Ancient skeletons reveal betel nut use in Indonesia dates back 25000 years
New research indicates people on the Indonesian island of Sulawesi chewed betel nut as long as 25,000 years ago.
Archaeologists found evidence in ancient bones
Australian researchers examined two old skeletons that showed deep grooves on their teeth. They believed these marks resulted from repeatedly sucking on whole nuts. Chemical tests later confirmed the presence of arecoline inside those seeds.
The habit spread to China quickly
The nut arrived in China roughly 2,000 years ago and gained popularity fast. It served as a stimulant for commoners and a tribute for emperors. Today it remains one of the most widely consumed psychoactive substances globally.
Users consume it with lime powder
Modern preparations combine the nut with slaked lime and other ingredients. This mixture ranks among the top psychoactive substances after caffeine, alcohol and nicotine. About 600 million people use this substance across many regions.
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