Young people chew it seeking recognition from their peers. Working people chew it to fit in on the job or in social settings. Laborers use it for an energy boost. And many people use it just as they do cigarettes and alcohol: to relax or relieve stress.
但台灣之所以仍有 1、2 百萬人有此嗜好，有其複雜的社會結構因素──年輕人為了尋求同儕認同，出社會者為了融入工作環境或應酬社交，勞力工作者則有趕工提神的需求，另外，就像煙酒一樣，許多人習慣以檳榔來放鬆、解除壓力。