Nutmeg is a spice that you’ve undoubtedly tasted in cakes, soups, and even drinks. It has a unique taste that imparts a warm, sweet flavor to foods.
But did you know that consuming too much could be dangerous? In this post, we’ll look at these concealed risks and explain how consuming too much nutmeg can harm your health.
How Does Nutmeg Make You High?
Nutmeg, a popular cooking and baking spice, has a natural component known as myristicin. Myristicin is known to have hallucinogenic qualities, which means it can cause you to see and feel things that aren’t real.
When a person eats a lot of it, myristicin enters into the bloodstream. Inside the body, myristicin changes into substances similar to those in some drugs, which can cause hallucinations.
This can affect a person’s perception, mood, and thought, which is similar to the effects of some drugs like LSD (acid), psilocybin (magic mushrooms), and mescaline (found in peyote cactus).
Because nutmeg is cheap and can be found in practically every kitchen, some people may be tempted to use it to get high. Some people believe it is a safer or easier way to experience these effects than using illegal narcotics. However, taking a great deal of this to get high is not only unsafe, but also potentially dangerous.
What Are The Side Effects of Overdosing on Nutmeg?
Eating a lot of nutmeg can make you sick. Some of the bad effects include feeling very nauseous, which is when you feel like you need to throw up. This can actually lead to vomiting, which is super unpleasant. Another common problem is having a really dry mouth, which feels like you can’t get enough saliva.
You might also feel very dizzy and lightheaded, like the room is spinning. In more serious cases, it can cause seizures, which are sudden, uncontrolled movements or convulsions. In the worst situations, a person can even fall into a coma.
When is Nutmeg Safe To Eat?
Nutmeg is safe to use when you stick to small amounts, like what you would add to food. The safe amount is usually about 1/4 to 1/2 teaspoon in recipes. These small amounts won’t cause any harm, it’s just enough to enjoy the taste of nutmeg in your food without worrying about getting sick.
Bottom Line
In conclusion, while nutmeg can be deadly if consumed in large quantities due to myristicin, it is completely safe when used in modest amounts for cooking and baking. Just use 1/4 to 1/2 teaspoon in your dishes to get the velvety nutmeg flavor without any of the negative side effects.
