Cavemen took mind-bending drugs

A new study of 3,000-year-old human hair found at Es Carritx cave in Menorca, Spain, shows that Stone Age revellers used hallucinogens from plants to get high.

Scientists found scopolamine, ephedrine and atropine in three replicated hair samples from the site and the discovery provides the first evidence of ancient drug use in Europe.

Professor Elisa Guerra-Doce, from the University of Valladolid, and her team believe that the plants were used in ritual ceremonies performed by a Bronze Age shaman.

She explained: "Atropine and scopolamine are naturally found in the nightshade plant family and can induce delirium, hallucinations and altered sensory perception.

"Ephedrine is derived from shrubs and pines which can increase excitement, alertness, and physical activity.

"Considering the potential toxicity... their handling, use and applications represented highly specialised knowledge.

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