Nutmeg
Nutmeg is known as well known ingredient in eggnog and your favorite holiday desserts. But everyone’s favorite winter spice has made headlines as it arises as very dangerous drug. It is an unorthodox way of getting high- it’s nutmeg high. Nutmeg contains myristicin, which is a natural compound that has mind-altering effects if one consumes a large amount. The nutmeg buzz can last one to two days and the consumer can witness hallucinations, a lot like LSD.
According to reports this week from the ABC affiliate WPLG in Miami, the Florida Poison Information Center at Jackson Memorial Hospital has recently seen a small spike in phone calls reporting people who snorted, smoked or ate the spice.
‘“It’s the flavor of the month,” said Dr. Jeffrey Bernstein, medical director at the center. “But most people only try it once because they have such nasty side effects. The rewards are not worth the risks.”
As one could tell, nutmeg is breaking out and it’s not a good sign. Nutmeg outbreaks continue to increase as it becomes more known. Nutmeg is not yet an epidemic though. A total of 32 cases over a 10 year period were recorded. Some of these cases were accidental, or the victim didn’t know they were getting drugged. 15 out of those 32 cases were intentional and the consumer knew what they were getting in to. Young adults have always found ways to get into trouble and it turns out that people between the ages of 15 and 20 were responsible for the consumption of nutmeg.
There are no confirmed deaths from nutmeg ingestion, but large doses of nutmeg can be detrimental to the liver, central nervous system, and hearing. Don’t worry — the amount of nutmeg in your desserts isn’t nearly enough to cause a high, but it is important to take precautions and keep this holiday spice away from children.
Although the outbreaks of the nutmeg drug are not significant, they are still in existence. People need to be aware of these outbreaks so that they can help solve the problem. Nutmeg may seem harmless in your egg nog but when in the wrong hands nutmeg can be fatal “ Another study found 119 cases between 1997 and 2008, more that 70 percent of which were deliberately ingested (David W. Niesel).” 80 percent of those people intentionally ingested nutmeg, not yet knowing what they were getting themselves into.
Is Nutmeg a Dangerous Drug? Nutmeg is no doubt, a dangerous drug. Nutmeg is a very concentrated spice and has a very strong flavor when consumed raw. 2 spoonfuls of nutmeg is enough to cause uncontrollable movements of the body (convulsions) and possibly death. Since the introduction of nutmeg, it has been used as a drug in almost every way possible. People have been known to snort, smoke, and even eat it raw. Nutmeg is known to create hallucinations and leave the victim paranoid.
Nutmeg has dated all the way back to the 12th-century in Europe. Prisoner and Peasants used it as a way out of pain and suffering. The would use nutmeg to get out of prison and abort unwanted babies. It sounds cruel, but this is what life came to at times. The Europeans knew what they were getting into if they the drug but insisted that the end result would be better.
What is Nutmeg?
We’ve talk a lot about the drug, but what really is nutmeg? To go into more depth, Nutmeg itself is a seed pulled from the branches of the evergreen Myristica fragrans tree. The tree is native to Indonesia’s Spice Islands. The outside of the seed, or the tissue surrounding the seed, is what’s used to make the equally powerful spice, which is commonly found in eye-searing pepper spray. After a person has obtained the seed they can break it down to concentrate it. After one has concentrated the spice, it could be used in a kitchen or as a lethal drug. Nutmeg is very dangerous and the side affects can be devastating. It can cause hallucinations for up to 12 hours leaving the consumer paranoid and lost. Turns out, thats the upside of the many side affects. Difficulty urinating, dry mouth, and panic are other side affects that nutmeg can leave you with. The psychological part of the side affects are the worst part. If the consumer ingests too much nutmeg it can lead to days of hallucinations or death.
Miscellanies Information
Since nutmeg is so dangerous, medical professionals have announced that nutmeg is “not recommended.” Nutmeg is a very cheap and easy drug to get a hold of. As more teens become aware of the cheap drug, they begin to look for ways to catch a cheap high. Nutmegs side affects consist of:
- Feelings of agitation and irritation
- Chest pains
- Extreme coldness
- Deliriousness and delirium
- Difficulty breathing
- Feelings of fear, including fear of dying
- Increased body temperature
- Rapid pulse
- A feeling of restlessness2
- Out-of-body sensations
- Nausea, dizziness
- Extreme dry mouth
- An extended slowing of normal brain function
Citations:
(Foxx, Richard. “A Nutmeg High? Side Effects of Getting High on Nutmeg.” Doctors Health Press — Daily Free Health Articles and Natural Health Advice, Doctors Health Press — Daily Free Health Articles and Natural Health Advice, 23 Feb. 2016.)
(Britannica, The Editors of Encyclopaedia. “Nutmeg.” Encyclopædia Britannica, Encyclopædia Britannica, Inc., 6 Dec. 2017.)
(By: MIKAELA CONLEY Dec. 9, 2010— — Dec 8, 2010 4:37 PM ET)
(“A Warning on Nutmeg” BY DEBORAH BLUM NOVEMBER 25, 2014 3:33 PM)
(Nutmeg High By David W. Niesel, PhD, Contributor Chief Research Officer, Sr. Vice President and Dean — UTMB 05/09/2016 02:31pm ET | Updated December 8, 2016)
(Can Two Teaspoons Of Nutmeg Really Kill You? by MADISON FLAGER AUG 6, 2017)
(By Yasmin Tayag on December 14, 2016 How to Get High on the Nutmeg You Bought For Eggnog)
