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The power of drugs: Implications from substance-use in ancient cultures 

Review by Tony Blomqvist Mickelsson 

 
Fitzpatrick, Scott. Ancient Psychoactive Substances (2018). University Press of Florida.  

 

Ancient Psychoactive Substances is an endeavor in the history of what the contemporary 

society perceives and classifies as both illegal and legal mind-altering substances. Edited by 

Dr. Scott Fitzpatrick, this investigation and anthology draws from numerous sources in a 

cross-disciplinary manner, ranging from biomolecular analysis to interpretations of the 

substance-use itself and the social context it was consumed in. Not only does Ancient 

Psychoactive Substances give a fascinating historical account of the cultural settings of 

former substance-use, it also highlights the emergence of the research field in question. 

Specifically, central to the volume is the relationship between that of mind-altering substances 

and people. Ultimately, the practice of substance-use seems to transcend both cultures and 

time, with great implications for further research.  

 

The volume consists of eleven chapters and an introduction, in which Fitzpatrick introduces 

categorizations of various substances. The three subsequent chapters investigate substance-

use in Eurasia, the Eastern Mediterranean and the Western Hemisphere. The fourth- and fifth 

chapter is concerned with substance-use in ancient America. Chapter six to eleven is primarily 

concerned with substance-use in the Caribbean, amongst the ancient Maya people, Amazon 

and the Andes. The chapters provide an overview of various stimulants and plants in different 

cultural contexts, and a good portion of the chapters also provide a thorough description of the 

substances’ respective biological and physical composition. This is accompanied by historic 

accounts, intertwined with different purposes and sometimes intrigues. For example, the 

authors touch upon Greek perceptions of “Scythians” (25) and their peculiar use of cannabis 

in funeral ceremonies, highlighting cultural differences and contrasts in relation to how 

substances are, perhaps, “supposed” to be utilized. Such examples shed light on more 



cognitive processes on a group level and potential intergroup dynamics in relation to various 

substances.   

 

Furthermore, the volume is concerned with how the effects of mind-altering substances may 

have impacted spiritual and religious practices in the past. The authors argue that Cannabis 

“...through the ages has allowed humans to cognitively recognize the god within and facilitate 

communication with their spirit world” (37). In a time dominated by spiritualism and 

shamanism, it is plausible that mind-altering substances must have had a profound effect on 

the connection between human and faith in god-like phenomena. One could argue that the 

elevated religious experiences due to mind-altering substances may very well have had 

imprints that still last to this day. Given the proposed historical impact of the substance in 

question, it is fair to say that further societal impact must be thoroughly discussed and 

examined, as cannabis specifically may be the most widely used illegal drug in our 

contemporary society (Richardson, 2010). By indicating such potential impact, Ancient 

Psychoactive Substances makes a significant contribution towards future research related to 

societal impacts due to substance-use and dramatically deepens the overall impact of the 

volume.  

 

In chapter six, Quetta Kaye dwells deeper into the interpersonal relationships and power 

structures that may have existed in the context of substance-use. Such power structures may 

vary in forms and operate on both individual, group and community level. However, these 

levels are inherently intertwined. This may be characterized by an individual who possess the 

knowledge specific to the mind-altering effect or access to such material (or both) when 

operating in groups or communities. Quetta Kaye draws accurate parallels to that of shamans; 

shamans were plausibly held in high regards due to their medicinal- and spiritual knowledge 

connected to substances (169). Although acquiring a great deal of social status, the shamans 

were also social servants. They served the community as a whole with their practices. Thus, it 

becomes apparent that the power dynamic is, partially, a dynamic relationship. The shaman 

may be well respected and be in possession of individual power, but the group and other 

circumstances (e.g., environmental) will determine how dependent the group in question are 

upon the shaman and his or her practices. Within these power structures mentioned, lies the 

opportunity to form social cohesion and intimate in-group connections. Ultimately, this may 

be transformed into something that could be bestowed upon as political power. Once again, 



the volume delicately highlights how psychoactive substances may have been utilized with 

greater purpose than one could initially imagine.  

 

Other former and still important societal issues are also reflected in chapter six, where Daniel 

Seinfeld analyzes depictures of Mayans and intoxication rituals. In a very hierarchical 

fashion, females are being depictured as mere servants in intoxication rituals. In such rituals, 

the males are clearly asserting a dominant position, to say the least, and seems to have 

exclusive access to any god-like experience the ritual may provide. Seinfeld discusses these 

findings in the light of contemporary television commercial, where one can behold males 

usually being served beer by attractive women (191). As the author argues, the gender 

identities in the context of alcohol, in this instance, are still very much present in today’s 

society.   

 

Ancient Psychoactive Substances provides a rich overview of the matter in question, in what 

seems to be a successful holistic approach. One has the opportunity to either dive deep into 

more biological matters and domains which pertain to archaeologists, but also to more social 

matters that is interesting to any social scientist. The connection between former impact and 

current status of certain substances in our society is particularly intriguing; the volume makes 

a strong case for making historical inquires when investigating contemporary substance-use. 

The only flaw one can come to think of is that the majority of the book is concerned with 

American populations. To summarize this review, the current volume is a fascinating 

empirical tale of substance-using ancient cultures which instantly increases the curiosity of 

the reader. Moreover, these captivating historical narratives are accompanied by more hard 

data on the actual substance in question. Thus, this fusion makes the book more readily 

available and ultimately interesting to a broader audience. Finally, in the eyes of a social 

scientist, the volume is surprisingly more concerned with societal issues and how substances 

were utilized in interpersonal relationships than one would expect. A range of such issues are 

discussed in the light of substance-use, including eligious practices, power structures and 

gender.  

 
 
 
 
 
 
 



Tony Blomqvist Mickelsson is a PhD student in Social Work at Södertörn University. His 
dissertation revolves around immigration and the use of sport as a vehicle for social change in 
the Baltic Sea region. However, he has a wide array of scholarly interests. Coming from a MA 
in forensic psychology and a BA in criminology, deviant behavior and drug-use has been of 
great interest. Additionally, working as a research assistant in a psychophysiological lab early 
sparked interest in neurological processes. 
 
 
 
Works cited:  
 
Fitzpatrick, S. 2018. Ancient Psychoactive Substances. University Press of Florida.  
 
Richardson, T. H. 2010. Cannabis Use and Mental Health: A Review of Recent Epide-  
miological Research. International Journal of Pharmacology 6: 796–807.  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

 
 

© 2020 Tony Blomqvist Mickelsson  


