Nutmeg

Nutmeg is the seed or ground spice derived from the fruit of the Myristica fragrans tree. It is widely used as a flavoring agent in foods and beverages. In higher doses, nutmeg has been used for its psychoactive properties due to compounds such as myristicin and elemicin. Myristicin acts as a monoamine oxidase inhibitor and can cause anticholinergic-like hallucinogenic effects when consumed in large amounts. These effects include delirium, hallucinations, euphoria, disorientation to time and surroundings, dissociation, tachycardia or hypertension; toxicity may also result in nausea and convulsions[1][2][5][8]. Nutmeg has no proven medicinal value but has been used historically for gastrointestinal complaints and as an abortifacient[1][2]. There are no established therapeutic indications or clinical trials supporting its use for any disease.

Other names

nutmegMyristica fragransmacemagicmuscdiernux moschatamyristica oilmuskatbaum