Brave New World Narcotic Analysis

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Drugs and Narcotics have had many uses in religions and societies both ancient and modern. There are many types of drugs that are used for medicine and recreation. Drugs are also represented in media, as the drug “soma” is used in the novel Brave New World by Aldous Huxley. This essay will analyze narcotics and their use in ancient and modern civilizations and religions, as well as the physical and societal effects of drug use in the United States. The use of drugs in ancient cultures such as Near East, Egyptians, Greeks, Romans, Aztec, Inca, and Pre-Colombians, were mostly made and used as aphrodisiacs and anaphrodisiacs, a drug that lowers sex drive. (Elefrink 25). If they could not gain sexual love or affection normally or magically, the …show more content…
Married couples would attempt to have multiple children, because the more children they had, the more important they were in society. (Elefrink 26). These societies also had a need for soldiers, so procreation was encouraged by leaders. (26). Drug usage by the Aztec were most likely influenced by two goddesses in their mythology: Xochiquetzal and Tlazolteotl. Xochiquetzal was a goddess of love and flowers who grew a fruit that was an aphrodisiac. She ate the fruit and was expelled from the paradise in which she lived because of her increased sexuality and immorality. Tlazolteotl was a goddess of lust and sexuality. When the Aztecs would sin, they would confess to a priest. If they didn't confess, Tlazolteotl would grant them with sexual disease. (26). Like many drugs used today, ancient cultures derived their aphrodisiacs, anaphrodisiacs, and other drugs from plants and animals. One of the aphrodisiacs that the Aztecs used was a chocolate beverage called “Atextli”. Scientists believe that the effects of the aphrodisiacs did not derive from the chocolate, but other ingredients that were added to the drink (27). If there was trouble in a marraige, couples would ingest “cutiriqui” which was used for “eliminating envy and reestablishing love” (Elefrink 27). This drug was taken either orally or applied to sexual organs …show more content…
Ceremonial use of peyote has existed for longer than 5,700 years and many colonizers and governments have tried to ban the use of peyote. The journal, “Prevalence of Reported Peyote Use 1985-2012 Effects of the American Indian Religious Freedom Act of 1994” by Bob Prue, says, “ Spanish and Anglo colonizers have attempted to control AI religious life by suppressing peyote use. Oklahoma first banned peyote in 1899, and then 9 years
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