Psychedelic beer used by ancient empire to win friends

New Atlas ^ | March 22, 2025 | Rich Haridy

[SunkenCiv]

A version of this article was originally published in 2022.

• Pre-Columbian tunnel complex discovered in southeastern Peru [08/17/2002]
• Glittering, unlooted tomb of queens discovered in Peru [07/14/2013]
• Mummified women, human sacrifices discovered in ancient Peruvian tomb [06/30/2013]
• Ancient Peruvian site forces experts to re-think past [02/26/2011]
• Maize may have fueled ancient Andean civilization [ update of sorts ] [07/10/2009]
• 'Ancient city unearthed' in Peru [ Chiclayo, Wari, Moche ] [12/17/2008]
• Pre-Incan Mettalurgy Discovered [04/19/2007]
• Trophy Skull Sheds Light on Ancient Wari Empire [01/24/2007]
• Kuelap - The Machu Picchu Of Northern Peru (Chachapoyas - White, blonde haired people) [10/07/2006]
• Elite Women Made Beer In Pre-Incan Culture [11/17/2005]
• Drunk Peruvians Torched Ancient Brewery [11/15/2005]
• Pre-Incan Brewery Unearthed in Peru's Andes (Chicha) [07/30/2004]
• Ancient Brewery Discovered On Mountain Top In Peru [07/28/2004]

[SunkenCiv]

Thanks for the link. The mysterious decline of the Wari Empire continues to puzzle historians... :^)

[Disambiguator]

An earlier and probably healthier version of Ecstasy.

[gundog]

bufotenine...also found in some toads.

[ViLaLuz]

bufotenine

I wonder if that’s the same chemical from toad licking.

[Bob434]

There is a clink ghey make up in alaska too that is hallucinogenic and bootleggers brew it there. Quite potent too I guess.

[Red Badger]

Yep!...............

[BenLurkin]

Date rape.

[SunkenCiv]

Unless there are figs or pomegranates available.

[SunkenCiv]

You guess... “guys talk, ya hear things...” yer not foolin’ me... ;^)

[SunkenCiv]

Ages ago when I used to go to a comedy club around here (well, not so near now, plus it’s probably long gone) I saw a comedian from somewhere Down South, and like many of them, he had a merch table where he sold his (at that time) cassettes, one of which was called “Lick a Toad” I think. That was one off his then-current and bigger bits.

[SunkenCiv]

I wonder if anyone’s using this stuff now?

[Harmless Teddy Bear]

Probably.

If it turns your brain to mush and makes you happy, happy, happy someone, somewhere is using it.

At least I don't think this is the stuff that makes your nose run uncontrollably.

[Bob434]

They had a show on it, a cops in Alaska show. I’m surprised you were able to read my post. Wow was it messed up- I forgot to check it before posting it 😆

[Bob434]

The post was supposed to read “there is a drink they make in alaska...”

I haven’t had the drink. But have had some mushrooms before back in my idiot years (20’s and 30’s)- They are wild on their own but I think thouhg the drink would be quote potent.

[Bob434]

I think that is peyote- not sure though. It was what they used in young,guns movie I think- if I remember right. They were puking and snot running out their noses in the movie.

[logi_cal869]

Better article

https://abusablepast.org/celebrating-to-survive-a-peoples-history-of-chicha-beer-in-bolivia/

[Harmless Teddy Bear]

I do remember it was a cactus so could be.

It has been a couple of decades since I studied Peruvian cultures and only bits remain.

[Bob434]

I just watched the scene again, I guess there weren’t any snot, but they did pukez- I had heard thst peyote does that-

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=EiI8xNDH79g

[algore]

Is there an amazon or other link to this fine product?