Sulawesi remains suggest psychoactive drug use 25,000 years ago

Archaeological research published in Science Advances suggests that humans began using psychoactive substances as early as 25,000 years ago. Analysis of skeletal remains from two hunter-gatherers on the Indonesian island of Sulawesi reveals evidence of long-term betel nut consumption.

Researchers identified deep, rounded grooves in the teeth of individuals dating from the late Pleistocene and mid-Holocene periods. Chemical analysis confirmed the presence of arecoline, the primary neuroactive compound in betel nuts. Lead author Adam Brumm of Griffith University suggests that prehistoric foragers may have sucked on whole betel nuts to alleviate tooth pain, as the substance has analgesic properties.

However, this practice likely created a ‘vicious cycle.’ The constant suction of hard seeds caused severe dental wear, exposing the pulp chambers and leading to increased chronic infections and pain, which in turn may have driven further dependency on the stimulant.