BETEL NUT

This medium sized, graceful, tropical palm is also commonly called areca nut, this is not a true nut but the palm seed. The seed is separated from the outer layer of the fruit and may be used fresh, dried, boiled, baked, roasted or cured. They can be chewed in a similar way to chewing tobacco, producing a mildly euphoric and stimulating effect, and helping reduce tension. Betel nuts and betel quids are generally chewed for their psychoactive properties that help reduce tension, produce a feeling of well being and facilitate social interactions and strengthen social ties. Around 10 to 20% of the world's population chews betel nut in some form. This makes it the 4th most widely-used psychoactive substance,after nicotine, alcohol and caffeine.