© 2026 KGOU
News and Music for Oklahoma
Play Live Radio
Next Up:
0:00
0:00
0:00 0:00
Available On Air Stations

Ancient humans used psychoactive drugs dating back to the Ice Age, study finds

A new study on ancient human remains finds evidence for the habitual use of betel nuts, dating back to the Ice Age. The finding offers some of the oldest archaeological evidence of psychoactive drug use, and potential insights into how use of betel nuts, now popular for their stimulant effects, evolved.

Copyright 2026 NPR

Pien Huang is a correspondent on the Science desk. She was NPR's first Reflect America Fellow, working with shows, desks and podcasts to bring more diverse voices to air and online.
More News
Support nonprofit, public service journalism you trust. Give now.