Nutmeg contains a chemical called myristicin, which affects the central nervous system in ways that mimic the effects of recreational drugs such as cannabis, mescaline, and MDMA. Research suggests that myristicin interacts with the human endocannabinoid system, while also triggering the release of norephedrine in the CNS. However, myristicin is powerfully anxiogenic, meaning it causes severe anxiety, physical discomfort, and unpleasant symptoms such as raised heart rate and blood pressure, palpitations, hypertension, nausea, dizziness, and blurry vision. These symptoms can last up to two days and have been linked to two reported cases of fatal nutmeg overdoses in the past, making it largely unpopular despite its legality and accessibility.
