The influence of diet in human evolution

Danilo Anton

Little is known about the influence of diet and exotic metabolites in mutations occurred during the evolution of the human species.

We know that early humans had a varied diet by studying their teeth and jaws and remains found in archeological sites. 

Surely the archaic diet was very diverse: fish 3   , aquatic invertebrates, fruits, honey, eggs, mushrooms, stems, roots and plant leaves, and to a lesser extent birds, mammals, reptiles and other terrestrial organisms. The meat of terrestrial vertebrates was incorporated into the diet in later times when humans started using the fire to cook their meals.

. Likewise, consumption of grains from grasses (gramineae) took place ​​when new technologies were developed to process the seeds. This occurred when selected strains with an increased size of the edible parts, and more particularly, when grasses could be planted over larger areas.

This process was gradual and took place relatively late in human evolution, about 10,000 years ago.

However, over a long period, the diet had a great diversity and communities continued experimenting with the multiple sources of local foods.

Since ancient times, this exploration led to the discovery that certain plants had the power to increase sensory abilities.

Some of these plants acted directly on the nervous system, particularly on the mind, resulting in altered states of consciousness

They are now called “psychoactive” plants

In many ecosystems of the planet, psychoactive species are numerous.   Their characteristics are varied as it is their impact on human psyche. They belong to several phyla: fungi, cacti, grasses, vines, shrubs and trees. The active parts of the plant are also multiple: leaves, fruits, barks or roots, and even flowers. 

The effect occurs when the absorption of the plant products take place, either through direct ingestion, chewing or sucking, drinking infussions and even through the aspiration of fumes and vapors.

The “discovery” of these plants, their effects and how best to consume them were gradual processes, of which, for lack of direct information, we know very little. 

Perhaps in many cases it took place as a result of repeated tests, associated experiences of success and failure, and transgenerational  trasmission of consumption experiences.

According to the claims of many shamans who still use these plants in some parts of the world, the plants themselves communicate their messages and their effect would be stronger or better, when consumed in the proper spiritual framework.

Whatever the origin, human ancestors realized that certain food sources had special and beneficial effects. Some suppressed appetite, others allowed to relieve pain or provided sudden bursts of energy. There were plants that conferred immunity to diseases and others, the psychoactive plants, that generated modified states of consciousness.

Repeated use of these plants, generation after generation, for several  hundred thousand years, had a selective effect on the human species.

Those individuals or communities who consumed the appropriate plants were better able to survive and reproduce. They had higher visual acuity, better smell and hearing and stronger ability for sexual recognition. Those who did not were in a position of clear inferiority. Over time the selective pressure favored the groups who consumed the psychoactive plant. Tens or hundreds thousands of years later most human communities became consumers of such plants.

This diet is perhaps responsible for the loss of basic sensory capabilities of the human species. These substances included in the regular diet made unnecessary to devote energy to maintain those physiological sensory capacities at peak levels. For that reason, human beings decreased their visual acuity, its smell and hearing deteriorated (to the point that are much lower than most mammals today), and the sexual olfactory recognition decreased..

While these processes of sensory reduction occurred, a gradual increase in capacity for generation and interpretation of symbols, intellect and imagination took place. 

By acting directly on the nervous system, these substances accentuated the complexity and size of the brain.

The result was the emergence of new forms of social relationships as language and culture. These repeated findings were key to propel humans in their long evolutionary journey towards nervous complexity, spirituality expansion and self-reflection.

The current diet which lack in many of these psychoactive elements is clearly imperfect and incomplete. 

To a large extent, the problems of contemporary “civilized” societies lie in the unavailability of the substances neccesary to meet the dietary needs of the species. To this we must add the denaturalization of food that reaches us through industrial processes, which is part of the alienation of the nature which has become the rule in present globalized societies.

From "Peoples, Drugs and Serpents", Danilo Anton, Piriguazú Ediciones