Science

Indonesian foragers may have sucked on mind-altering nuts 25,000 years ago, research finds

The Guardian Science · 9 September 2026 at 19:00

Indonesian foragers may have sucked on mind-altering nuts 25,000 years ago, research finds

Analysis of two skeletons reveals tooth wear and traces of psychoactive substance in what may be earliest known evidence for human drug taking What may be the earliest known evidence for human drug taking has been traced to ancient Indonesian foragers who sucked on mind-altering nuts as long as 25,000 years ago.

Analysis of two exceptionally rare skeletons from the Indonesian island of Sulawesi revealed dramatic tooth wear and traces of a psychoactive substance in the individuals’ remaining teeth, suggesting they routinely sucked on hard, abrasive betel nuts.

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Indonesian foragers may have sucked on mind-altering nuts 25,000 years ago, research finds

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