This Historic Smile Hid a Psychoactive Secret for 4,000 Years

In a groundbreaking discovery, scientists have discovered chemical traces of betel nut chewing in 4,000-year-old enamel from a Bronze Age burial in Thailand — the earliest direct proof of psychoactive plant use in Southeast Asia. By analyzing hardened dental plaque, researchers uncovered compounds linked to betel nut, a stimulant that enhances alertness and euphoria. Historic […]