Question

Humans began using mind-altering substances:

a) during the 1960s
b) in Europe during the Middle Ages
c) in ancient Greece and Rome
d) in ancient Egypt 4,000 years ago
e) during prehistoric times tens of thousands of years ago

Answer 1

Humans have used mind-altering substances since prehistoric times, with evidence of ritual and recreational use dating back more than 5,700 years and alcohol production at least 9,000 years ago.

Step-by-step explanation:

Humans have used mind-altering substances since prehistoric times, tens of thousands of years ago, well before the 1960s, the Middle Ages, ancient Greece and Rome, or ancient Egypt 4,000 years ago. Evidence of this use includes the rituals involving the mescaline-containing peyote cactus by Native Americans dating back 5,700 years, the use of Amanita muscaria mushrooms in prehistoric Europe, and discoveries suggesting the brewing of alcoholic beverages from rice, barley, and grapes at least 9,000 years ago. Furthermore, wine consumption was a feature of ancient civilizations such as Greece, Egypt, and Rome, where moderation was encouraged except during specific religious festivals.

The earliest instances of chemistry practices that led to substance use can be traced back to the control of fire by humans, which enabled them to cook, make pottery, smelt metals, and later to isolate a variety of drugs from plants, produce alcohol by fermentation, and extract alkalies for the production of soaps.

Thus, the correct answer to the question of when humans began using mind-altering substances is e) during prehistoric times tens of thousands of years ago.

Answer 2

Mind-altering substances have been used by humans since prehistoric times, both for ritual purposes and alcohol consumption, with evidence of their use dating back at least 9,000 years.

Step-by-step explanation:

Humans began using mind-altering substances during prehistoric times tens of thousands of years ago. Evidence of ritual uses dates back to these times, with substances like the mescaline-containing peyote cactus and the hallucinogenic mushroom Amanita muscaria being used for religious ceremonies. Additionally, alcohol consumption has a long history, with evidence of the production of alcoholic beverages in northern China and the Middle East dating back at least 9,000 years ago. Through the development of chemistry, humans isolated a variety of drugs from plants, separated metals for alloy production, and learned to produce and distill alcohol.