# What Were the Lotus-Eaters Eating in Homer’s ‘Odyssey’? The mystery of the plant that made Odysseus' men forget their homes. - **Source:** [NYT > Science](https://brifing.si/source/794f9fbd-c10f-44d6-932d-9039af67922c) - **Published:** 2026-07-22 - **Topic:** [Business](https://brifing.si/c/business) - **Original article:** - **On Brifing:** https://brifing.si/s/afefeb52-5295-40b8-8fa9-87f3f75c8da0 ## Introduction In Homer's Odyssey, Odysseus' men lose their desire to return home after eating the lotus plant. This plant plunges them into a deep state of forgetfulness and lethargy. But what real plant could have such a powerful effect? ## Effects of the Lotus Plant The lotus plant is depicted as having narcotic properties that calm consumers and temporarily affect their memory. These effects align with the known properties of some plants from ancient times. Mythological narratives emphasize how this plant distanced people from reality. ## Historical Context In ancient Greece, there are various theories about what the lotus plant might have been. Some researchers suggest it was a type of plant with opium-like properties. Others argue that the lotus was symbolic and not a real plant. ## Botanical Candidates Proposed candidates for the lotus plant include the blue lotus (Nymphaea caerulea) and other aquatic plants. Some of these plants were used in ancient rituals and contained chemicals that could cause hallucinations, fitting the mythological description. ## Modern Interpretations Today, the effects of the lotus plant are being explained through psychoactive substances. Some scientists believe that its ancient use was aimed at altering states of consciousness. This sheds light on the reality behind mythological stories. ## Conclusion The lotus plant, as depicted in the Odyssey, offers important clues about human psychology and ancient medicine. This mythological element continues to be a subject of great curiosity, both historically and botanically. The question of which real plant it was still occupies researchers. ## Sources covering this story - https://www.nytimes.com/2026/07/22/science/odyssey-lotus-eaters-opium.html — --- _Summary written by Brifing from the original reporting. Copyright in the original article belongs to its publisher; read the full piece at the link above._