Cocaine Traces Found in 17th-Century Milan Brains

Recent research has revealed traces of cocaine in mummified brain tissue from the 17th century, found in a crypt associated with Ospedale Maggiore in Milan, Italy. This discovery indicates that Europeans may have been using coca leaves for recreational purposes nearly 200 years earlier than previously thought. The study, published in the Journal of Archaeological Science, found active components of the coca plant, such as cocaine and hygrine, in at least two of the nine tested brain samples, suggesting that the drug may have been consumed in its leaf form rather than as a purified powder. The presence of coca raises questions about its accessibility and use among lower socioeconomic classes during this period, despite its absence from hospital records. This finding adds to a growing body of evidence suggesting that drug use in Europe was more complex than earlier historical narratives indicated. The research underscores the ongoing exploration of drug history and its implications in understanding societal behaviors in 17th-century Europe.