In 1527, Swiss physician Paracelsus reintroduced opium as laudanum, an opium tincture in alcohol, promoting it as a versatile remedy for various ailments across Europe. His advocacy for laudanum marked a significant shift in medical practices, emphasizing the use of natural substances for treatment. Paracelsus's contributions to pharmacology and his holistic approach to medicine influenced subsequent generations of physicians and the development of modern medicine.

Paracelsus's reintroduction of opium as laudanum in European medicine in 1527 had a profound impact on literary depictions of altered states and potions. This influence can be seen in the works of Romantic poets like Coleridge and Keats, who explored themes of consciousness, ecstasy, and the sublime, reflecting the complexities of human experience and perception.