Man tries out 'world's most addictive' substance to see what will happen

A tourist who tried the "world's most addictive" substance on his travels may live to regret the moment after documenting his adventure in the on .

Nolan Saumure (@nolansaumure) travels the globe and regularly provides updates to his 213,000 followers from some of the most deprived on the planet. His latest stop off in southeast Asia saw him sample 'moma' - more commonly known as 'paan' which is taken from the areca nut - or betel nut - the fruit of the areca palm.

Approaching a small Filipino store, Nolan asked: "Do you guys sell moma?" Indeed they did, prompting him to explain: "Chewing betel in parts of Asia is more common than smoking cigarettes and some places its common to walk down the street where everyone is chewing it and staining the ground with their spit."

Nolan was then seen handpicking a sealed bag of moma from a rail in the store before asking a young female member of staff if he could purchase it. An adult male soon made his way over to advise Nolan on how to consume it. "Inside of here is the betel - remove the outer seed and roll it up," he said, showing Nolan a leaf.

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Intrigued by the bag's additional contents, Nolan asked: "What does this white powder do?" Told its lime, Nolan informed his followers: "The lime he's referring to is actually grounded up limestone made to cut up your mouth giving your bloodstream easy access to the substance."

"Pretty bad," Nolan declared after chewing a sample and returning the rest to the shopkeeper. "You've really got to start chewing it and working it in," he told his female pal afterwards, who could be seen spitting it out by the roadside.

"I at least tried to keep it in for a little bit," Nolan closed. "I get it. I'm already hooked," he added concerningly. According to a study by (NIH) areca nut is a highly addictive substance with carcinogenic properties and causes many harmful effects to the human body.

Research added: "Areca nut users report increased sense of wellbeing and stamina, euphoria, a soothing effect in the digestion, and protection of the mouth and gums. In addition, areca nut chewing claimed to produce warm sensations of the body, sweating, salivation, palpitation and heightened alertness, and tolerance to hunger. All these neurological effects suggest that chemicals in areca nut affect autonomic nervous system, at various levels."

And with regards to the lime content, NIH stated: "Having slaked lime during betel chewing increases the pH of the oral cavity significantly, causing inflammation, and promotes oxidation of polyphenols in betel quid. Hence, reactive oxygen compounds which can promote carcinogenesis will be produced."

Responding to Nolan's clip, meanwhile, one TikTok user highlighted the dangers following a similar experience. "Had it when I was in ," they said. "The minute I was done I wanted another immediately. It was a wild feeling. Very locked in."

A second warned: "Insanely dangerous." Whilst a third added: "They have this at my local Asian market, all he would say when I asked what it was it that it’s really addictive."