Earliest Evidence of Drug Use Found in 25,000-Year-Old Indonesian Remains

Research indicates that foraging communities in Indonesia may have been utilizing mind-altering substances as far back as 25,000 years ago, representing what could be the earliest known evidence of human drug consumption.

Scientists examined two exceptionally rare skeletons recovered from the Indonesian island of Sulawesi. The study found significant tooth wear on the remains, along with chemical traces of a psychoactive compound within the teeth of the individuals. These findings suggest that the ancient foragers routinely sucked on hard, abrasive betel nuts to release their intoxicating effects.