With teeth like a meth head?
Occasional ceremonial use as a prelude to love-making won't produce such ravaging of teeth and gums. In the misty past it was used just prior to religious ceremonies to increase devotional fervor and for important meetings concerning marriage and other matters, where sweetness of breath and manners were desired. The tremendous amount of chlorophyll and alkaloids unleashed by the chewing of the betel leaf with the areca nut, slaked lime and spices produces a mild euphoria. The breath resembles the scent of a fresh green forest.
Non-addicts will follow the chewing of "quid" with fresh green tea and not continue, but procede to the next activity, be it love-making, plans for the future, pleasant conversation, and not partake further.
However, the addicts are a totally different type of user. They buy their supply in the morning and start chewing and spitting out excess juices and holding the areca and betel fibers incessantly between the gums. The substance remains in their mouth the entire day, constantly refreshing it with a new betel nuts and leaves.
Mostly those engaged in such habitual action are men performing extremely strenuous labor under the hot sun and jungle environments. It is a mild constant euphoric phenomenon that allows one to exert energy under extreme heat, while maintaining focus and energy and good humor and comradery amongst the work gang.
But, such habitual use which is quite different from ceremonial use, is an absolute abomination and destroys the teeth and gums eventually and often leads to gum and throat cancer.
Evening ladies partake more in the mild ceremonial use non-habitually because feminine charm and a brilliant smile are always attributes most important to femininity.
Betel leaf with the areca nut has it roots in asian cultures for many thousands of years and was ascribed health benefits when used with caution and moderation.
In some asian communities outside of busy cities, scantily dressed women at betel nut stands along the roadways sell betel nuts to men in passing cars. It is a very quick exchange with no sexual contact. Rather, just eye-candy and a quick flirt but it is enticing and stimulating. And, it should be known that the scantily dressed ladies with perfect asian physiques engage very little in the chewing of "quid" as it is known as.
It should also be known that the composition ingredients from the many vendors is often quite different. And, from country to country the composition varies so vastly. India's version is quite different from Vietnam.
I am not a habitual user. In fact, the last time that I had a chew was about 6 months ago. Although it is quite tempting. And, some vendors spike it with "unknown" so one must be very cautious who one buys from. It is always quite interesting watching its preparation with a simple sharp knife and raw nuts and leaves fresh from the jungle farms, and a thin slake of calcium chloride spread across the leaves and then rolled and tied.
Further, it is a completely legal activity, in full display and a part of ancient culture that has been carried over from a time long ago. The younger generations partake less and less, in favor of faster-acting and more stimulating alcohol and drugs in pill form. Betel nut is more "your grandfather's stimulant." Some young people in busy cities of Asia almost know nothing about the betel nut cuture that in reality is an addiction not far behind alcohol, nicotine and caffeine. But, betel nut chewig is a fading culture.