Human consumption of mind-altering substances may have begun thousands of years earlier than previously thought. Evidence of this has been found in the remains of two prehistoric gatherers. The nuez de betel, a seed from the areca palm fruit, is considered one of the most widely consumed psychoactive substances globally. It is commonly chewed with lime, also known as calcium hydroxide, which triggers a chemical reaction that speeds up absorption into the bloodstream.

Further details about this discovery are available from the source. The nuez de betel is currently used by around one in ten people, mainly in Asia and the Pacific.

More information can be found through CNN, as reported by Ashley Strickland.