The popularity of the narcotic in ancient Egypt had been hinted at in medical texts from Hippocrates to Galen and Dioscorides, as well as in religious symbolism, such as the poppy goddess on Crete, but it had been difficult to prove.
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The findings suggest a more sophisticated understanding of pain and mind altering experiences in ancient Egypt than previously thought. “If opiate use stretched from kings to commoners, we must reframe our perceptions about Egyptian medicine and opium’s role in its pharmacological sophistication,” writes Renton, in his email. “These findings would suggest that pain management, sedation, and perhaps controlled psychoactive experiences played meaningful roles in daily life and religious practice.”

https://nautil.us/archaeologists-uncover-lost-opioid-tradition-in-ancient-egypt-1247907/