Ever wonder where the image of a witch soaring on a broomstick came from? While it sounds like pure fantasy, some historians point to a rather psychoactive explanation. During the witch trials of early modern Europe, tales emerged of 'flying ointments.' These salves were reportedly concocted from a potent and dangerous brew of plants like henbane, belladonna, and mandrake. When applied to the skin, these ingredients could induce powerful hallucinations, including the sensation of flying. The broomstick? It's theorized to have been a, shall we say, *effective applicator* for the ointment to the body's mucous membranes. While cannabis wasn't the main ingredient in these European recipes, this spooky bit of lore highlights humanity's ancient and often mystical relationship with psychoactive botanicals.