Tobacco and its predecessors

Tobacco was introduced to Europe and the Mediterranean in the early 16th century by Spanish and Portuguese explorers returning from the Americas. 


The first recorded mention of tobacco in Europe is in a letter written by a Spanish soldier in 1518, and by the 1530s tobacco was being cultivated in Spain and Portugal.


Tobacco quickly became popular in Europe, and by the end of the 16th century it was being smoked, snuffed, and chewed all over the continent. Tobacco was also introduced to the Mediterranean region at this time, and it quickly became a popular crop in Italy, Greece, and Turkey.


In the 17th century, tobacco cultivation and trade became a major source of revenue for many European countries.


Tobacco was also used by European powers to colonize and control other parts of the world.


For example, the British East India Company introduced tobacco cultivation to India in the 17th century, and the French introduced tobacco cultivation to North America in the 18th century.


Today, tobacco is still a major crop in many European and Mediterranean countries. It is also a major source of revenue for governments through tobacco taxes.


People smoked things before tobacco was introduced to Europe and the Mediterranean. The earliest evidence of smoking dates back to the Bronze Age, around 5000 BC. 


At this time, people in India, Mesopotamia, and Egypt were smoking various plants for medicinal and religious purposes.


Some of the plants that people smoked before tobacco include:


Cannabis

Hops

Mugwort

Henbane

Datura


The physiological effects of hops, mugwort, henbane, datura, and Nicotiana rustica vary depending on the plant and the dose. However, all of these plants can have significant effects on the body, both positive and negative.


Hops


Hops are a flowering plant that is used in the brewing of beer. Hops contain a number of compounds that have physiological effects, including:


Alpha-acids: They also have sedative and hypnotic effects.


Beta-acids: These compounds  have anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial effects.


Humulones and lupulones: They also have sedative and hypnotic effects.


Mugwort


Mugwort is a flowering plant that has been used for centuries in traditional medicine. 


Mugwort contains a number of compounds that have physiological effects, including:


Thujone: This compound has a stimulating effect on the central nervous system. It can also cause hallucinations and other side effects.


Artemisinin: This compound is an effective antimalarial drug.


Chamazulene: This compound has anti-inflammatory and analgesic effects.



Henbane


Henbane is a poisonous plant that is not recommended for use. Henbane contains a number of compounds that have physiological effects, including:


Hyoscyamine: This compound has a sedative and hypnotic effect. It can also cause hallucinations and other side effects.


Atropine: This compound blocks the effects of acetylcholine, a neurotransmitter. This can cause a number of side effects, including dry mouth, blurred vision, and difficulty urinating.


Scopolamine: This compound has a sedative and hypnotic effect. It can also cause amnesia and other side effects.


Datura

Datura is a poisonous plant that is not recommended for use. Datura contains a number of compounds that have physiological effects, including:


Atropine: This compound blocks the effects of acetylcholine, a neurotransmitter. This can cause a number of side effects, including dry mouth, blurred vision, and difficulty urinating.


Scopolamine: This compound has a sedative and hypnotic effect. 


It can also cause amnesia and other side effects.


Hyoscyamine: This compound has a sedative and hypnotic effect. It can also cause hallucinations and other side effects.


Nicotiana rustica


Nicotiana rustica is a species of tobacco plant that is more potent than Nicotiana tabacum, the species of tobacco plant that is most commonly used in cigarettes. 


Nicotiana rustica contains a number of compounds that have physiological effects, including:


Nicotine: This compound is highly addictive and has a number of physiological effects, including increased heart rate and blood pressure, and decreased appetite.


Nornicotine: This compound is similar to nicotine in its effects, but it is less potent.


Anabasine: This compound has a number of physiological effects, including increased heart rate and blood pressure, and decreased appetite.


These plants were smoked in a variety of ways, including in pipes, water pipes, and rolled-up leaves. They were used for a variety of purposes, including:


To induce altered states of consciousness


To treat various illnesses


To perform religious rituals


Tobacco quickly became the most popular plant to smoke, but people continued to smoke other plants as well. 



For example, cannabis has been smoked for centuries in Asia, Europe, and Africa.


Unlikely Buddha 2023




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