17th Century Cocaine Use in Europe Revealed by Archaeological Discovery

• Toxicological analysis of 1600s human remains in Milan, Italy uncovers evidence of cocaine use
• Alkaloids from Erythroxylum spp. (coca plant) detected in preserved brain tissue samples
• Finding predates previously known European cocaine use by almost 200 years
• Coca plant not listed in hospital pharmacopeia, suggesting non-medical use
• Study highlights potential of archaeotoxicology in uncovering historical drug consumption patterns

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