Nutrition Diet: What are the high risks of nutmeg?

October 6, 2025 •

4 min read

While commonly used in holiday treats, nutmeg intoxication cases have been documented by poison centers, highlighting a serious risk associated with consuming excessive amounts of this seemingly harmless spice. Understanding what are the high risks of nutmeg? is critical for both adults and adolescents who may be unaware of its potent psychoactive properties.

Quick Summary

Excessive nutmeg consumption is highly dangerous due to its psychoactive compounds, like myristicin, leading to severe intoxication with symptoms ranging from hallucinations and confusion to heart palpitations and agitation. Overdose can occur with just a few grams, posing serious health risks and requiring immediate medical attention.

Key Points

Myristicin is a Neurotoxin: The high risks of nutmeg stem from myristicin, a compound that acts as a neurotoxin and can cause hallucinogenic and stimulating effects when consumed in large amounts.
Toxic Dose is Low: As little as 1 to 3 teaspoons (5 to 15 grams) of ground nutmeg can be a toxic dose, causing severe poisoning symptoms.
Symptoms are Unpleasant: Nutmeg intoxication is not a euphoric experience; it is typically characterized by disturbing hallucinations, intense nausea, dizziness, and paranoia.
Delayed Onset is Dangerous: The delayed onset of symptoms (3-8 hours after ingestion) can cause individuals to take more, leading to a more severe overdose.
Potential for Organ Damage: High doses may cause severe dehydration, liver issues, and dangerously high heart rates, potentially leading to hospitalization or, in very rare cases, death.
Not a Recreational Drug: Despite attempts to use it as a substitute for illegal drugs, the risks and severe unpleasantness of the experience far outweigh any perceived reward.
Seek Medical Help Immediately: In case of a suspected overdose, it is crucial to contact a poison control center or seek immediate medical attention.

The Surprising Dangers of a Common Spice

Nutmeg, derived from the seed of the Myristica fragrans tree, is a versatile spice found in kitchens worldwide, adding a warm, sweet flavor to baked goods, sauces, and beverages. Yet, this familiar kitchen staple harbors a dangerous secret: when consumed in large quantities, it can become a potent and unpleasant toxin. The high risks of nutmeg are often misunderstood, leading to accidental poisoning or, in some cases, intentional abuse by those seeking a cheap, but potentially fatal, high.

The Role of Myristicin and Safrole

The toxicity of nutmeg is primarily attributed to a pair of psychoactive compounds naturally present in its volatile oil: myristicin and safrole.

Myristicin: This compound has a chemical structure similar to amphetamines and mescaline, allowing it to act on the central nervous system. When ingested in large doses, myristicin inhibits monoamine oxidase, disrupting the body's neurotransmitter balance, particularly affecting norepinephrine signaling. This disruption leads to the hallucinogenic and stimulating effects associated with nutmeg toxicity.
Safrole: Another volatile oil in nutmeg, safrole, is also psychoactive and contributes to the overall toxic effects. Both myristicin and safrole can be converted into hallucinogenic amphetamine derivatives within the body.

Acute Symptoms of Nutmeg Intoxication

The onset of nutmeg poisoning symptoms is often delayed, occurring between 3 and 8 hours after ingestion. This delay is particularly dangerous, as individuals may consume more, mistakenly believing the initial dose was ineffective. Symptoms can vary widely from person to person depending on the dose and individual sensitivity, but a typical toxic episode lasts 24 to 36 hours.

Central Nervous System (CNS) Effects:

Hallucinations and Delirium: Disturbing auditory and visual hallucinations are common, often described as nightmarish and disorienting rather than euphoric. Severe cases may involve delirium, paranoia, and dissociation.
Dizziness and Confusion: Victims often experience profound disorientation, giddiness, vertigo, and a significant decrease in mental clarity.
Anxiety and Agitation: A feeling of impending doom, intense anxiety, panic, and psychomotor agitation are frequently reported.
Sedation: In some cases, severe CNS depression can occur, leading to drowsiness, lethargy, stupor, or coma.

Physical and Cardiovascular Symptoms:

Gastrointestinal Distress: Nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, and an extremely dry mouth are among the earliest and most common side effects.
Cardiovascular Issues: Dangerous and potentially life-threatening cardiac symptoms include tachycardia (rapid heartbeat), palpitations, and hypertension (high blood pressure).
Other Physical Effects: Other reported symptoms include tremors, flushing, eye irritation, and double vision.

Understanding Safe vs. Dangerous Doses

It is crucial to differentiate between the small, culinary quantities of nutmeg and the much larger amounts that lead to toxicity. The line between safe seasoning and dangerous consumption is surprisingly thin.


Feature	Culinary Use	Toxic/Recreational Use
Amount	A pinch, typically 1/8 to 1/2 teaspoon per recipe for multiple servings.	1 to 3 teaspoons, or more than 5 grams, is considered a toxic dose.
Effect	Enhances flavor profile of dishes; no noticeable physiological or neurological response.	Induces hallucinogenic, anticholinergic, and stimulating effects.
Symptom Onset	None.	Delayed, often 3-8 hours after ingestion.
Associated Risks	Generally recognized as safe (GRAS) by the FDA in food amounts.	Severe intoxication, hospitalization, and, in rare cases, death.
Target User	Home cooks, bakers.	Adolescents, recreational drug users, or those unaware of the risks.

Who is at Higher Risk?

Certain individuals and situations elevate the danger associated with nutmeg consumption.

Children: Toddlers and young children who accidentally ingest nutmeg are at high risk of poisoning due to their lower body weight. All spices should be stored securely out of their reach.
Adolescents and Young Adults: A significant number of intentional nutmeg poisonings are reported in this demographic, often due to social media trends promoting its use as a recreational intoxicant. The unpleasant side effects, however, often deter repeated use.
Pregnant Women: In the past, nutmeg was used as an abortifacient. While not effective, large doses are considered potentially unsafe during pregnancy and may risk miscarriage or birth defects.
Individuals with Pre-existing Conditions: People with heart conditions or certain psychiatric disorders are particularly vulnerable to the severe cardiovascular and psychological effects of nutmeg toxicity.

Drug and Medication Interactions

Nutmeg's interaction with other substances is a critical safety concern. It can exacerbate side effects or cause dangerous complications when combined with certain medications.

Sedatives: Nutmeg can enhance the effects of sedatives, potentially leading to excessive drowsiness or breathing problems.
Anticholinergic Drugs: Nutmeg can increase acetylcholine levels, interfering with the action of anticholinergic medications.
Liver-Metabolized Drugs: Myristicin can affect liver enzymes that process drugs, altering how quickly other medications are broken down and increasing the risk of adverse effects.

Conclusion: Enjoying Nutmeg Safely

Despite its dangerous potential, nutmeg remains a beloved culinary spice. The key to safe consumption lies in moderation and awareness. When used in the small amounts prescribed by recipes—usually a pinch or a quarter teaspoon for an entire dish—nutmeg adds flavor without posing a health risk. However, it must never be considered a recreational drug or a harmless remedy in high doses due to its unpredictable and unpleasant toxic effects. If you or someone you know shows signs of nutmeg poisoning, including severe agitation, hallucinations, or a rapid heart rate, seek immediate medical help. Awareness and a healthy respect for its potency are the best defenses against the high risks of nutmeg.

For more information on spice safety and food handling, refer to authoritative sources like Foodsafety.gov.

Frequently Asked Questions

The main poisonous substance in nutmeg is a volatile oil called myristicin. When consumed in large amounts, myristicin is responsible for the psychoactive and toxic effects on the central nervous system.

A dangerous dose of nutmeg can be as little as 5 grams, which is approximately 1 to 2 teaspoons of ground nutmeg. However, the precise toxic dose can vary based on individual factors like body weight and tolerance.

If you eat too much nutmeg, you may experience symptoms such as nausea, vomiting, dizziness, dry mouth, and confusion. In more severe cases, you can experience hallucinations, agitation, and a rapid heartbeat.

While the acute symptoms of nutmeg poisoning typically resolve within 24 to 48 hours, long-term abuse could potentially lead to serious side effects. Myristicin and safrole can cause damage to organs like the liver, heart, and kidneys, though this is rare and primarily associated with chronic, excessive use.

In food amounts, nutmeg is generally considered safe. However, due to its potential to induce adverse effects in large doses, pregnant women are advised to use it only as a flavoring and to avoid taking large amounts.

Yes, nutmeg can interact with certain medications, particularly those that affect the liver (Cytochrome P450 enzymes), sedatives, and anticholinergic drugs. You should consult a healthcare provider if you are concerned about interactions.

If you or someone else has ingested a large amount of nutmeg and is showing signs of poisoning, seek immediate medical attention. This includes calling a poison control center or going to the emergency room, as supportive care and treatment may be necessary.