptable to smoke cigarettes and pipes.

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Smoking is associated with sex, sports, youth and pleasure.

In conclusion it must be stated that drug usage is not a new phenomenon. It is not attributable to bad educational system, liberal politics, immigrants, minorities or poor parenting. Drug use has been practiced for thousands of years and it is unlikely to end irrespective of the best interventions, education or parenting. Moderation and acceptance of drug use reality are more likely to be beneficial to society and individual user. Harm minimization has been shown to prevent the spread of Blood Borne viruses like HIV, Hepatitis B and Hepatitis C viruses.