General · 10 September 2026
25,000 years ago, drug use started in Indonesia
Unsplash / Maria Zardoya
New research suggests humans were using mind-altering substances much earlier than previously thought, with evidence found in Indonesia. Scientists from Griffith University in Australia discovered unusual dental wear on two ancient human skeletons from Sulawesi. Dental wear was linked to sucking betel nuts, which induce mild euphoria and heightened awareness, making it the earliest evidence of drug use globally.
Reported by BBC · How we write briefs