Human History on Drugs audiobook cover - An Utterly Scandalous but Entirely Truthful Look at History Under the Influence

Human History on Drugs

An Utterly Scandalous but Entirely Truthful Look at History Under the Influence

Sam Kelly

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Health & NutritionSociety & CultureHistory

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Human History on Drugs
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Quiz — Test Your Understanding

Question 1 of 7
What was the actual source of the Oracle of Delphi's prophetic visions that shaped ancient Greek geopolitics?
  • A. A potent brew of fermented wheat and opium used by the priesthood.
  • B. Ethylene gas leaking from fault lines beneath the temple, combined with poisonous oleander leaves.
  • C. A ritualistic fasting process combined with the chewing of early coca leaves imported from traders.
  • D. The consumption of ergot-contaminated bread that caused mass hallucinations.
Question 2 of 7
How did Marcus Aurelius's drug use seemingly contrast with his famous philosophical writings?
  • A. He wrote about stoicism, emotional control, and mastering desire while heavily dependent on a potent opiate mixture.
  • B. He preached the virtues of a completely sober mind while secretly hosting hallucinogenic rituals.
  • C. He advocated for the medical use of cannabis but strictly forbade its recreational use among his soldiers.
  • D. He wrote about the chaos of the universe while using stimulants to maintain rigid control over his empire.
Question 3 of 7
How did Sigmund Freud's relationship with cocaine influence his career?
  • A. He used it to successfully cure his own morphine addiction before abandoning it entirely.
  • B. He developed his foundational theories of psychoanalysis, such as the unconscious mind, while using it heavily.
  • C. He only prescribed it to his patients but refused to use it himself due to its dangers.
  • D. He discovered its anesthetic properties but abandoned it after the CIA's MKUltra experiments.
Question 4 of 7
How was a potential nuclear catastrophe averted during Richard Nixon's presidency?
  • A. The Secret Service confiscated the nuclear football whenever Nixon was prescribed amphetamines.
  • B. His cabinet established an informal protocol to ignore his nuclear launch orders after dark when he was intoxicated.
  • C. Soviet spies intercepted his erratic communications and decided not to retaliate.
  • D. Dr. Max Jacobson intervened by administering sedatives to calm his rage-filled stupors.
Question 5 of 7
According to the book, what medical explanation accounts for the distinctive yellow hues in Vincent van Gogh's most famous paintings?
  • A. His heavy use of absinthe caused permanent damage to his optic nerve.
  • B. He was treated with digitalis from foxglove plants, which causes a condition that tints vision yellow.
  • C. His consumption of opium-laced wine altered his perception of light and shadow.
  • D. The lead-based yellow paints he used caused heavy metal poisoning and visual hallucinations.
Question 6 of 7
How did Steve Jobs view the role of psychedelics in the development of Apple?
  • A. He believed LSD use was a distraction from the strict technical specifications required for computing.
  • B. He credited LSD with inspiring Apple's fusion of technology and the liberal arts, and its intuitive design.
  • C. He strictly banned the use of any mind-altering substances by Apple engineers to maintain corporate security.
  • D. He used psychedelics to cope with the stress of running a company, but kept it entirely separate from Apple's philosophy.
Question 7 of 7
What is the overarching thesis of 'Human History on Drugs'?
  • A. The prohibition of drugs in the 20th century directly caused a decline in global artistic and scientific innovation.
  • B. Mind-altering substances have been a constant, influential force behind both major human achievements and historical catastrophes.
  • C. Most historical accounts of drug use by famous figures are exaggerated myths created by modern countercultures.
  • D. The technological advancements of Silicon Valley will eventually render the human need for mind-altering substances obsolete.

Human History on Drugs — Full Chapter Overview

Human History on Drugs Summary & Overview

Human History on Drugs (2025) reveals how mind-altering substances have shaped forty of history's most influential figures, from ancient oracles to modern tech billionaires. The book exposes the hidden role of drugs in world-changing decisions, scientific breakthroughs, and cultural revolutions across five thousand years of human civilization. 

Who Should Listen to Human History on Drugs?

  • People interested in the intersection of science, creativity, and consciousness
  • History buffs who enjoy learning surprising facts about well-known figures
  • Anyone who's ever wondered about the real stories from behind the scenes of pivotal world events

About the Author: Sam Kelly

Sam Kelly holds a history degree from Stanford University and has built a following of nearly 100,000 on TikTok through his entertaining approach to forgotten historical facts. Kelly credits his autism with giving him the intense focus needed to dig deep into historical mysteries that others overlook.

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