Betel Nut use traced back as far as 25 thousand years - ABC News & Headlines – Australian Broadcasting Corporation

A recent study suggests Betel Nut us has been around much longer than the previously thought ten thousand years.

Betel nut chewing has had a long and deep history in the Asia pacific region, no more so than in Papua New Guinea.

Locally known as Buai, it's become deeply ingrained into the culture of the country.

An addictive drug that gives mild euphoria, it is now the world's fourth most widely consumed psycho-active substance after alcohol, caffeine and nicotine.

Associate Professor Carney Matheson says evidence of older Betel Nut use was found in the teeth of ancient skeletons from South Sulawesi in Indonesia.

"We didn't think we'd get this far back," he said. "But because of the wear patterns and because of the residues on the teeth, we were able to get it back to two individuals, one dated to 25,000 years and one dated to just over 7,000 years."

An addictive drug that gives mild euphoria, it is now the world's fourth most widely consumed psycho-active substance after alcohol, caffeine and nicotine.(AFP: Scott Radway)