The ancient Indonesian foragers may have the earliest known evidence for human drug use, having engaged with psychoactive betel nuts around 25,000 years ago. Skeleton analysis from Sulawesi revealed significant tooth wear and traces of arecoline, a psychoactive substance found in betel nuts, indicating a habitual practice of sucking on these nuts.
Betel nuts, often consumed wrapped in betel vine leaves, are the fourth most widely used psychoactive substance globally. The findings suggest that this common habit has deep historical roots, possibly stemming from early attempts to manage dental pain despite resulting in worse dental health over time. This research showcases both the antiquity of human drug use and the long-standing tradition of consuming betel nuts.
