In large quantities nutmeg can cause hallucinations, nausea and dizziness due to psychoactive compounds such as myristicin, making excessive consumption medically unsafe despite its common culinary use.
Why it happens
Nutmeg contains the compound myristicin and related substances that have anticholinergic and psychoactive effects; at sufficiently high doses these chemicals can produce altered perception, sensory distortions and delirium.
Typical effects of overdose
Reported symptoms from large ingestions include hallucinations, severe nausea and vomiting, dizziness, rapid heartbeat, dry mouth and intense drowsiness; intoxication often develops slowly over several hours and can persist for a day or more.
How much is dangerous
Acute toxic or hallucinogenic effects generally require many grams of nutmeg rather than a culinary pinch, with case reports and experimental work suggesting doses on the order of ten grams or more may produce significant toxicity and prolonged symptoms.
Safety and advice
Because large doses risk severe discomfort, medical complications and even organ stress, nutmeg should be used only in small culinary amounts and never as a recreational substance; seek medical help for suspected poisoning or worrying symptoms after ingestion.
Quick related facts
- Active compound: myristicin.
- Possible effects: hallucinations; nausea; dizziness; prolonged intoxication.
- Risk threshold: effects reported at multi‑gram doses, often around 10 g or higher.
- Recommendation: culinary use only; avoid excessive consumption.