Oldest known drug use evidence found

A recent study revealed that the oldest known evidence of regular use of a plant-based substance with a nervous system effect dates back approximately 25,000 years. It was found that the inhabitants of the Indonesian island of Sulawesi would suck or bite into nutmeg to alleviate tooth pain. Analyses showed deep erosion in their teeth caused by constant friction with the nut, which contains myristicin—a compound that has a stimulating effect on the nervous system. The findings suggest that the use of psychoactive plants began before the advent of agriculture. The ancient people likely discovered that chewing the nut could relieve pain, a practice still used today in parts of South Asia and Oceania. However, it carries health risks, such as an increased chance of developing mouth cancer if inflamed.

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