Vin Mariani, introduced in 1863, was a tonic that garnered widespread popularity as both a wine and a cure-all remedy for a wide range of ailments. The product became a sensation, receiving endorsements from famous personalities of the time, such as the Pope and Thomas Edison. The immense success of Vin Mariani even served as an inspiration for the invention of Coca Cola.
The secret behind Vin Mariani’s appeal and success lay in one of its key ingredients: cocaine. The tonic contained approximately 6 mg of cocaine per fluid ounce of wine, which provided users with a stimulating and euphoric effect. At the time, the negative consequences and addictive nature of cocaine were not fully understood, and it was considered a useful ingredient in various medicinal products.
As the harmful effects of cocaine became more widely recognized, attitudes towards products like Vin Mariani shifted, and the use of cocaine in medicinal tonics and beverages eventually became regulated and prohibited. Today, Vin Mariani serves as a fascinating example of how cultural attitudes and medical understanding can dramatically change over time, shaping the way we view and use certain substances in our everyday lives.
It sometimes makes me wonder if such things should be illegal. I could go for som Vin Mariani right now.
and yet people complained about absinthe
Cocaine is a somewhat versatile drug that can be used in a number of ways other than snorting it. Nowadays you are almost guaranteed to find other bad stuff mixed in with it as well. Since they were not as sedentary as we are today, I wonder if people back then simply had stronger hearts and vascular systems. I’m saying that if we exercise more, maybe cocaine would be okay as a treat.
Legalize medical cocaine!