Over the centuries, England has seen a surprising parade of everyday pastimes suddenly stamped as illegal. These bans, often born from wartime needs, moral panic, or sheer bureaucratic oddity, feel almost comical to modern eyes. In this roundup we explore the ten most eyebrow‑raising activities that were once prohibited across the British Isles, illustrating how the law can sometimes chase the absurd.

10 Activities Unbelievably: The Bizarre Bans

10. Playing Football

Football, the beloved global sport, was an outright offense in the thirteenth century because King Edward II feared it diverted men from the noble art of archery—England’s premier weapon of war against Scotland. The monarch’s edict was a strategic push to keep the populace battle‑ready, making the kicking of a leather ball a punishable distraction.

Back then the game resembled a chaotic village melee rather than the organized spectacle we know today. Entire towns could field thousands of participants, each scrambling to hurl a rudimentary ball into a makeshift goal, sometimes even a church doorway, turning the pastime into a full‑scale melee of mud, shouts, and broken windows.

The ban resurfaced under Edward III in 1349, again citing the need for archery practice, especially after the Black Death had thinned the ranks of his army. Subsequent monarchs—Richard II, Henry IV, and Henry V—reiterated the prohibition, each insisting that the sport’s popularity threatened martial readiness.

Even centuries later, in the seventeenth‑century Manchester, local authorities outlawed football not for military reasons but because rambunctious matches frequently smashed windows, prompting a civic crackdown on the noisy pastime.

9. Selling Wine In Bottles

The seventeenth‑century advent of the coal furnace enabled glassblowers to craft sturdier bottles, allowing wine to be stored in glass rather than the traditional clay vessels. However, without a standardized capacity, bottles varied wildly—some holding a modest 600 ml, others swelling to 800 ml—largely depending on the glassblower’s lung power and regional practices.

This lack of uniformity created a marketplace nightmare: consumers could never be certain how much wine they were purchasing, leading to disputes and mistrust. Consequently, several nations, England included, enacted statutes banning the sale of wine in unstandardized bottles to protect buyers from being short‑changed.

Eventually, the monarchy lifted the restriction, and a de‑facto standard of 750 ml (approximately 25 oz) took hold, a volume now universally recognized across Europe, North America, and beyond.

8. Driving Alone

The early days of motorised transport were a legal free‑for‑all, but the patchwork of local rules quickly turned into a hazard. Each city, street, and even individual carriage could be subject to its own set of regulations, creating a bewildering maze that actually increased accidents rather than reducing them.

To impose order, Parliament passed the Locomotive on Highway Act of 1861, mandating that every vehicle be operated by a trio: a driver, a coal‑feeding stocker, and a “red‑flag” man who walked ahead with a lantern to warn pedestrians and other road users. This human‑controlled brake also forced the vehicle to crawl at a walking pace. Known colloquially as the Red Flag Act, the rule remained in force until 1896, when it was finally repealed.

7. Christmas

Between 1644 and 1660, Oliver Cromwell, the Lord Protector, along with Puritan MPs, outlawed Christmas throughout England and the New England colonies. They deemed the season’s revelry—carols, feasting, and merrymaking—as sinful excesses that insulted God.

Celebrating the holiday became a criminal act; even traditional dishes such as mince pies and plum pudding were forbidden. Town criers roamed the streets proclaiming “No Christmas, no Christmas!” while secret gatherings persisted underground. The ban was finally lifted in 1660 when the monarchy was restored, reinstating the festive customs we cherish today.

6. Beating Or Shaking Rugs, Carpets, And Mats In The Street

The Town Police Clauses Act of 1847 bundled a collection of oddball prohibitions, one of which made it a punishable offence—up to 14 days’ imprisonment and a £200 fine—to beat or shake any rug, carpet, or mat on a public street. The only loophole permitted shaking doormats before 8 a.m., a concession for early‑morning dust‑busting.

That same act also outlawed kite‑flying, prohibited the use of slides during rain or snow, and forbade throwing anything other than snow onto the streets. Moreover, only sand could be laid down for road‑surfacing, unless it was needed to prevent pipe freezing or to address safety concerns. Even an accidental chimney fire could land an offender in trouble under the act.

5. Not Offering ‘Royal Fish’ To The Monarch

Since a 1324 edict by King Edward II, any whale or sturgeon caught in British waters—or washed ashore—automatically becomes property of the reigning sovereign. Known as “royal fish,” these prized marine specimens must be offered to the monarch when discovered.

One notable incident involved a fisherman who landed a massive 140‑kg sturgeon, valued at over £8,000, and presented it to Queen Elizabeth II. The Queen, in a rare gesture, allowed him to keep the fish. However, a later dinner for thirty guests was abruptly cancelled when the palace claimed another sturgeon, after a missed phone call and a delayed response, demonstrating the law’s lingering bite.

4. Obstructing Your Neighbor’s Sunlight

The Prescription Act of 1832 enshrined the “right to light,” protecting any window or opening that has enjoyed twenty years of uninterrupted sunshine. Under this law, a neighbour cannot erect a building, extension, or renovation that would shade that opening, safeguarding the owner’s access to natural light.

Disputes are often resolved using the famed “45‑degree rule”: a line drawn from the centre of the affected window at a 45° angle toward the proposed structure. If the new construction crosses that line, it violates the right to light, potentially resulting in fines, demolition orders, or partial tearing down of the offending build. Though the rule has faced recent scrutiny, it remains enforceable.

3. Coffeehouses

In 1675, Charles II issued a proclamation outlawing coffeehouses, deeming them hotbeds of idle gossip and political rumor‑mongering. The decree also banned the sale of coffee, chocolate, sherbet, and tea from any establishment, aiming to curb what the crown saw as a threat to public order.

These venues had become synonymous with the term “coffeehouse politician,” a label for men who spent their days debating and scheming over a cup. Although the law was slated to take effect on 10 January 1676, it was repealed two days early—on 8 January—thanks to the intervention of ministers who themselves enjoyed coffee, saving the culture that would later fuel the Enlightenment.

2. Eating Potatoes In Court

When potatoes first arrived in Europe, they were shrouded in superstition. Critics claimed they caused everything from leprosy to impotence, and in France they were even blamed for soil depletion. In England, Sir Walter Raleigh introduced the tuber, offering it to Queen Elizabeth I, who hosted a banquet featuring the new vegetable.

Unfortunately, the kitchen staff, unfamiliar with the plant’s toxic foliage, discarded the edible tubers and boiled the poisonous leaves and stems instead. The resulting meal made everyone ill, prompting a swift ban on serving potatoes in the royal court—a prohibition that lingered until the tuber’s reputation was finally rehabilitated.

1. Owning Swans

Since a 12th‑century decree, the British monarchy claims ownership of all mute swans inhabiting its waterways, a law originally intended to prevent commoners from feasting on these regal birds. Today, the Crown no longer dines on swans, but it still protects and registers them, especially those gliding along the River Thames and its tributaries.

Each summer, a tradition called “swan upping” sees the Worshipful Companies of Dyers and Vintners, alongside the Royal Swan Uppers led by the Queen’s Swan Warden (a professor of zoology at Oxford), round up, mark, and check the health of the birds. As the royal barge passes Windsor Castle, the uppers salute the monarch, raising their oars in tribute to “Her Majesty the Queen, Seigneur of the Swans.”

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When you think of libraries, you probably picture quiet rooms, librarians, and the soothing smell of paper. Yet there exists a shadowy side to the world of books – a clandestine network of 10 illegal libraries that operate outside the law, defy authority, and keep forbidden knowledge alive. Below, we dive into each of these hidden havens, from subterranean catacombs to digital pirate archives, and reveal the daring people who guard them.

10 Paris Catacombs

Beneath the glittering streets of Paris lies a labyrinth of tunnels so ancient and extensive that they rival any underground city. These dark corridors stretch for hundreds of miles, filled with endless rows of bones, crumbling walls, and an ever‑present sense of danger that keeps most tourists at bay.

Explorers who venture here often find themselves disoriented; the passageways can collapse without warning, prompting many to don miner’s helmets for safety. The tunnels are completely powerless, forcing wanderers to rely on flashlights as they slither through cramped sections that require them to lie flat and inch forward like an inchworm.

Only a tiny fraction of the catacombs is officially open to the public. Since 1955 the rest has been declared off‑limits, yet a rebellious community of urban explorers, known as cataphiles, still slips inside, defying the ban.

These intrepid cataphiles use the forbidden space as a canvas, painting murals, sculpting installations, and even constructing false walls and secret chutes to evade the watchful eyes of the “cataflics” – the authorities who patrol the tunnels.

Deep within the maze lies a hidden chamber called La Librairie. Its hand‑carved shelves are stocked with books that can be taken by anyone who knows a trusted cataphile guide, turning the catacombs into a truly clandestine library.

9 Little Free Libraries

Across the United States, neighborhoods have sprouted tiny, whimsical book‑sharing boxes known as Little Free Libraries. Creators have fashioned them into everything from tree‑stump shelves to a full‑scale Doctor Who TARDIS, encouraging a “take one, leave one” culture.

Surprisingly, a wave of municipal crackdowns has labeled these community‑run structures as illegal detached constructions, arguing they violate local zoning codes and threaten the orderly fabric of neighborhoods.

Activists and ordinary citizens alike have rallied against these bans, pointing out that the real crime is stifling free access to books. In Kansas, a nine‑year‑old was threatened with a fine for refusing to remove his library, while cities in California and Louisiana have ordered owners to dismantle their boxes.

These confrontations highlight a broader struggle: a subset of officials seeking to regulate every facet of community life, even the simple joy of sharing literature from a little wooden box on a front porch.

Yet the spirit of these micro‑libraries persists, proving that even when the law tries to shut them down, the love of reading finds a way to stay in the public eye.

8 Secret Locker At A Catholic School

Some schools argue that certain titles must be banned to protect students from harmful ideas, such as instructions for building bombs or extremist propaganda. Yet the line between protection and censorship can become blurry.

At a private Catholic school that bans classics like The Canterbury Tales, Paradise Lost, and Animal Farm, a student known only as Nekochan decided to fight back. She started by slipping a copy of The Catcher in the Rye—one of the banned books—into her locker.

Word spread quickly, and friends began borrowing the book. The collection grew, eventually overflowing the original locker. Nekochan then commandeered a neighboring empty locker, turning it into a covert stash of 62 prohibited titles.

She reflected on her actions, saying, “I’d risk serious trouble if caught, but I think it’s right. Before my library, almost no kid read banned books. Now they actively seek out any book they can get their hands on.”

This underground locker library demonstrates how, even within strict institutions, the desire for unrestricted knowledge can spark creative, rebellious solutions.

7 Shadow Libraries

In the digital realm, a fierce battle rages over scholarly research that sits behind paywalls. Many argue that knowledge funded by public money should be freely accessible, prompting the rise of pirate‑style “shadow libraries.”

Academic journals often lock away three‑quarters of their articles, demanding steep subscription fees. This creates a global inequality where only well‑funded institutions can afford the latest research.

Enter Sci‑Hub, a website that claims to be the world’s first mass‑access portal for millions of research papers, regardless of licensing status. Its mission is simple: democratize knowledge by breaking down paywalls.

Following Sci‑Hub’s lead, other platforms such as Library Genesis have emerged, offering vast collections of academic works. These sites are run by scholars and volunteers who see themselves as participants in a worldwide think‑tank, not as copyright infringers.

While they do not host popular fiction, these shadow libraries have become essential tools for researchers worldwide, ensuring that the pursuit of knowledge remains unshackled.

6 Syria’s Secret Library

In the besieged Damascus suburb of Darayya, a community has fashioned an underground sanctuary for books, even as snipers patrol the streets above. The journey to this hidden library involves navigating bomb‑ravaged buildings and constantly watching for hostile fire.

Founder Anas Ahmad, a former civil‑engineering student, describes the trek: “We have to move through shell‑damaged structures, staying low to avoid snipers who may be watching our every step.” Volunteers brave these dangers to rescue books from collapsing buildings, gathering a collection of roughly 14,000 volumes covering a vast array of subjects.

The library serves multiple purposes. Medical volunteers use its texts to learn emergency procedures, while aspiring teachers rely on the books to prepare lessons. Even ordinary citizens turn to the shelves for personal enrichment, escaping the horrors of war through reading.

When asked why they risk their lives, Ahmad replies, “Just as the body needs food, the soul needs books.” The library has become a beacon of hope, education, and resilience amid relentless conflict.

Its existence underscores the power of literature to sustain communities, even when the world above is in ruins.

5 Seed Libraries

Across the United States, a quiet rebellion is underway as volunteers establish seed libraries, where neighbors can freely exchange heirloom and self‑pollinating seeds without any monetary transaction.

These libraries, numbering around three hundred, aim to preserve agricultural biodiversity and empower gardeners to grow crops outside the commercial seed market, which is dominated by large corporations.

However, the Department of Agriculture and state officials have begun enforcing old statutes originally designed to protect farmers by ensuring seed viability and preventing fraud. These laws, unintentionally, now threaten the very existence of seed libraries.

Critics argue that the regulations were never meant to curb non‑commercial seed sharing, yet officials cite the statutes to justify crackdowns, often under pressure from powerful agribusiness interests.

Despite legal challenges, volunteers continue to safeguard seed diversity, believing that the free exchange of plant genetics is a fundamental right, essential for food security and ecological resilience.

4 Cave Library In China

Over a millennium ago, an unknown hand sealed a massive chamber within the Gobi Desert, lining its walls three metres high with thousands of manuscripts that stretched for 152 metres. The hidden treasure lay undisturbed until a Taoist monk, Wang Yuanlu, accidentally discovered it while smoking a cigarette.

Upon noticing the smoke drifting toward a concealed wall, he knocked it down and uncovered a trove now known as the Dunhuang Library, or the Caves of the Thousand Buddhas. Scholars have since identified roughly 50,000 documents written in at least seventeen languages.

Among the most prized artifacts is the Diamond Sutra, an 868 AD printed Buddhist sermon that holds the distinction of being the world’s oldest complete dated printed book.

The caves also house a staggering collection of Buddhist art, including 2,000 vividly painted clay Buddhas and the earliest complete star chart ever discovered. Yet the library also contains unsettling texts, such as a manual detailing human sacrifice and a contract exchanging a slave girl for a silk trader’s debt.

Some of the manuscripts even delve into mysticism, like a Turkic rune divination guide that interprets omens based on discoveries such as eagle droppings versus ant‑devoured oxen. The true purpose of the sealed library remains a mystery, as its creators deliberately barred outsiders from ever entering.

3 Library Room Behind Lock And Key

Hidden behind a heavy lock inside the National Library of Australia lies a clandestine collection known as the giftschrank—a German term blending “poison” and “cabinet.” This secure room houses hundreds of prohibited works, ranging from suicide guides to textbooks containing dangerous chemical experiments.

The giftschrank originated after World War II, when Nazi literature was stored rather than destroyed. Today, the Australian library maintains the tradition of preserving all published material, even those deemed harmful or controversial.

Alison Dellit, director of Australian Collections Management, explains that the library’s mission is to retain the full spectrum of the nation’s publishing history, acknowledging that some works “shouldn’t have been published” yet still merit preservation for historical context.

Because of its sensitive nature, the exact location of the giftschrank remains undisclosed, ensuring that only a select few can access its contents, while the rest of the public continues to enjoy the library’s open collections.

This secret vault illustrates the delicate balance between safeguarding dangerous knowledge and preserving a complete cultural record for future scholars.

2 Illegal Activities Ramp Up In LA Libraries

In Los Angeles, some library branches have become unexpected hotbeds of illicit behavior, prompting a $5 million security contract with the LAPD in 2017 that deployed ten police officers and sixty‑seven guards.

Despite this investment, undercover investigations revealed a disturbing reality: drug use, theft, and even explicit sexual activity were occurring within library premises, captured by hidden cameras in places like the Goldwyn Library.

Footage showed patrons injecting heroin, smoking crystal meth and crack, and even offering ecstasy to undercover officers. Shockingly, the assigned police officers were often seen texting or sleeping, ignoring the very crimes they were hired to prevent.

One particularly egregious scene captured a crystal‑meth deal taking place directly in front of a sleeping LAPD officer, underscoring the severe lapses in oversight and the vulnerability of these public spaces.

The scandal highlights how libraries, traditionally safe havens for learning, can become compromised when security measures fail to address underlying criminal activity.

1 The Vatican Secret Archives

The Vatican’s Secret Archives have long been shrouded in mystery, spawning theories ranging from hidden alien evidence to the Pope’s private stash of scandalous material. The vault boasts an astounding 85 kilometres (52 miles) of bookshelves, fueling endless speculation.

Only a select few have ever been granted limited access, despite recent efforts by the Pope to open the archives to scholars. The collection contains correspondence between the Pope and iconic figures such as Michelangelo, Mozart, Queen Elizabeth, Abraham Lincoln, and even Adolf Hitler.

Among the documents are records of the Knights Templar trials, Galileo’s scientific confrontations, Henry VIII’s plea for a divorce to marry Anne Boleyn, and Mary, Queen of Scots’ desperate appeals for papal intervention before her execution.

While many sections have been catalogued, the Vatican acknowledges that a truly secret compartment remains entirely off‑limits—no journalists, scholars, or even high‑ranking clergy can enter.

This enigmatic portion continues to intrigue researchers and conspiracy enthusiasts alike, cementing the Vatican Secret Archives as one of the world’s most intriguing and restricted repositories of knowledge.

From subterranean catacombs to the vaulted chambers of the Vatican, the ten illegal libraries listed above illustrate humanity’s relentless drive to protect, share, and sometimes conceal knowledge. Whether motivated by rebellion, survival, or curiosity, these hidden collections remind us that books can be both weapons and lifelines, even when the law says otherwise.

While the United States slowly leans into the conversation about decriminalizing marijuana, the broader landscape of prohibited substances is also shifting. More states now permit regulated sales of cannabis for therapeutic or recreational purposes, yet federal law still classifies it as illegal to possess, distribute, grow, or transport. This evolving attitude sets the stage for our look at the top 10 illegal street drugs that surprisingly pack genuine health‑boosting properties.

Why the Top 10 Illegal Substances Deserve a Second Look

10 Cannabis

Pot, weed, marijuana, grass, bud, herb – call it whatever you like. Humanity has been drying and smoking cannabis for millennia, making it one of the oldest psycho‑active plants on record. It’s widely regarded as one of the gentlest and least risky drugs, and most adults have tried it at least once or twice. Roughly 3.8 % of the world’s population are regular users, according to global surveys.

Medical cannabis enjoys legal status in 26 U.S. states, the District of Columbia, and Guam, meaning that doctors can prescribe it for a host of conditions. The plant’s power lies in its cannabinoids, especially THC (tetrahydrocannabinol), which acts as a potent analgesic. Our bodies even generate tiny amounts of similar compounds to help modulate pain when needed.

Beyond THC, another cannabinoid called CBC (cannabichromene) has shown promise in treating epilepsy. Cannabis also demonstrates anti‑inflammatory effects, can aid multiple sclerosis sufferers, reduce muscle spasms, soothe bladder issues, and even curb chemotherapy‑induced nausea.

All told, the green herb is far more than a recreational pastime – it’s a scientifically backed therapeutic ally.

9 Cocaine

If you picture cocaine, you probably imagine a glittering 1970s disco scene, with bowls of 95 % pure Colombian powder lining the noses of wealthy playboys and their supermodel companions. Yet there’s a far less glamorized side to this stimulant that most people overlook.

Not that long ago, cocaine was celebrated worldwide as a wonder drug. It served as a laxative and a remedy for motion sickness, hay fever, and even alcoholism. Its addictive potential soon became evident, prompting the search for alternatives.

Medicine, however, never fully abandoned cocaine. Today, ENT (ear, nose, and throat) specialists still employ it in paste form as a local anesthetic during delicate surgeries, taking advantage of its powerful numbing properties.

8 MDMA

In its crystalline form, MDMA (commonly known as “Molly” or “Ecstasy”) has shown the ability to alleviate post‑traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) when administered in a controlled clinical setting. Researchers are careful not to suggest that anyone should start popping ecstasy like candy.

Within a therapeutic environment, the surge of serotonin triggered by MDMA creates a calmer, more open state of mind for patients. This heightened sense of wellbeing enables them to bond more easily with their therapists, fostering deeper, more productive sessions.

The drug’s capacity to dampen fear and stress allows individuals to revisit traumatic memories without being overwhelmed, helping clinicians get to the root of the issue without the added burden of re‑experiencing the trauma.

7 Crystal Meth

If you find yourself drifting, fidgeting, or struggling to concentrate at work, you might wonder whether you have ADHD. While a doctor could prescribe a stimulant, it’s unlikely they’ll hand you a bag of crystal meth – though the idea makes for a wild joke.

When administered in a strictly prescribed dosage, methamphetamine can balance neurotransmitters such as dopamine and norepinephrine, helping to regulate impulsivity and compulsive behaviors. In other words, under medical supervision, it can serve as a potent therapeutic tool.

We’re not urging anyone to set up a clandestine lab, but it’s worth noting that meth can aid weight‑loss efforts. The pharmaceutical form, Desoxyn, is sometimes prescribed for severe obesity, leveraging the drug’s appetite‑suppressing qualities.

6 Magic Mushrooms

Shrooms can turn a four‑hour stare at a wall into a kaleidoscopic adventure, but they also pack a surprisingly useful therapeutic punch.

The psychedelic compound psilocybin, responsible for the visual ride, has been studied by researchers at the University of Arizona who believe it can effectively treat obsessive‑compulsive disorder (OCD) in patients.

Beyond OCD, psilocybin has shown promise in relieving the excruciating pain of cluster headaches. Patients worldwide risk legal consequences to obtain mushrooms because they can dramatically lengthen the intervals between attacks, offering a lifeline to those suffering chronic pain.

5 Ketamine

Often remembered as a party drug, ketamine is also a powerful horse tranquilizer used by veterinarians. Yet, “Special K” has emerged as a fast‑acting antidepressant in modern medicine.

A Yale University study revealed that a single dose of ketamine can repair damaged neural pathways caused by chronic stress and trauma, reconnecting synapses that had withered. The antidepressant effects can appear within hours and linger for up to ten days, making it a promising option for treatment‑resistant depression.

4 Mescaline

Made famous by Hunter S. Thompson’s “Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas,” mescaline is a phenethylamine found in certain cacti, most notably peyote. It’s the primary psychedelic used by the Navajo tribe and even inspired the Doors’ frontman.

Interestingly, mescaline appears to help curb alcoholism rather than create addiction. In many Native American cultures, hallucinogens like mescaline are employed to break dependencies on other substances.

Studies, though limited, suggest that low‑dose, repeated mescaline sessions can diminish cravings for alcohol, a finding supported by the remarkably low rates of alcoholism within the Native American Church, which incorporates peyote into its rituals.

While psychedelic therapy remains controversial, the emerging evidence hints at a genuine therapeutic role for mescaline.

3 LSD

Lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD) isn’t just a ticket to a Grateful Dead concert. Controlled doses given to terminal cancer patients at Maryland’s Spring Grove State Hospital dramatically reduced death‑related anxiety. One third of participants reported feeling dramatically less tense, another third felt generally better about their fate, and the final third experienced no worsening of their diagnosis.

2 Heroin

You’ve likely seen heroin depicted as the ultimate villain in movies like “Trainspotting,” and you probably know it’s a notorious opioid. Yet, when administered as diamorphine in clinical settings, it is an exceptionally effective painkiller.

In the United Kingdom, pregnant women sometimes receive diamorphine (the medical name for heroin) to manage severe labor pain. The drug provides powerful analgesia, reduces stress, and, when used correctly, does not lead to addiction after a single, carefully monitored dose.

Because of its potency, heroin is banned in U.S. hospitals, but its medical counterpart shows that, under strict supervision, the substance can be a lifesaver for those in extreme pain.

1 GHB

Gamma‑hydroxybutyrate (GHB) earns a notorious reputation for its euphoric high and its misuse in criminal activities, including date‑rape cases. Yet, this naturally occurring psychoactive also boasts one of the most potent insomnia‑treating properties known to science.

When prescribed in a controlled environment, GHB can induce deep, restorative sleep, making it a valuable tool for patients battling chronic insomnia. Its sedative effect, while beneficial medically, has sadly been exploited by some for nefarious purposes.

Steve, a freelance writer, forgets to send his mother a birthday card but loves a good Twitter scroll. Follow him on Twitter or buy him a drink at the pub – just don’t let him miss his next GHB‑based sleep study.

Freedom of religion tends to be taken for granted in the West, despite being illusory in practice. Every government in the world intrudes on religion and, contrary to what you might expect, it’s at least as bad today as it has been in the past. It’s just more bureaucratic. This roundup of the 10 forbidden religions highlights how many faiths remain illegal worldwide.

Why These 10 Forbidden Religions Matter

10 Obeah and Myal

Sometimes religions are only banned on paper. In Jamaica, although officially illegal, Obeah and Myal (forms of Afro‑Creole witchcraft) are legally tolerated. The ban originated in the British colonial period for one pathetic reason: the practice frightened the whites, probably because it gave their slaves hope. From 1760, the year of the Tacky Rebellion (a slave uprising), Obeah and Myal were punishable by death. The law was further formalized under the Obeah Act in 1854 and for the next century Jamaicans (many hostile to Obeah) were routinely prosecuted for “rituals”.

Other colonies followed suit with laws of their own, but most have since repealed them. Only in Jamaica, where blacks have tragically internalized colonial racism, does the Obeah Act remain in place. In June 2019, when Jamaica’s Minister of Justice suggested repeal, the public were outraged. Insisting Obeah was “evil”, they forced the government to keep the racist — and purely nominal — law in place.

9 The Ukrainian Orthodox Church

The Ukrainian Orthodox Church is seen as such a threat in Ukraine that it’s subject to evictions and raids. The reason is the church’s historical ties to Moscow, which Zelenskiy’s government thinks could weaken Ukraine from within — despite only 4% of Ukrainians being members.

A spokesperson for the church disputes the government’s right to suppress them, pointing out the church’s historical adherence to Ukrainian law. Even the Pope has criticized the crackdown, and the head of the Ukrainian Catholic Church has also urged the government to back off. “We were once banned as well,” he said, “and we survived underground.” As he put it, “banning a church doesn’t mean ending its existence.” It just creates hostility.

8 Falun Gong

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y7Nz2rDKoZ8

Falun Gong (“law wheel practice”) is a qigong‑inspired meditation‑based religion emphasizing “the virtues of truth, benevolence, and forbearance.” Founded by a trumpet player in 1992, it had by the end of the decade attracted more than 70 million followers, becoming the second largest faith in the country after Buddhism. It also far exceeded the Chinese Communist Party’s membership of 63 million; hence it was banned as an “evil cult.”

There’s nothing unusual about this; all but five religions in China (Buddhism, Daoism, Islam, Catholicism, and Protestantism) are officially labeled “evil cults” or “superstitions.” But Falun Gong also became one of the “five poisons” — alongside Tibetans, Uighurs, democracy activists, and pro‑independence Taiwan. It wasn’t just its numbers that threatened the CCP; its pacifist principles also go against the government’s emphasis on “materialism, political struggle, and nationalism.” The movement had even gained traction among officials themselves, undermining the regime from within.

Nowadays, practitioners of Falun Gong are routinely “disappeared” by the state, tortured, and executed. According to reports, the corpses of Falun Gong practitioners supply many of the vital organs used by China’s medical establishment.

7 The Shouters

Christianity has a long history in China, with its earliest introduction dated to 635 CE. A little over two centuries later, its almost‑as‑long history of suppression in China began. Today, some Christian groups are grudgingly tolerated — but only if they adhere to the Three‑Self Patriotic Movement (TPSM). This propagandist affiliation, which tends to politicize sermons, was founded in the 1950s to suppress pastors and priests critical of the CCP.

The so‑called “Shouters Sect” is one that definitely does not comply. In 1983, it became the first group to be designated “counter‑revolutionary.” Then in 1995, it became the first group to be labeled an “evil cult.” In practice, however, “Shouters” is a catch‑all for undesirable Christians in general. The original “Shouters,” or “Callers” as they called themselves, earned the pejorative nickname for loudly “calling on the name of Lord Jesus” during sermons. It was only after the 1982 demonstration against the TPSM that the CCP‑compliant Christian community scapegoated them.

Raids and arrests are now common, and “Shouters” have received harsh sentences including life imprisonment and death.

6 Ahmadiyya

Originating in British‑occupied India during the 19th century, Ahmadiyya is a heretical Muslim sect — at least according to orthodoxy. Unlike most Muslims, they don’t believe Muhammad was the last of the prophets. In fact, Ahmadiyya is named for the much more recent, Punjab‑born prophet Mirza Ghulam Ahmad (1835‑1908). Outlandishly he stated the obvious: Muslim society and religion had deteriorated and were now in need of reform.

Followers have since become “one of the most relentlessly persecuted communities”, with Pakistan’s first prime minister bowing to pressure from clerics and declaring Ahmadis non‑Muslims. Even today, their non‑Muslim status excludes them from the most basic of citizens’ rights, such as voting and obtaining a passport. And of course without a passport they’re unable to travel to Mecca. Pakistan has arrested and charged numerous Ahmadis with “blasphemy”. Malaysian authorities also call Ahmadis non‑Muslim — “apostates”, in fact. Algeria, meanwhile, has been persecuting Ahmadiyya since 2016, when police raided and destroyed a newly built mosque and imprisoned the national leader.

Ironically, Ahmadiyya — like so many other religions on this list — stresses non‑violence and tolerance above all.

5 Witchcraft

Although more of a catch‑all for different traditions, witchcraft is often treated as religion. For example, in Cameroon, Tanzania, and the Central African Republic, it’s banned alongside other “folk or indigenous religions”. In the Gambia between 2008 and 2009, President Yahya Jammeh had up to 1,000 elderly citizens arrested and tortured on spurious witchcraft charges. In 2019, eSwatini (formerly Swaziland) cited its own (or rather its white colonial masters’) 1889 Witchcraft Act as justification for forbidding a planned witchcraft competition. In Papua New Guinea, people who use the services of witches face up to 10 years in prison and fines up to 10,000 PGK.

In Saudi Arabia, the police force has an Anti‑Witchcraft Unit tasked with hunting down astrologers, fortune‑tellers, sorcerers, and so on. Since there’s no legal definition of witchcraft, judges can interpret the kingdom’s religious Sharia law however they like to impose unfair punishments on the accused. An Egyptian pharmacist, for instance, was beheaded for (according to his neighbors) casting spells to break up a couple and placing Korans in the bathrooms of mosques. Often people are entrapped by the state, such as when undercover police — apparently with nothing better to do — paid a man to cast a spell. Cases also relied on confessions extracted by torture.

Meanwhile in Romania, practicing witchcraft professionally is only legal with a permit obliging witches to pay taxes on their income.

4 Christianity

Even Christianity, with its long track record of suppressing other faiths, is illegal in numerous countries. In Somalia and Comoros, it’s against the law to publicly admit to being Christian and anyone who does may be subject to harassment or death. In Mauritania, it’s even dangerous for foreign nationals to express their Christian faith. In Eritrea, only some denominations are legal.

In the Maldives, politicians win votes by keeping everyone Muslim — which they manage to do by imprisoning everyone else. Christianity is also illegal in Saudi Arabia, where Islam is all that’s permitted. Under regimes like this, as well as Iran and North Korea, Bibles are delivered by a clandestine network of underground Christian renegades.

3 Baha’i

Despite (or, let’s face it, because of) its message of peace, equality, and human unity, Baha’i is heavily restricted in its country of origin Iran. Followers are barred from higher education, national pensions, and certain jobs — for example in government, law, and, perhaps most cruelly of all, food production because they’re considered unclean. Baha’i‑owned businesses are also subject to heavy restrictions or forced to shut down. A fatwa issued by the Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei instructs citizens to avoid dealing with them entirely.

They’re also subject to unlawful arrests, arbitrary detention, and, from their fellow Iranians, brutal discrimination. Literally adding insult to injury, Baha’is are even denied the usual Iranian right of diyeh (“blood money”) restitution for the murder or harm of their relatives.

Elsewhere, life can be just as harsh if not harsher. In Brunei, the “deviant” religion is banned outright, while in Egypt, followers are denied bank accounts, property, and even their own churches and religious literature. Also, couples married in the faith aren’t recognized by the Egyptian state, which means they have no access to basic spousal rights like inheritance, divorce, and residency. On national identity cards, Baha’is are designated simply with a dash — unlike Muslims, Christians, and Jews, all of whom are recognized by the state.

2 Jehovah’s Witnesses

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GMmFBxsOD8E

At first glance, it’s puzzling why so many governments, in very different nations, are against Jehovah’s Witnesses — especially given their avowed lack of interest in politics. But China, Russia, Saudi Arabia, North Korea, Singapore, Vietnam, Morocco, the Maldives, Qatar, Uzbekistan, Comoros, and many more all ban Jehovah’s Witnesses activities. The reason is simple: for despotic regimes, Jehovah’s Witnesses’ political neutrality is a threat to national security. Never mind what Jehovah’s Witnesses themselves say in protest, or how law‑abiding they are in practice; they won’t pledge allegiance to a state — not over God anyway. This is why they were banned by the Nazis.

Russia is particularly notable for stepping up its persecution of Jehovah’s Witnesses since the Supreme Court banned the religion, calling it an “extremist organization” in 2017. 2019 saw almost 500 raids on Jehovah’s Witnesses’ homes, with Bibles, computers, phones, and other items being seized.

Often these raids are early in the morning. Calling to mind Soviet‑era purges, van loads of police officers (up to 20 personnel) will descend on a residence, pound on the door, and handcuff the owners. Forced to stand facing the wall for hours, the state’s bleary‑eyed victims will even be denied use of their own toilets while the armed thugs carry out their search. Alternatively, law enforcement spies have been known to quietly infiltrate Jehovah’s Witnesses’ homes under the pretext of repairing their internet, only to download files from computers.

1 Psychedelic Sacramental Religions

So important was the freedom of religion to the Founding Fathers that its protection was enshrined in the very First Amendment: “Congress shall make no law … prohibiting the free exercise [of religion].” In practice, however, many religious practices remain illegal — from smoking weed to polygamous marriage.

Notably, the First Amendment unofficially exempts the first Americans, the Native Americans. Because it wasn’t until 1978 that Congress passed the American Indian Religious Freedom Act (AIFRA), aimed at correcting generations of suppression of indigenous religion. However, the sacramental use of peyote — crucial to many but federally banned — remains contentious even today. Although the AIFRA was amended to allow for such use by the Native American Church, only members of federally recognized tribes are in practice granted the concession. Citizens with Native American ancestry but no registered tribal membership are still not technically permitted.

Ayahuasca churches, such as Santo Daime and UDV, have similar problems — right around the world, thanks to America’s War on Drugs. A recent attempt in the Netherlands to legalize ayahuasca for religious use was denied, leaving followers of the religion to organize illicitly — even in “enlightened” Western Europe — for fear of arrest and imprisonment.

It’s no secret that illegal business is big business, and the 10 surprisingly lucrative ventures that thrive in the shadows make for a staggering underground economy. The illicit drug market alone pulls in roughly 600 billion US dollars each year—about 70 percent of the total revenue of criminal organisations worldwide. Even more jaw‑dropping, an estimated 1.5 trillion dollars of drug‑derived cash is funneled through legitimate enterprises annually, representing roughly five percent of global gross domestic product. When you think about five percent of everything the world produces, that’s a sum you can’t simply brush off.

1 Primate Poaching

Among the most tragic and lucrative wildlife crimes is the illegal trade in great apes. Chimpanzees and orangutans are snatched for consumption, biomedical research, pet markets, and entertainment. While thousands of primates are legally imported to the United States each year for research—a practice many deem ethically dubious—an additional 3,000 apes are poached or seized in ways that skirt the law. The United States is one of the few nations where keeping a great ape as a pet is technically legal, with just over a hundred individuals housed in private homes. In Indonesia, the poaching hotspot, penalties are essentially a slap on the wrist, often resulting only in the animal’s confiscation.

According to a United Nations report, more than 22,000 apes have vanished due to poaching or poaching‑related mortality since 2005. In that span, a paltry 27 arrests were recorded across Africa and Asia, and fewer than a quarter led to convictions. This dismal enforcement record fuels a black‑market worth roughly $10 billion per year, making ape poaching a heavyweight in the illegal wildlife trade.

2 Illegal Logging

The timber industry’s shadow side—illegal logging—has become a global scourge. In the United States alone, illegal logging siphons off about $1 billion in revenue each year. In Brazil and Peru, estimates suggest that up to 80 percent of all logging activity is illicit. Worldwide, the economic damage tops $10 billion annually, not to mention the devastating environmental fallout.

Without government oversight, illegal loggers clear‑cut forests, accelerating climate change and threatening biodiversity. Studies warn that the combination of unchecked logging and global warming could wipe out entire rainforest ecosystems within a century. Shockingly, traffickers have begun to blend timber smuggling with drug trafficking, sometimes concealing cocaine within lumber shipments. Illegal logging now accounts for roughly 30 percent of the global timber market, raking in $10‑15 billion each year.

3 Organ Trafficking

The underground trade in human organs is a chilling reality that fuels a multi‑billion‑dollar industry. Kidneys dominate the illegal market because a person can survive with just one. Desperate patients may pay as little as $5,000 for a kidney, while affluent recipients often shell out $200,000 or more—roughly forty to fifty times the donor’s price.

Middle‑Eastern and Asian nations, especially the Philippines, India, and Pakistan, host bustling organ markets. China uniquely sells organs harvested from executed prisoners, with an estimated 4,500 executions per year allegedly timed to facilitate organ extraction. While some donors consent for cash, many victims are deceived, coerced, or have organs removed without their knowledge. The World Health Organization estimates around 10,000 illegal transplants annually, translating into a multi‑billion‑dollar black market.

4 Python Skin Trade

Python skins, prized for luxury handbags and designer shoes, have become a hot commodity—especially in Europe. Although California outlawed the sale of pythons and their parts in 1970, upscale boutiques still stock snakeskin accessories, either willfully ignoring the law or simply not knowing it.

Because legal sourcing is tightly regulated and python populations are dwindling, criminal operators turn to poaching to meet demand, inflating profits. The global trade in python skins generates roughly $1 billion each year, with over half of that figure stemming from illegal harvests. As the market expands, the illegal sector threatens to eclipse the legal trade entirely.

5 Human Sperm Market

In the digital age, the sale of human sperm online has exploded, creating a murky niche that sits at the intersection of fertility assistance and illicit commerce. Legitimate sperm banks enforce strict medical screening, but many internet‑based “matchmaking” services bypass these safeguards entirely.

Donors on these platforms often forgo any health testing, leaving recipients unaware of potential genetic or infectious risks. While some jurisdictions have laws governing sperm sales, these sites masquerade as social networks or dating services, making prosecution difficult. One British operation paired 800 women with donors, raking in over £250,000, illustrating the sizable profit potential despite regulatory gray zones.

10 Surprisingly Lucrative Sperm Market

6 Abalone Poaching

Abalone, the coveted sea snail known as “muttonfish” in Australia and “paua” in New Zealand, commands premium prices across Asia, Europe, and South America. While South Africa enforces strict regulations, most other regions lack robust controls, creating a fertile environment for illegal harvesting.

South Africa’s abalone industry once peaked at 615 tons in 1995 but plummeted to just 75 tons by 2008, prompting a governmental ban to prevent extinction. Illegal poaching is the primary driver of this collapse. In California and other coastal zones, black‑market abalone fetches up to $100 per shell, and violators face fines exceeding $40,000. Despite enforcement, the high profit margins keep the trade alive.

7 Bear Bile Trade

For centuries, Asian traditional medicine has prized bear gall bladder bile, believing it cures everything from eye ailments to cancer—despite scientific evidence refuting any medicinal benefit. Bears are poached en masse, and illegal “bear farms” keep animals in cramped cages, force‑feeding them and repeatedly extracting bile through invasive surgery.

Even though the product is illegal to export, bear bile remains legal in many markets, including the United States, where New York City vendors openly sell it. The global black market for bear parts is estimated at $2 billion annually, underscoring the lucrative yet horrific nature of this trade.

8 Illegal Caviar Trade

Caviar, the luxurious sturgeon egg delicacy, commands astronomical prices, making it a prime target for smugglers. Wild‑caught sturgeon populations have dwindled by 90 percent since the 1970s due to overfishing, prompting a global ban on wild caviar in the mid‑2000s.

Paradoxically, the ban spurred a booming black market, now worth roughly $750 million annually. The illegal trade threatens the survival of ancient sturgeon species, some of which have roamed Earth for 200 million years. Despite conservation efforts, demand for the prized eggs continues to drive poaching and smuggling.

9 Bootleg Alcohol

In nations where alcohol is prohibited or heavily regulated—such as Iran, Iraq, and parts of Eastern Europe—bootleg liquor thrives. Producers risk severe punishments, including lashes and imprisonment, yet the market remains robust.

Iranian authorities once forced rubbing‑alcohol manufacturers to add bitter additives to deter consumption, but illicit distillers still find ways to supply drinkers. Tragic incidents have occurred, like the 2012 Czech Republic methanol poisoning that claimed 20 lives, and a similar disaster in India that killed 102. In Virginia, USA, legal whiskey smuggling costs the state up to $20 million annually, hinting at the massive global scale of illegal spirits.

10 Human Trafficking and Black‑Market Adoptions

Human trafficking ranks just behind the drug trade in global profit, generating an estimated $32 billion each year. While the majority of the market centers on forced sexual exploitation and labor, a disturbing niche involves illegal adoptions. Unscrupulous agencies and even adoptive parents sell children—often targeting babies with desirable traits, such as the blue‑eyed, blond descendants of German immigrants in southern Brazil.

Eastern European and Chinese markets also see children being bought and sold, feeding the coffers of organized crime. Although this segment represents a fraction of the overall trafficking revenue, its profitability underscores the grim reality that even the most innocent lives become commodities in the black market.

From primates to pistols, timber to tinned sperm, the shadow economy is brimming with ventures that turn illicit activity into staggering profit. Understanding these ten surprisingly lucrative illegal trades sheds light on the scale of global corruption and the urgent need for stronger enforcement.

Have you ever felt guilty for something? You might have thought it was illegal, but it 100% wasn’t. Sometimes we feel weird about our actions, but our surroundings and beliefs could be influencing those emotions. We often use the law to measure the legality of our actions. Before you freak out, let’s learn about things that might seem illegal but actually aren’t.

Here are the top ten things that might shock you when you do them, but they are not illegal in the United States.

10 Baby Walkers Are Trouble

Baby walkers are adorable toys that are good for a child’s growth. They help infants stand upright and walk by fluttering their tiny feet on the floor. But did you know that other nations have banned them? They believe they can impair an infant’s physical and mental development. Others may see baby walkers as giving infants mobility beyond their age-appropriate abilities. But they can also prevent infants from learning essential skills like crawling, as it’s the first step to learning how to walk.

Another reason that baby walkers are potentially dangerous is that they allow children to get into hazardous situations. They could fall from the top of the stairs or wander outside. The dangers associated are what make you feel that these are illegal. Still, baby walkers are allowed in the United States, and most parents unknowingly enjoy them.

9 Don’t be Embarrassed to Window Shop

It feels weird to walk into a store, browse the products on sale, then leave without buying anything. It might sound normal to some people, but others find it unbearable. Is this illegal? Does it break any laws? Consider your freedom of choice. There are many reasons one might change their mind after entering a store, such as:

• The prices may be too high for your budget.
• The item you needed is out of stock.
• You may simply change your mind and decide you don’t need the product you came for.
• Window shopping is totally normal.

It isn’t illegal to leave any store without making a purchase. Furthermore, no law requires customers to make purchases. In fact, a common strategy for customer retention among store owners and employees is to always treat the customer with kindness and respect, regardless of their purchases—or lack thereof. So there’s no need to worry. Think of the alternative—what kind of world would it be if we were forced to spend our hard-earned money just because we entered a building?

If you feel guilty about leaving a store without a purchase, it’s not because it’s illegal—it’s because of your perception. Take your time at any store, and don’t feel obligated to buy anything for any reason.

8 Can You Pass a Police Car in Traffic?

I have always believed that police cars are allowed to go 20 mph above the speed limit at all times. With this perception, you may feel guilty each time you pass a police car with a speed below this limit. You begin to ask yourself, are you waiting to pull someone over? On many occasions, police cars are seen moving at low speeds when they patrol an area. With this in mind, you may wonder if you are breaching road safety regulations.

No need to worry. Passing a police car while both are moving under the speed limit is completely legal, though it may be a good idea not to go too fast. What could be worse, driving at a high or a low speed? If you understand road safety and regulations, driving at a low speed is the first step to protecting lives.

So, are you supposed to be scared if you find yourself in this situation? No, you’re alright, so long as you are not violating any laws or safety regulations.

7 Bringing Your Own Food to a Restaurant

It may not feel right to make yourself comfortable in other people’s restaurants when you have your food purchased from other shops. Restaurants operate on competitive terms where each one of them intends to make a profit. The main products sold in a restaurant are food and atmosphere. When you carry your food to go and occupy a space reserved for a potential client, it makes you feel like a criminal.

But it isn’t a crime and cannot be classified as illegal. We all have different tastes, and you may prefer to carry complimentary food items, such as drinks from a hotel room, into a space where you can enjoy them. Sometimes, the restaurant may not even offer food that you enjoy or options for certain dietary restrictions.

It’s also not a crime to reserve a table and bring your own food to it. What matters is that you have paid for one of the services offered. You are still doing business with the restaurant and not using its facilities for free.

6 Airport Security Is Legally Crossing the Line

Airports are tightly secured. When you’re not used to their security protocols, it can be irritating to go through them. Some of their more invasive procedures make you feel like a criminal—don’t even get me started on strip-searching. They make you stressed out that they’ll find illicit contraband you didn’t even know was there.

However, there is no way that passing through airport security is illegal. The security protocol is just a formality, as the security officers are obligated to provide safety measures. Feeling scared is normal, but not everything that scares you is illegal.

5 Surgeons are Allowed to Work Without Sleep

The importance of a good night’s sleep has everything to do with the performance of a particular task. When it comes to performing surgery, accuracy becomes more vital. Surgery puts a person’s life at stake, and the pressure is on. Professionals suggest that lack of a good night’s sleep deprives or impairs cognitive performance and motor skills.

How illegal can it be to perform surgery without a good night’s sleep? Strangely, no law in the United States demands that a surgeon has a good night’s sleep before performing surgery. Instead, the duty of care is solely on the surgeon’s shoulders.

4 Recording a Conversation

Recording someone in a conversation sounds like tampering with their privacy and the confidentiality of the information you share. Sometimes people share with you because of the trust they have in you and don’t wish to feel betrayed. You may wonder what the consequences would be if you recorded someone. Because of what we understand about the confidentiality of the information, it can feel illegal to record someone.

However, you may not worry anymore once you learn that many states recognize one-party consent, which legally allows you to record a conversation. The majority of the United States of America has one-party consent.

However, some states do not allow one-party consent:

• Florida
• California
• Delaware
• Montana
• Illinois
• New Hampshire
• Pennsylvania
• Maryland
• Massachusetts
• Washington

Recording a conversation can reduce theft and other criminal actions. It can serve as the main piece of evidence for a crime. Even though others have different views, recording a conversation has seen many people gather valid evidence used in court. If you feel you are recording a heated conversation that could threaten the lives of others, don’t hesitate to record it clearly and forward it to the authorities. It would help if you did it without any worries.

3 Buying Condoms Feels Illegal

People tend to be shy about purchasing condoms, as it feels like a perverted or criminal act. When one acts that way at the counter, the business owner or employee may find it suspicious and assume they’re criminals finding a way to steal. But the worst feeling is when you feel that publicly asking for condoms is illegal.

No law in the United States criminalizes the use of condoms. This is part of contraception recommended by experts for disease prevention and protection from unwanted pregnancies.

2 Requesting a Reasonable Accommodation

People living with a disability deserve compassion. You may feel like it’s a crime to ask your landlord or apartment manager to help you as a disabled person, but there are laws in place that obligate them to give you at least a reasonable amount of help or modifications.

It’s common for disabled people to feel guilty for reaching out and asking for help. These requests can be expensive and single you out in your community. But guilt does not mean it’s a crime—there is also no law suggesting it’s illegal to ask for help.

In the United States, you should be able to have equal use and enjoyment of your home. It’s your legal right! So if your landlord refuses to provide a reasonable modification or treats you like a criminal for asking, you might want to call a fair housing attorney.

1 Marrying Your Cousin Is Not a Crime

We’ve all likely heard of the phrase “kissing cousins.” Traditionally, it was not uncommon for cousins to marry (heck, royal families have been doing it for millennia). But you may be surprised to learn of some other noteworthy and non-royal people who have married their cousins. Charles Darwin married his first cousin, Emma Wedgewood, as did Albert Einstein when he married his second wife, Elsa Löwenthal née Einstein. Others include writers H.G. Wells and Edgar Allan Poe and actress Greta Scacchi.

Although some view it with a negative stigma, the fact is you can marry your cousin in every state in the United States. The only issue is which cousin. Many ban first- and second-cousin marriage outright. But at least 25 states go so far as to allow you to marry your first cousin, which is your aunt or uncle’s child. That being said, some states permit marriage between first cousins only under certain circumstances (as in Arizona, where the couple must be over 65 years of age) or in West Virginia, where only adopted first cousins are allowed to wed). So if this is your cup of tea, then you shouldn’t feel guilty that you are breaking the law by marrying your cousin—even if many consider the practice taboo.

If you asked people what the world’s most popular drug is, what would the most common answer be? Many people will say marijuana, or cannabis if they’re pretentious potheads. There will be some people that get closer by saying tobacco or alcohol. Probably fewer than say weed, because when most of us hear the word drug we think of illegal drugs. However, none of these are correct. The right answer: caffeine. We don’t think of drinking coffee as doing drugs, but that’s what it is. So read on to find out more about the only recreational drug that your parents will encourage you to take with that Starbucks gift card they send you at Christmas.

10. It Makes You Feel Good

The main reason that people take drugs is because they make the user feel good. Drugs can make us feel so good that they’re dangerous. Some people are willing to take them despite the side effects and risks. The lows and highs for coffee aren’t quite as extreme as heroin, but as you’ll see they do exist. Let’s start with the high.

Caffeine consumption stimulates the release of the chemical dopamine, which leads to euphoria. Other drugs that rely on dopamine include cocaine and ecstasy. Recent research has shown that caffeine also acts on the same neurotransmitters that marijuana does. So, that buzz you feel when you have your first cup of joe in the morning is caused by chemicals being released in your brain’s reward system. In addition to the rise in productivity, this is another one of the positive effects of caffeine consumption.

9. It Can Have Side Effects

Like most things in life, caffeine can have some nasty side effects, especially if consumed to excess. Most of us know that it can cause insomnia, nervousness, and anxiety. However, there are other negative possibilities as well. These are much more rare, but they do occur. In some people, caffeine may cause stomach problems, nausea, vomiting, headaches, chest pains, and increased heart rate.

There are also some people who should take extra caution. It can sometimes make anxiety disorders or bipolar disorder worse. It’s also probably good to avoid it if you are pregnant or if you are a child. It also can make certain problems worse, like glaucoma, epilepsy, and high blood pressure. If you have something like that that impacts your life, make sure you talk to your doctor, or more realistically, look it up online. Again, these effects are rare but it’s good to at least keep them in mind.

8. You Build Up a Tolerance

Has this ever happened to you? You do something fun you’ve never done before, and the first time you do it it’s incredibly intense and memorable. The next time you do it, it’s still really, really good, but maybe not quite as intense. But you still really like it, so you do it a lot. And after a while, it’s still kind of fun but it’s not the same. You enjoy it, but not as much. You just built up a tolerance.

That’s what happens when you consume a substance often. And this happens with caffeine as well as with other drugs. In one study, subjects became desensitized to the effects of caffeine in the first four days of consumption. This tolerance building is why you tend to need more over time in order to feel the same effects. The best way to keep your tolerance low is to keep your consumption levels low. And if you feel you’re drinking too much, you can always take a few days off. But, that might be hard because…

7. It Can Cause Withdrawal

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q0HaQmahq4o

When someone tries to quit taking a hard drug, let’s say heroin, there are often withdrawal symptoms. Part of the reason it’s hard to quit is because the drug makes us feel good, but another reason is because stopping feels so bad. This is the case with caffeine for many people.

Attempting to stop consuming caffeine can lead to withdrawal symptoms. Caffeine use releases adrenaline, which causes an energy boost. But this energy boost wears out eventually, and many people decide that means it’s time for more caffeine. But overconsumption can wear down your adrenal gland, making you dependent on the adrenaline boost provided by caffeine. This leads to withdrawal symptoms ranging from headache to constipation to depression. Luckily, these are usually milder than the withdrawals experienced by heroin addicts and will usually go away within a week or so. Whew!

6. You Can Overdose On It

Most things should be enjoyed in moderation, if at all. Caffeine has tons of health benefits, but too much of a good thing can turn into a bad thing. According to the Mayo Clinic, up to 400 mg of caffeine per day is safe in healthy adults. But, this amount differs based on your age, weight, and sex. Caffeine overdose usually only leads to unpleasant symptoms that go away once the caffeine is flushed out of your body. So, most of the time, it’s not that bad.

Milder symptoms include dizziness, diarrhea, and fever. But you should go to the doctor if you experience trouble breathing, vomiting, or convulsions. It’s probably best you go to the doctor after that whether you drank any caffeine or not. To avoid all this, keep your daily caffeine level below 400 mg, and even less if you aren’t used to it or are a particularly small person.

5. It Can Kill You

As we said earlier, caffeine overdose usually only leads to mildly unpleasant symptoms. Unfortunately, this isn’t always the case. In extremely rare cases, it can actually help kill you. Again, this can only happen if large amounts are consumed in a small amount of time. Back in April, a teen in South Carolina died after drinking a McDonald’s latte, a large Mountain Dew, and an energy drink in under 2 hours.

He suffered from a caffeine induced cardiac arrhythmia. Based on estimates, he may have consumed about 470 mg of caffeine, over the daily recommended limit, in under two hours. The energy drink is particularly to blame, as it contains tons of caffeine and sugar. The American Association of Pediatrics has warned against kids and teenagers consuming energy drinks, and they say no one can ensure they are safe. Soda’s not good for you by any means, but energy drinks seem to be even more dangerous.

4. It Can Increase The Chance For Hallucinations

Caffeine is not like LSD. We’re guessing you already knew that. It does not directly cause any kind of hallucination. But, a study has linked caffeine consumption to hallucinations. It doesn’t cause hallucinations, but they are correlated. Those who consume the equivalent of 3 cups of brewed coffee (315 mg caffeine) per day were more likely to hallucinate than those who didn’t.

Caffeine has been shown to increase stress. The researchers of the study say that stress is also related to hallucinations. It’s not common at all, but stress may increase the possibility of hallucinations for those who are prone to them. On the other hand, it may be the other way around. They say it may be that those prone to hallucinations may use caffeine as a coping mechanism. The jury’s still out on this one, as they say.

3. It’s a Social Drug

Sure, a lot of times people drink caffeinated drinks on their own. In fact, that’s probably the most common way to consume it. But there is also a unique social aspect to coffee drinking. The primary locations of these social occasions are coffee shops. In the coffee shop owner’s ideal world, people would come in, purchase something expensive, and then leave. But that is not how people act for the most part.

People treat coffee shops as meeting places. They spend hours there studying, chatting, working on business presentations, or “writing” (AKA wasting time online). They are unique places, like a bar but much more relaxed. You can talk to other people, but it’s not expected. And there are probably more people getting actual work done than at the nightclub. The fact that it helps improve productivity is one of the main reasons that caffeine is the world’s most accepted drug, and also one of the reasons that people choose to do their work at coffee shops.

2. It’s Expensive

Illegal drugs are expensive. Many small fortunes have been lost to cocaine and quaaludes… at least that’s what we got out of Wolf of Wall Street. Unfortunately, caffeine is an expensive habit as well, and a much more accessible one. Some desperate addicts spend $5 on coffee per day. In a single day! A coffee habit slowly but surely eats away at one’s savings, eroding the sense of security and ease that was their savings account.

So, why is coffee so expensive? First off, it’s a volatile business, so owners tend to raise prices because of risk. The crops and market tend to fluctuate a lot, which causes uncertainty. There are tons of threats to the world’s coffee supply, and a shortage could really hurt coffee shops. So, the lower the supply of coffee goes, the higher the price will be for the shops and the customers. It’s production also requires lots of different people and organizations. It’s estimated that each coffee bean is handled by 30 different pairs of hands before it ends up in your cup. Most businesses have middlemen, and coffee’s got a ton of them. Coffee is not necessary to life, no matter what you’ve heard people say. It’s a luxury item and is therefore highly priced.  

If you want to keep your costs down, stick with the simpler variations, like black coffee. Specialty drinks are bound to be much more expensive. And to make it even cheaper, make your own at home.

1. Governments Have Tried To Ban It Before

Most recreational drugs are banned. Coffee and alcohol are pretty much the only two openly and fully accepted in American society. Alcohol is legal for anyone over the age of 21, and caffeine is totally legal for everyone. 8-year-olds drink soda chock full of sugar and caffeine. There’s no longer any actual cocaine in Coke, but there’s still a lot of white powder that’s pretty bad for you.  

In addition to the health dangers of overconsumption, there are also psychoactive effects to caffeine. It is, after all, a drug. And, like pretty much all drugs, governments have tried to ban it before. Banning drugs is like a drug to some people. In the 17th century Ottoman Empire, the consumption of coffee was a capital offense. Sultan Murad IV was fully on board the anti-caffeine train, prescribing death for coffee drinkers. That’s right, death. And he didn’t stop there. He would dress up as a commoner and walk around Istanbul trying to catch people defying his law. He carried a freaking sword around with him and when he came upon anyone sipping a latte, he would chop off their heads. Ironically, despite his anti-drug rhetoric, the Sultan didn’t heed his own warning: his death was caused by alcohol poisoning.

The coffee hate wasn’t limited to one country. In England, The Women’s Petition Against Coffee argued that coffee was to blame for tons of problems, particularly regarding men. They even blamed coffee for causing impotence. They knew they had to fight back, for The Devil’s Cup had ruined their husbands. This sounds somewhat similar to the Women’s Temperance movement. And these sorts of ideas continue into the present day, in a more restrained way. Just last year, New Jersey was considering banning people from driving after drinking coffee. But, try as they might, coffee will rebound. Despite this resistance and it’s side effects, we fully expect caffeine to continue to be the world’s most popular drug.