What is nutmeg?
Nutmeg is usually accompanied by the spice mace.This two in one mysterious spice is native to The Moluccas Islands.  It is mainly cultivated in India, Indonesia, South America and  Grenada.  The nutmeg seed is encased in a fruit while on the tree. When  the fruit matures  it splits open  and the brown kernel of the nutmeg can be seen surrounded  by the red or sometimes brown mace. After the spice is harvested the  red mace spice is separated from the brown kernel and both are dried  separately. When kernel is dried it is cracked open and the nutmeg seed is removed for use.

The health benefits of Nutmeg 
 Nutmeg  and mace spice  enjoy a long culinary history, the ground nutmeg has been used in India for decades   Early medicinal use of nutmeg is well documented. The Arab traders used it for stomach ailments. They even used it as an aphrodisiac. In Europe it was used to help  joint pain and gout.  Most of the scientific studies reviewed mainly looked at  the psychotropic effect of nutmeg. However,there are some anecdotal accounts of nutmeg helping the cardiovascular system and the liver. In addition nutmeg and its components are still important  in Ayurevdic Indian medicine, it is used for excessive heat, indigestion and headache. The oil is also used for  aromatherapy.

Nutmeg hallucinogenic effect
Nutmeg has to be the most interesting spice in the kitchen. It always had a history of intoxicating qualities but was never seen as a psychoactive until the 1960’s when it became a cheap high for prisoners.   After that period use of the spice to get high was spotty.  However, its use surged again in the late 90’s. It is documented that between 1998-2004 The Texas poison center documented 17 such cases to their emergency rooms for side effects of ingesting excess nutmeg to induce euphoria. Those side effects were either dizziness, hallucinations, nausea or vomiting.

So is nutmeg really hallucinogenic. Researchers say yes because myristicin the chemical in nutmeg belongs to a family of compounds that are  used to make stronger psychotropic drugs. Myristicn also metabolizes into amphetamine like compounds.  In addition some people who have ingested the spice say they had out of body experiences.   Is the use of nutmeg as a hallucinogenic widespread it does not appear to be so. It seems the negative side effects seem to  serve as a deterrent.

Precautions