The Economic Times

Humans used betel nuts as drugs 25,000 years ago: Ancient teeth reveal the surprising psychoactive habit that began around the Ice Age

Ancient teeth from Sulawesi show betel nut use 25,000 years ago. This habit predates early farming and represents habitual drug use. Researchers found chemical traces and unusual tooth wear patterns. Betel nut use may have begun to relieve tooth pain and discomfort. This discovery pushes back the known history of psychoactive substance consumption.