Nutmeg Challenge, Cheap Thrills or Vibe Kills

nutmeg

History/Intro

For centuries nutmeg has been used as a psychoactive drug, falling in and out of popularity. It is often selected because it is cheap and easy to come by, (there might be some in your kitchen spice rack right now). Nutmeg is sometimes used to ease symptoms when experiencing opiate/ opioid withdrawal.

Since the 12th century people have used nutmeg as both a drug with medicinal properties and a seasoning. French astrologer, Nostradamus, was said to have induced his prophetic visions by ingesting large quantities of nutmeg. Malcom X is even quoted noting “a penny matchbox full of nutmeg had the kick of three or four reefers,” in his autobiography.

A drug with such a rich history is sure to peak some people’s interest and curiosities, especially being so cheap and easy to access. Unfortunately, not many people are aware of the dangers and risk of harm when ingesting nutmeg in high quantities. Currently there is a recurring “Nutmeg Challenges” trend on social media sites like Facebook and TikTok where people (especially teens and young adults) are filming themselves after consuming 2-4 tablespoons of nutmeg.

Safety/Dosing

Light to moderate doses for ground nutmeg range from 5-20g, (roughly 1-5 teaspoons), with strong doses being from 20-30g, (roughly 5-7 teaspoons).

Because the typical route of administration is through ground nutmeg, it’s important to take note that doses can range, with some reporting no effects that others would consider strong or toxic due to varying levels of myristicin in the ground nutmeg, so start with a small dose first and stick with the same brand.
Buying whole nuts over pre-ground is recommended because of the variance of potency in ground nutmeg. Whole nutmeg nuts are typically more potent, which should be taken into consideration when dosing. The trip usually lasts 24-36 hours, taking around 3-5 hours to “kick in”, but could last as long as 72 hours, so it’s important to make sure you are in the right setting for the trip.

Danger stuff

 

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Effects

 The active psychoactive drugs in nutmeg are Myristicin and Elemicin. Classified as a delierient, Myristicin has hallucinogenic effects, as well as making your body feel heavy, visual distortion, tactile and audible hallucinations, euphoria, and emotion enhancement. Adverse effects include nausea, dizziness, dehydration, difficulty urinating, increased need to urinate, anxiety, paranoia, depersonalization, confusion, and more. Unlike other delierients, the visuals tend to be less intense and it’s easier to tell hallucinations from reality. It is also reported to be less dysphoric than other delierients. Nutmeg can have adverse reactions when combined with different drugs, so it’s recommended to take caution when combining nutmeg and other pharmaceutical or street drugs. Nutmeg can increase the chance of toxicity in other drugs and itself when taken in combination, as well as creating adverse psychological effects.Ingesting large amounts of nutmeg can cause miscarriages. Nutmeg can be fatal in high doses.

 

Nutmeg