It Must’ve Been Something I Ate

Abstract

For thousands of years in human history various potions and concoctions have been used to induce changes in mental states and to affect mood. In fact, “melancholy” comes from the Greek words melas (black) and khole (bile). Ancient Greek physicians attributed depression to a state associated with darkened bile. This was part of their theory of “humors,” relating body fluids to different mood states. Thus the terms phlegmatic, sanguine, and choleric, in addition to melancholic.