A University of South Florida professor found the first-ever physical evidence of hallucinogens in an Egyptian mug, validating written records and centuries-old myths of ancient Egyptian rituals and practices. Through advanced chemical analyses, Davide Tanasi examined one of the world's few remaining Egyptian Bes mugs.
    • Paraponera_clavata@lemmy.worldEnglish
      24·
      12 hours ago

      Found it in the study:

      "Our analyses revealed traces of Peganum harmala, Nimphaea nouchali var. caerulea, and a plant of the Cleome genus, all of which are traditionally proven to have psychotropic and medicinal properties. Additionally, the identification of human fluids suggests their direct involvement in these rituals. Furthermore, metabolomics and SR µ-FTIR analyses also revealed the presence of fermented fruit-based liquid and other ingredients such as honey or royal jelly. "

        • ultranaut@lemmy.worldEnglish
          3·
          6 hours ago

          The harmala should be, its Syrian Rue, which contains an MAOI and has been used in recent decades for creating ahistorical version of Ayahuasca by combining it with either a DMT containing plant or synthetic/extracted DMT. I think access to the actual plants used traditionally for Ayahuasca is more common so probably Syrian Rue has likely become less used for that now.