How Victorians Got High: Opium Dens, Cocaine & More

Get early episodes & ad-free audio on Patreon: https://patreon.com/DrowsyHistorian Step into the gaslit world of Victorian Britain, where public morality stood tall in the daylight, but private indulgence flourished behind drawn curtains. In this slow, immersive journey, we explore the many intoxicants of the 19th century — from genteel tea rituals to discreet opium dens, from fashionable laudanum tinctures to the laughter-filled haze of university ether parties. This is not a story of rebellion, but of quiet self-maintenance, where a society obsessed with propriety found ways to take the edge off without ever admitting it. Pour yourself a cup (of something stronger, if you like) and join us for a wry, detailed portrait of an age that preferred its vices decanted, dosed, and always served with a straight face. 🛏️ Drowsy Historian’s Favorite Sleep Tools Looking to upgrade your nighttime routine? These are a few things I personally use or recommend: • Sleep Earbuds for Enhanced Immersion → https://amzn.to/4pVFoJy • Blanket Soft Enough to Make the Plague Feel Tolerable → https://amzn.to/3GSOq8f • Weighted Blanket for Pretending You’re a Mummified Pharaoh → https://amzn.to/4kVJCgE • Sleep Mask Headphones For Total Historical Escape → https://amzn.to/4nWsNVn • Book Light for Reading About Plagues at 2AM → https://amzn.to/4eSg0iu • White Noise Machine for Blocking Out the 21st Century → https://amzn.to/3GJ9jTw These are affiliate links. I may earn a small commission if you purchase through them—at no extra cost to you. Thanks for supporting the show while staying cozy. #VictorianHistory #Laudanum #HistoricalStorytelling #DrowsyHistorian #HistoryForSleep #OpiumDens #TeaCulture #EtherParties #VictorianLondon #HistoryChannel