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Posted on 08/08/2025 10:30:09 AM PDT by SunkenCiv
In a groundbreaking discovery, scientists have found chemical traces of betel nut chewing in 4,000-year-old teeth from a Bronze Age burial in Thailand -- the earliest direct evidence of psychoactive plant use in Southeast Asia.
By analyzing hardened dental plaque, researchers uncovered compounds linked to betel nut, a stimulant that boosts alertness and euphoria...
One common side effect of regular chewing is teeth stained a deep reddish-brown or black.
However, the absence of these stains does not necessarily mean the habit was avoided. A recent investigation by an international team used a cutting-edge technique to study ancient dental plaque from Bronze Age Thailand, uncovering chemical traces that confirm betel nut chewing...
At Nong Ratchawat, an archaeological site in central Thailand that dates back to the Bronze Age, 156 human burials have been unearthed since 2003. For the present study, the team collected 36 dental calculus samples from six individuals...
The results showed that three of the archaeological samples – all stemming from a molar of the same individual, Burial 11 – contained traces of arecoline and arecaidine. These organic compounds, found in betel nuts but also plants like coffee, tea, and tobacco, have pronounced physiological effects on humans. This suggests that betel nuts were chewed as early as 4,000 years ago in Thailand.
(Excerpt) Read more at scitechdaily.com ...
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Red liquid produced after chewing betel quid.Credit: Piyawit Moonkham
DOI: 10.3389/fearc.2025.1622935
Thanks for the link, although I think I got a contact buzz from reading it, and also need to brush my teeth.
I’d quibble on psychoactive being the accurate term for betel nut chewing.
Betel Juice!...Betel Juice!...Betel Juice!.....................
Stoner! Oh, sorry. 😉
Stoner?
I never chewed betel nut so I don’t have first hand experience, but it’s more like a nicotine or caffeine. Kind of a mild stimulant. Popular among truck drivers to keep alert. No psychoactive properties.
What does betel nut chewing do for you? I know it is popular in that part of the world.
Like smoking or drinking coffee.
I’m sure most betel nut chewers smoke too.
It doesn’t make them trip or get high.
It’s basically a mild buzz that corrodes your teeth into nubs due to the lime admixture.
An absolutely filthy third-world habit.
And turns them red.
I remember seeing what looked like pools of blood on the sidewalk or street, but it was spit from betel nut chewers.
It’s not so different than chaw.
A lot of the locals on Guam chew the stuff.
I think it cures the mange.
It seems to be a Pacific island thing.
Your pointing out the lime admixture part is key.
Dude, can ya’ score me some?
Interesting question.
Is there a market for it in the US?
I never heard of it being sold or used here.
But then again, I never looked.
Just kidding you know? I’ve had all the ‘substances’ in life I’ll ever need.
.......... “Stoner?”
LMAO
Looks like a California driver somebody has to keep the crash quota up.
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