I propose that the ancient peoples had a better sense of how to live than us. This was before "religion" as we know it - more than 10 thousand years ago. They took various natural substances, and herbs, to improve their minds and bodies. When the supplies started drying up, due to the Ice Age and other natural causes, they created stockpiles with armies to guard them. Eventually, they replaced the sacred mushrooms and other sacraments with liquor, useless rituals, and other self-destructive behaviors. Things have been going downhill for the human race ever since.

I'd suggest reading Terrence McKenna's books for further information on this topic. I also liked The Sacred Mushroom and the Cross: A Study of the Nature and Origins of Christianity within the Fertility Cults of the Ancient Near East by John Marco Allegro - his theories may not be 100% accurate, but the ideas are interesting. Some experts have disputed the importance of psychedelic mushrooms, and claim that other drugs were more prevalent. Either way, it's all very interesting.