Ancient teeth reveal Ice Age betel nut use in Indonesia

New archaeological research published in Science Advances suggests that betel nut use in the Asia-Pacific region dates back to the Ice Age, potentially making it one of the oldest known recreational drugs.

Researchers studying skeletal remains from South Sulawesi, Indonesia, identified two adult hunter-foragers with distinct, deep, rounded grooves in their teeth. One individual lived between 25,000 and 16,000 years ago, while the other lived between 7,600 and 6,300 years ago. The wear patterns, which in one case exposed the tooth's pulp chamber, suggest the individuals repeatedly held hard, spherical objects—likely Areca catechu palm seeds—between their teeth.

To test the psychoactive potential of this prehistoric method, an international team soaked the nuts in artificial saliva and applied the extract to genetically modified frog eggs. The results showed that the extract activated receptors similar to human brain cells, indicating the seeds could produce mild euphoria and heightened alertness. The study suggests that these early users may have transitioned from recreational use to chemical dependence, as evidenced by the severe dental damage.