Prehistoric humans cooked herbal mixtures and got high. Scientists for over a period of time did suspect that humans had a drug usage record, although the evidence available has been indirect, such as bizzare images discovered in cave art of pre-historic times to the discovery of hemp seeds during excavations.

Equipment meant for the preparation of hallucinogenic drugs fmeant to be sniffed, which date back to tribes of South America was located by researchers. Archaeologist belonging to North Carolina, Scott Fitzpatrick and Quetta Kaye, University College, London discovered tubes meant for inhaling drug fumes or for that matter powders and ceramic bowls, on the Caribbean island, Carriacou. The bowls seem to have had origins in South America somewhere between 100 BC and 400 BC and subsequently taken 400 miles distance to the islands. It appears that drug use was perhaps quite widespread for thousand of years before this period.

The bowls were used for inhaling hallucinogenic substances. Only one could ascertain which drug was used. Cannabis was not to be found. Kaye felt perhaps cohoba may have been used, which happens is made of beans of mimosa species.

Archaeological investigations carried out in Mexico and Texas indicate that nearly 5,000 years ago , extraction of mind-expanding drugs from peyote cacti and mescal beans took place by humans. One can extract opiates from several species, including poppies.

Source: TOI 21st,2008 (Sunday Times, London)