Yesterday’s post of the packet of Gutkha caused some surprise.
It’s a big public health problem in India. The little packets contain tobacco, betel (another addictive stimulant), and various spice and sweet flavors. Kids love them, and they’re very cheap and more socially acceptable than smoking.
I was amazed to find them at the checkout counter in an Indian grocery in California; I can’t believe they’re legal at all here, much less up front with the candy instead of behind the counter like cigarettes.
Pan masala is betel with lime and other flavors. It gives a high similar to ephedra in small doses. Gutkha is the same thing with tobacco in it. They’re being banned in various states in India.
Reference urls:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/health/289976.stm
http://www.goldenagro.com/panmasala.html
http://www.erowid.org/plants/betel/betel.shtml
http://msram.livejournal.com/2002/07/26/
Be My Blog 
BTW
That’s not lime the flavor, that’s lime the caustic powder. It’s commonly used with the betel nut to help break it down faster.
So not only do you have addictive stimulant + addictive stimulant, you’ve also got tooth-killer + tooth-killer. JOY!
I told you I had the insane friend in Santa Cruz that had taken up betelnut chewing, didn’t I?
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Betel nut
Bloooooooody Mary’s chewin’ / beeeeeetel nut / [clap-clap-clap-clap]
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Interesting
I knew a little bit about this, but not nearly enough. Thanking you muchly, sir.
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