Tag: Oldest drug

Archaeological evidence of medicinal plant use may date back 60,000 years, prompting the question: which is the oldest drug in the world? [1.7.1] The answer lies deep in our prehistoric and ancient past, with opium being a prime candidate. [1.2.1]

With archaeological evidence pointing to human use of psychoactive plants dating back over 10,000 years, the question of **what is the oldest drug on Earth?** is complex, but one substance with an exceptionally long and well-documented history is opium. The story of humanity's engagement with pharmacology is one of trial, error, and discovery, blending spiritual rituals with pragmatic attempts to alleviate suffering.

For over 3,500 years, the medicinal properties of willow bark were utilized by ancient civilizations like the Sumerians and Egyptians, making its modern descendant, aspirin, a candidate for what is the oldest drug still used today. This remarkable pharmaceutical journey demonstrates the evolution of medicine from herbal remedies to synthetic compounds.

The earliest evidence of a human-made alcoholic beverage dates back 13,000 years, found in a prehistoric burial site in Israel [1.3.1, 1.3.3]. This discovery raises the question: what is the oldest drug known to mankind? The answer is complex, involving alcohol, opium, and other psychoactive plants.