Editing Nutmeg (section)

== Psychoactivity and toxicity ==
Although used as a [[Traditional medicine|folk treatment]] for some ailments, nutmeg has no proven medicinal value.<ref name=drugs/>

=== Effects ===
Ingested in small amounts as a spice, nutmeg produces no noticeable physiological or neurological response, but in large doses, both raw nutmeg freshly ground from kernels and [[nutmeg oil]] have [[psychoactive]] effects.<ref name=drugs/><ref name = locost/><ref name="jmt">{{cite journal|pmc=4057546|year=2014|last1=Ehrenpreis|first1=J. E.|title=Nutmeg Poisonings: A Retrospective Review of 10&nbsp;Years Experience from the Illinois Poison Center, 2001–2011|journal=Journal of Medical Toxicology|volume=10|issue=2|pages=148–151|last2=Deslauriers|first2=C|last3=Lank|first3=P|last4=Armstrong|first4=P. K.|last5=Leikin|first5=J. B.|doi=10.1007/s13181-013-0379-7|pmid=24452991}}</ref> Such effects appear to derive from [[anticholinergic]]-like [[hallucinogen]]ic mechanisms attributed to [[myristicin]] and [[elemicin]].<ref name=jmt/><ref>{{Cite journal 
| last1   = McKenna | first1 = A. 
| last2   = Nordt   | first2 = S. P. 
| last3   = Ryan    | first3 = J. 
| title   = Acute Nutmeg Poisoning 
| journal = European Journal of Emergency Medicine
| volume  = 11 
| issue   = 4 
| pages   = 240–241 
| year    = 2004 
| pmid    = 15249817
 | doi=10.1097/01.mej.0000127649.69328.a5
| s2cid = 21133983 
}}</ref> Myristicin—a [[monoamine oxidase inhibitor]] and psychoactive substance<ref name=drugs/><ref name=jmt/>—can cause [[convulsions]], [[palpitations]], [[nausea]], eventual [[dehydration]], and generalized body pain when consumed in large amounts.<ref name=drugs/><ref name=locost/> Nutmeg may interact with [[anxiolytic]] drugs, produce [[allergic reaction]]s, cause [[contact dermatitis]], and evoke acute episodes of [[psychosis]].<ref name=drugs/>

Varying considerably from person to person, nutmeg [[Substance intoxication|intoxication]] may occur with [[side effect]]s, such as [[delirium]], anxiety, confusion, headaches, nausea, dizziness, dry mouth, eye irritation, and [[amnesia]].<ref name=drugs/><ref name=jmt/> Intoxication takes several hours to reach maximum effect,<ref name=drugs/> and may last for several days.<ref name=jmt/><ref name = locost>
{{Cite journal 
| last1   = Demetriades | first1 = A. K. 
| last2   = Wallman     | first2 = P. D. 
| last3   = McGuiness   | first3 = A. 
| last4   = Gavalas     | first4 = M. C. 
| title   = Low Cost, High Risk: Accidental Nutmeg Intoxication 
| doi     = 10.1136/emj.2002.004168 
| journal = Emergency Medicine Journal 
| volume  = 22 
| issue   = 3 
| pages   = 223–225 
| year    = 2005 
| pmid    = 15735280 
| pmc     = 1726685 
}}</ref> Incidents of fatal poisoning from nutmeg and myristicin individually are uncommon.<ref name=drugs/>

Nutmeg poisonings occur by accidental consumption in children and by intentional recreational use.<ref name=jmt/> It is used recreationally with the intention of achieving a low-cost high resembling psychedelics, particularly by adolescents, drug users, college students, and prisoners.<ref name="Rahman_2015">{{cite journal| vauthors = Rahman NA, Fazilah A, Effarizah ME | date=2015 |title=Toxicity of Nutmeg (Myristicin): A Review |journal=International Journal on Advanced Science, Engineering and Information Technology|volume=5|issue=3|pages=212|doi=10.18517/ijaseit.5.3.518 |doi-access=free}}</ref> Relatively large doses of nutmeg are required to produce effects; a majority of reported nutmeg intoxication cases appear to result from recreational use.<ref>{{cite journal | vauthors = Forrester MB | title = Nutmeg intoxication in Texas, 1998–2004 | journal = Human & Experimental Toxicology | volume = 24 | issue = 11 | pages = 563–6 | date = November 2005 | pmid = 16323572 | doi = 10.1191/0960327105ht567oa | bibcode = 2005HETox..24..563F | s2cid = 6839715 }}</ref>

Playwright and poet [[William Shakespeare]] was alleged to use nutmeg for hallucinogenic purposes as nutmeg extract along with [[cannabis]] were found in analysis of fragments of his pipe.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2014-06-07 |title=Did Shakespeare Take Drugs? |url=https://nosweatshakespeare.com/blog/did-shakespeare-take-drugs/#:~:text=In%202001%20analysis%20of%20pipe,it%20is%20a%20distinct%20possibility. |access-date=2024-11-19 |website=No Sweat Shakespeare |language=en-US}}</ref>

=== Toxicity during pregnancy ===
Nutmeg was once considered an [[abortifacient]], but may be safe during [[pregnancy]] if used only in flavoring amounts.<ref name=drugs/> If consumed in large amounts, nutmeg could cause premature labor and miscarriage. Nutmeg may also interact with pain relievers such as [[pethidine]], so avoiding it during pregnancy is recommended.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.babycentre.co.uk/pregnancy/isitsafeto/herb%26drugchart/|title=Herb and drug safety chart|publisher=BabyCentre UK|date=2018|access-date=29 October 2018|archive-date=15 October 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121015052448/http://www.babycentre.co.uk/pregnancy/isitsafeto/herb%26drugchart|url-status=live}}</ref>

=== Toxicity to pets ===
The scent of nutmeg may attract pets, but it can be [[Toxicity|poisonous]] if consumed in excess.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.petpoisonhelpline.com/pet-safety-tips/nutmeg-cinnamon-toxicity/|title=Nutmeg Toxicity|publisher=Pet Poison Helpline|author=Charlotte Flint|date=2018|access-date=29 October 2018|archive-date=30 October 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181030131227/https://www.petpoisonhelpline.com/pet-safety-tips/nutmeg-cinnamon-toxicity/|url-status=live}}</ref>