Cannabis (or marijuana) has long been utilized by various cultures around the globe for medical use. Ancient civilizations generally relied upon it for treatment.
Herodotus wrote that Scythians from central Eurasian would erect woollen tents and throw hemp seeds onto red-hot stones to inhale their smoke; this practice was also used as a treatment method.
Ancient Egyptians
Ancient Egyptians were known for their innovative civilisation, and cannabis appears to be no exception. Hemp fabrics have been discovered throughout their civilization along with hemp ropes. Additionally, hemp was often used for medicine purposes by these early civilizations.
One of the earliest medical papyri ever discovered was Ramesseum Papyrus. It mentions treatment of eye problems using celery, cannabis and water; which is similar to modern medical use of cannabis to treat glaucoma.
There is evidence of cannabis’s use in ancient Egyptian funereal rituals; cannabis traces have been detected on several mummies’ remains.
Ancient Chinese
Scientists have identified CBN biomarkers in a burnt brazier buried alongside human remains in Jirzankou in western China’s Pamir Mountains. Additionally, artifacts including glass beads from Western Asia and silk from Eastern China indicate that Jirzankou may have served as an ancient trade center.
Herodotus, the ancient Greek historian, noted that people near the Caspian Sea often gathered together in small tents near red-hot rocks in order to inhale smoke from cannabis plant that was burned, in order to experience a mind-expanding sensation. Researchers have discovered this same practice was also part of funeral rites in western China.
Ancient Greeks
Cannabis (marijuana) is a psychoactive drug that can be eaten or smoked. It induces feelings of happiness, giggly or sleepy relaxation as well as loss of coordination, paranoia and hallucinations; cannabis may even help treat certain medical conditions like chemotherapy-induced nausea and loss of appetite in AIDS patients.
The term “national culture” can be misleading as there can be numerous subcultures within any particular geographical region that differ significantly in terms of religion, geography, social class, ethnicity and cohort [8] which influence consumption patterns of drugs like cannabis.
Ancient Romans
Cannabis has long been revered for its sedating and psychoactive properties, yet has long been used as medicine by ancient Greeks and Romans.
Ropes, textiles and medicines made of hemp were commonly produced, while its psychoactive properties were exploited through smoking, juicing and infusion of the plant.
Homer’s Odyssey (7th century BCE) contains one of the earliest references to cannabis; Zeus’ daughter provided wine mixed with an analgesic drug that “quietens pain and strife and brings forgetfulness”, likely meaning cannabis or its close relative opium.
Ancient Scythians
The Scythians were nomadic warriors who engaged in shamanistic practices. According to Greek historian Herodotus, these Scythians utilized cannabis both recreationally and for spiritual reasons.
He described how people of the Central Eurasian steppes would set up woollen tents, place a dish with red-hot stones on top and use hemp seeds to produce smoke from within their tent. As they inhaled these vapors they “howled with pleasure”, according to this author.
Archaeologists discovered skeletons and wooden braziers dating back 2500 BCE at Tajikistan’s Jirzankal Cemetery that held burning plant material containing high levels of psychoactive compound tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), marking this find as the oldest physical evidence of cannabis ever seen.
Ancient Indians
Cannabis has long been part of India’s spiritual fabric. It plays an integral part of Soma, an intoxicating ritual drink from Rig Veda (c 1700-1100 BCE).
Indian medical text Charaka Samhita mentions cannabis’ analgesic and anti-inflammatory properties, while Dioscorides and Galen provided confirmation that cannabis could help to relieve rheumatism and gout symptoms. Galen also wrote that taking decoctions made from cannabis roots relieved joint and muscle pain.
Hemp was first brought into Europe by the Spanish in the mid-1500s for its fibre, initially grown for ship rigging purposes. Later cultivated across North America for medicinal, nutritional, and industrial uses.
Ancient Mayans
Maya culture was one of immense celebration. While many Mayans enjoyed life and music and dancing, their most beloved pastime was festival celebration.
Cannabis was first mentioned as early as 2800 BC when Emperor Shen Nung included it in his pharmacopoeia. Ancient texts reported how cannabis could treat various ailments including nausea, loss of appetite, pain, inflammation and anxiety.
Studies suggest that cultural aspects of cannabis use may depend on its social and legal environment in which it’s consumed, with gender identity possibly having an effect. Researchers have even discovered evidence suggesting how culture plays into cannabis consumption habits.