Earliest drug use traced to 25,000-year-old Indonesians via betel nuts
Griffith University researchers analyzing two ancient Sulawesi foragers (dated 25,000–16,000 and 7,600–6,300 years ago) found deep, rounded dental grooves caused by sucking whole betel nuts. Published in Science Advances, the study argues this may be the earliest evidence of drug use, suggesting psychoactive behavior predates farming-era alcohol and highlighting forager traditions as roots of some modern drug-taking practices.