Uncover the deep cultural role of intoxicants in shaping societies worldwide. This insightful journey explores how psychoactive substances, from ancient Indian ‘haoma’ and Siberian magic mushrooms to stimulants like tea and coffee, have profoundly influenced religious, social, and political life. Understand the fascinating link between altered states of consciousness, cultural values, and societal rituals across history. Essential for students of anthropology, history, and sociology, or anyone curious about the universal human engagement with intoxicants and their pervasive impact on civilization.