From adding a number of ardent pleasantness to parched goodness to spicing up meats , sausages or sauce , nutmeg can be found in many kitchen cupboard across the world . But this household spice has a lesser - known effect if consumed in gamey quantity – it can be a dangerous psychedelic drug .
For centuries , nutmeg was extremely prized throughout Europe and the Middle East . It was not only attempt for its tang , but also for the range of aesculapian properties it was thought to have . This need alone made it expensive , but its monetary value was even high because of how difficult it was to prevail . Until the19thcentury , the trees that produce the spicery , theMyristica fragranstree , only produce in one place – the Maluka Islands of Indonesia .
Today , the spice can be found in most local supermarkets and few of us have rationality to think about its longer history . However , it also has another belongings that we rarely moot , but the 2020 TikTok drift , the “ # nutmegchallenge ” , bring it to pop aid .
High on nutmeg?
Nutmeg hold in a chemical compound calledmyristicin , which also naturally come about in other spices and plant such as Petroselinum crispum and dill , but it is most abundant in nutmeg seeds .
In the wild , the chemical compound serves as a natural insect powder and acaricide ( something toxic to mites and tick ) , but in the human body , it canactin a exchangeable elbow room tomescaline . That is because it breaks down into compound that impact the cardinal nervous organization by enhancing the neurotransmitter noradrenaline , a hormone that increases our heart pace and blood pressure .
If consumed in high-pitched enough quantity , this course of nutmeg tipsiness can produce hallucinations , nausea , confusion , and dizziness . It can also lead to much more serious complications .
Myristicin intoxication
To be well-defined , this is not a new discovery . mass have been aware of the toxic effects of nutmeg since the16thcentury , but it is not something that is commonly talked about . Once upon a time , so the news report go , reformer would consume nutmeg seeds in an seek to get high while they traveled long distance – it was meant to overcome the boredom of tenacious MArch and the accompany foot pain . It is even likely that nutmeg tree was responsible for the less than true prediction made byNostradamusin the 16thcentury .
It is also deserving stressing that you need to take quite a fleck to feel these issue – the common amount found in your solid food will not do it .
Generally speak , you need to consume around5 grams ( 0.18 oz. ) of nutmeg(around two teaspoonful ) before the psychoactive impact kick in . But plain in they shall and it would be a fault to essay it .
first of all , myristicin intoxication do with a reasonably powerful hangover which will leave you finger pretty rotten for two or so days , but it can also cause seizures and pump vibration . alas , the chemical compound can also cause comas and even last ( especially if used in combination with other drugs ) .
The only difference between consuming it , fume it , or inhaling it is the amphetamine at which the psychotropic result manifest . Though ingestion is the obtuse way , which makes it slightly less grave than the alternatives .
So it may seem like a cheap and easy way to get a quick high , but it is clear that the likely endangerment associated with nutmeg intoxication far outweigh the psychoactive burden it may produce . There are far prosperous and safer shipway to get boot – leave the nutmeg for the cake and blimp .
The content of this clause is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice , diagnosis , or discourse . Always seek the advice of dependant wellness providers with questions you may have regarding medical stipulation .
All “ explainer ” articles are confirmed byfact checkersto be correct at meter of publishing . Text , images , and links may be edit , removed , or added to at a late escort to keep selective information current
