Archaeological Study Reveals Misinterpretations of Ancient Egyptian Blue Lotus Use in Rituals

A recent archaeological study suggests that Egyptologists may have misinterpreted the use of the psychoactive blue lotus in ancient Egypt. For decades, it was hypothesized that soaking these water lilies in wine released psychedelic properties used in rituals dating back 3,000 years. Liam McEvoy, from UC Berkeley, compared authentic plants grown in the University of California Botanical Garden with samples sold online, discovering they are different species. The study also suggests that the method of consumption, believed to be soaking in wine, may be inaccurate. McEvoy's research sheds light on the importance of the blue lotus in ancient Egyptian culture, particularly its role in the Festival Hathoric of the Drunkenness, where participants sought visions of the goddess Hathor. Chemical analysis revealed higher levels of the psychoactive alkaloid nuciferine in verified Egyptian blue lotus compared to online samples, indicating that the flowers sold online are visually similar but not psychoactive.