Scientists Discover the Earliest Evidence of Drug Use in Really Old Teeth

NYT Science Wednesday 09 September 2026, 18:00 UTC By Becky Ferreira 1 min read

Key Points

A hunter-gatherer who lived in Indonesia as early as 25,000 years ago may have regularly sucked on betel nuts to release their psychoactive properties.

Indonesia (LOCATION)

Originally published by NYT Science Read original →

Traces of betel nut in 25,000-year-old teeth is earliest-known evidence of human drug use In short: Archaeologists have found evidence of a person who used a psychoactive drug up to 25,000 years ago. Tooth fossils in Indonesia suggest that ancient foragers in the region were sucking on betel nut, possibly as a painkiller. Human drug use is probably older than this sample, but evidence is harder to come by.

ABC Australia 47m ago

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 takingWhat 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...

The Guardian UK 48m ago

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

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Scientists Discover the Earliest Evidence of Drug Use in Really Old Teeth

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