#alcoholicsanonymous — Public Fediverse posts

The Maya & Booze

The Maya have always interested me. One of the things I noticed is that they gave themselves alcohol enemas!

I was wondering about why they have little of the big troubles our modern society has that are alcohol related? For instance the domestic violence, 90% at least has alcohol in the equation. Looked up why…..

Firstly the enema story. Man I have sat in the Rooms of the AA many times, many years, and have heard things that most would not believe. But never ever heard of an Alky getting his “fix” like this. You would think someone would have tried it, even just to  not get “booze breath”.

Why they did it.

To avoid vomiting: The Maya brewed an alcoholic drink called balché or pulque and mixed it with wild tobacco, water lilies, or other hallucinogenic plants. Drinking large amounts of this toxic, bitter mixture caused immediate vomiting. Administering it rectally bypassed the stomach completely, allowing them to absorb the full payload without throwing up.

To reach rapid spiritual ecstasy: The Maya believed that extreme states of intoxication allowed them to commune with gods and ancestors. Rectal absorption enters the bloodstream rapidly, triggering an intense, rapid altered state of consciousness.

It was an elite social ritual: Far from being a hidden taboo, these events were sacred, communal, and political ceremonies. They were attended by royal family members, elites, and even families.

Ok. Now let’s look why the different results socially…. I found this:

In the ancient Maya civilization, alcohol was used very differently than it is in modern society, which drastically altered its social impact. While the Maya certainly experienced the universal physical and behavioral effects of alcohol, their strict social structures, deeply embedded religious frameworks, and economic limitations largely prevented the chronic, widespread social problems and domestic violence seen today.

1. Highly Controlled, Periodic Availability

Unlike modern society, where alcohol is mass-produced, heavily marketed, and readily available 24/7, Maya alcohol was a limited resource.

• Tied to the Seasons: Beverages like balché and chicha had a short shelf life and could not be preserved long-term.
• Event-Based Drinking: Drinking was strictly restricted to specific calendar dates, religious festivals, agricultural milestones, and state feasts. Because people could not drink casually or daily, chronic alcoholism was rare.

2. Deeply Taboo Outside Rituals

Drinking outside an approved sacred context was considered a severe violation of social norms. Because drunkenness was viewed as a literal tool for “divine communication,” recreational or solitary drinking was seen as a misuse of the sacred. The surrounding community held intense social pressure over individuals to keep intoxication confined strictly to public, holy spaces.

3. Communal and Public Settings

In modern times, alcohol-fueled domestic violence often occurs behind closed doors in private residences. For the Maya, drinking was almost exclusively a public, communal act. Ceremonies took place in open plazas or designated temples under the watchful eyes of community elders, priests, and local leaders. This highly public setting acted as a natural deterrent against erratic, anti-social, or violent behavior.

Well that is interesting, as some people are now saying that, and I agree, it is not the alcohol or even drugs that are the CAUSE of addiction, but our society.

Rate this:

The Maya & Booze

The Maya have always interested me. One of the things I noticed is that they gave themselves alcohol enemas!

I was wondering about why they have little of the big troubles our modern society has that are alcohol related? For instance the domestic violence, 90% at least has alcohol in the equation. Looked up why…..

Firstly the enema story. Man I have sat in the Rooms of the AA many times, many years, and have heard things that most would not believe. But never ever heard of an Alky getting his “fix” like this. You would think someone would have tried it, even just to  not get “booze breath”.

Why they did it.

To avoid vomiting: The Maya brewed an alcoholic drink called balché or pulque and mixed it with wild tobacco, water lilies, or other hallucinogenic plants. Drinking large amounts of this toxic, bitter mixture caused immediate vomiting. Administering it rectally bypassed the stomach completely, allowing them to absorb the full payload without throwing up.

To reach rapid spiritual ecstasy: The Maya believed that extreme states of intoxication allowed them to commune with gods and ancestors. Rectal absorption enters the bloodstream rapidly, triggering an intense, rapid altered state of consciousness.

It was an elite social ritual: Far from being a hidden taboo, these events were sacred, communal, and political ceremonies. They were attended by royal family members, elites, and even families.

Ok. Now let’s look why the different results socially…. I found this:

In the ancient Maya civilization, alcohol was used very differently than it is in modern society, which drastically altered its social impact. While the Maya certainly experienced the universal physical and behavioral effects of alcohol, their strict social structures, deeply embedded religious frameworks, and economic limitations largely prevented the chronic, widespread social problems and domestic violence seen today.

1. Highly Controlled, Periodic Availability

Unlike modern society, where alcohol is mass-produced, heavily marketed, and readily available 24/7, Maya alcohol was a limited resource.

• Tied to the Seasons: Beverages like balché and chicha had a short shelf life and could not be preserved long-term.
• Event-Based Drinking: Drinking was strictly restricted to specific calendar dates, religious festivals, agricultural milestones, and state feasts. Because people could not drink casually or daily, chronic alcoholism was rare.

2. Deeply Taboo Outside Rituals

Drinking outside an approved sacred context was considered a severe violation of social norms. Because drunkenness was viewed as a literal tool for “divine communication,” recreational or solitary drinking was seen as a misuse of the sacred. The surrounding community held intense social pressure over individuals to keep intoxication confined strictly to public, holy spaces.

3. Communal and Public Settings

In modern times, alcohol-fueled domestic violence often occurs behind closed doors in private residences. For the Maya, drinking was almost exclusively a public, communal act. Ceremonies took place in open plazas or designated temples under the watchful eyes of community elders, priests, and local leaders. This highly public setting acted as a natural deterrent against erratic, anti-social, or violent behavior.

Well that is interesting, as some people are now saying that, and I agree, it is not the alcohol or even drugs that are the CAUSE of addiction, but our society.

Rate this:

The Maya & Booze

The Maya have always interested me. One of the things I noticed is that they gave themselves alcohol enemas!

I was wondering about why they have little of the big troubles our modern society has that are alcohol related? For instance the domestic violence, 90% at least has alcohol in the equation. Looked up why…..

Firstly the enema story. Man I have sat in the Rooms of the AA many times, many years, and have heard things that most would not believe. But never ever heard of an Alky getting his “fix” like this. You would think someone would have tried it, even just to  not get “booze breath”.

Why they did it.

To avoid vomiting: The Maya brewed an alcoholic drink called balché or pulque and mixed it with wild tobacco, water lilies, or other hallucinogenic plants. Drinking large amounts of this toxic, bitter mixture caused immediate vomiting. Administering it rectally bypassed the stomach completely, allowing them to absorb the full payload without throwing up.

To reach rapid spiritual ecstasy: The Maya believed that extreme states of intoxication allowed them to commune with gods and ancestors. Rectal absorption enters the bloodstream rapidly, triggering an intense, rapid altered state of consciousness.

It was an elite social ritual: Far from being a hidden taboo, these events were sacred, communal, and political ceremonies. They were attended by royal family members, elites, and even families.

Ok. Now let’s look why the different results socially…. I found this:

In the ancient Maya civilization, alcohol was used very differently than it is in modern society, which drastically altered its social impact. While the Maya certainly experienced the universal physical and behavioral effects of alcohol, their strict social structures, deeply embedded religious frameworks, and economic limitations largely prevented the chronic, widespread social problems and domestic violence seen today.

1. Highly Controlled, Periodic Availability

Unlike modern society, where alcohol is mass-produced, heavily marketed, and readily available 24/7, Maya alcohol was a limited resource.

• Tied to the Seasons: Beverages like balché and chicha had a short shelf life and could not be preserved long-term.
• Event-Based Drinking: Drinking was strictly restricted to specific calendar dates, religious festivals, agricultural milestones, and state feasts. Because people could not drink casually or daily, chronic alcoholism was rare.

2. Deeply Taboo Outside Rituals

Drinking outside an approved sacred context was considered a severe violation of social norms. Because drunkenness was viewed as a literal tool for “divine communication,” recreational or solitary drinking was seen as a misuse of the sacred. The surrounding community held intense social pressure over individuals to keep intoxication confined strictly to public, holy spaces.

3. Communal and Public Settings

In modern times, alcohol-fueled domestic violence often occurs behind closed doors in private residences. For the Maya, drinking was almost exclusively a public, communal act. Ceremonies took place in open plazas or designated temples under the watchful eyes of community elders, priests, and local leaders. This highly public setting acted as a natural deterrent against erratic, anti-social, or violent behavior.

Well that is interesting, as some people are now saying that, and I agree, it is not the alcohol or even drugs that are the CAUSE of addiction, but our society.

Rate this:

The Maya & Booze

The Maya have always interested me. One of the things I noticed is that they gave themselves alcohol enemas!

I was wondering about why they have little of the big troubles our modern society has that are alcohol related? For instance the domestic violence, 90% at least has alcohol in the equation. Looked up why…..

Firstly the enema story. Man I have sat in the Rooms of the AA many times, many years, and have heard things that most would not believe. But never ever heard of an Alky getting his “fix” like this. You would think someone would have tried it, even just to  not get “booze breath”.

Why they did it.

To avoid vomiting: The Maya brewed an alcoholic drink called balché or pulque and mixed it with wild tobacco, water lilies, or other hallucinogenic plants. Drinking large amounts of this toxic, bitter mixture caused immediate vomiting. Administering it rectally bypassed the stomach completely, allowing them to absorb the full payload without throwing up.

To reach rapid spiritual ecstasy: The Maya believed that extreme states of intoxication allowed them to commune with gods and ancestors. Rectal absorption enters the bloodstream rapidly, triggering an intense, rapid altered state of consciousness.

It was an elite social ritual: Far from being a hidden taboo, these events were sacred, communal, and political ceremonies. They were attended by royal family members, elites, and even families.

Ok. Now let’s look why the different results socially…. I found this:

In the ancient Maya civilization, alcohol was used very differently than it is in modern society, which drastically altered its social impact. While the Maya certainly experienced the universal physical and behavioral effects of alcohol, their strict social structures, deeply embedded religious frameworks, and economic limitations largely prevented the chronic, widespread social problems and domestic violence seen today.

1. Highly Controlled, Periodic Availability

Unlike modern society, where alcohol is mass-produced, heavily marketed, and readily available 24/7, Maya alcohol was a limited resource.

• Tied to the Seasons: Beverages like balché and chicha had a short shelf life and could not be preserved long-term.
• Event-Based Drinking: Drinking was strictly restricted to specific calendar dates, religious festivals, agricultural milestones, and state feasts. Because people could not drink casually or daily, chronic alcoholism was rare.

2. Deeply Taboo Outside Rituals

Drinking outside an approved sacred context was considered a severe violation of social norms. Because drunkenness was viewed as a literal tool for “divine communication,” recreational or solitary drinking was seen as a misuse of the sacred. The surrounding community held intense social pressure over individuals to keep intoxication confined strictly to public, holy spaces.

3. Communal and Public Settings

In modern times, alcohol-fueled domestic violence often occurs behind closed doors in private residences. For the Maya, drinking was almost exclusively a public, communal act. Ceremonies took place in open plazas or designated temples under the watchful eyes of community elders, priests, and local leaders. This highly public setting acted as a natural deterrent against erratic, anti-social, or violent behavior.

Well that is interesting, as some people are now saying that, and I agree, it is not the alcohol or even drugs that are the CAUSE of addiction, but our society.

Rate this:

The Maya & Booze

The Maya have always interested me. One of the things I noticed is that they gave themselves alcohol enemas!

I was wondering about why they have little of the big troubles our modern society has that are alcohol related? For instance the domestic violence, 90% at least has alcohol in the equation. Looked up why…..

Firstly the enema story. Man I have sat in the Rooms of the AA many times, many years, and have heard things that most would not believe. But never ever heard of an Alky getting his “fix” like this. You would think someone would have tried it, even just to  not get “booze breath”.

Why they did it.

To avoid vomiting: The Maya brewed an alcoholic drink called balché or pulque and mixed it with wild tobacco, water lilies, or other hallucinogenic plants. Drinking large amounts of this toxic, bitter mixture caused immediate vomiting. Administering it rectally bypassed the stomach completely, allowing them to absorb the full payload without throwing up.

To reach rapid spiritual ecstasy: The Maya believed that extreme states of intoxication allowed them to commune with gods and ancestors. Rectal absorption enters the bloodstream rapidly, triggering an intense, rapid altered state of consciousness.

It was an elite social ritual: Far from being a hidden taboo, these events were sacred, communal, and political ceremonies. They were attended by royal family members, elites, and even families.

Ok. Now let’s look why the different results socially…. I found this:

In the ancient Maya civilization, alcohol was used very differently than it is in modern society, which drastically altered its social impact. While the Maya certainly experienced the universal physical and behavioral effects of alcohol, their strict social structures, deeply embedded religious frameworks, and economic limitations largely prevented the chronic, widespread social problems and domestic violence seen today.

1. Highly Controlled, Periodic Availability

Unlike modern society, where alcohol is mass-produced, heavily marketed, and readily available 24/7, Maya alcohol was a limited resource.

• Tied to the Seasons: Beverages like balché and chicha had a short shelf life and could not be preserved long-term.
• Event-Based Drinking: Drinking was strictly restricted to specific calendar dates, religious festivals, agricultural milestones, and state feasts. Because people could not drink casually or daily, chronic alcoholism was rare.

2. Deeply Taboo Outside Rituals

Drinking outside an approved sacred context was considered a severe violation of social norms. Because drunkenness was viewed as a literal tool for “divine communication,” recreational or solitary drinking was seen as a misuse of the sacred. The surrounding community held intense social pressure over individuals to keep intoxication confined strictly to public, holy spaces.

3. Communal and Public Settings

In modern times, alcohol-fueled domestic violence often occurs behind closed doors in private residences. For the Maya, drinking was almost exclusively a public, communal act. Ceremonies took place in open plazas or designated temples under the watchful eyes of community elders, priests, and local leaders. This highly public setting acted as a natural deterrent against erratic, anti-social, or violent behavior.

Well that is interesting, as some people are now saying that, and I agree, it is not the alcohol or even drugs that are the CAUSE of addiction, but our society.

Rate this: