People took hallucinogens in Spain 3,000 years ago, a new study shows.

 

People took hallucinogens in Spain 3,000 years ago, a new study shows.   The research team analyzed hair found at a burial site on the island of Menorca and detected three psychoactive substances: atropine, scopolamine, and ephedrine. Atropine and scopolamine both induce hallucinations, while ephedrine provides energy. The locks of hair were found at a burial site inside a cave.  Researchers say the substances could have been used in rituals held in the cave, which may have been led by shamans "who were capable of controlling the side effects of the plant drugs." The lids of the containers where the hair was found featured spiral motifs. Researchers speculated that these could have been drawn by someone in an "altered state of consciousness." The study was published in the journal Scientific Reports. Previous research has shown that people have been using psychedelic substances like peyote and ayahuasca for thousands of years.