NUTMEG – WHAT IS IT? IS IT ABUSIVE?

BY JEREMY SEO KIM, 2ND PROFESSIONAL YEAR

FALL 2022

Buah Pala, Jaatipatree, Jaiphal, Jatiphal, Jatiphala, Jatiphalam, Magic, Muscade, Muscade et Macis, Muscadier, Muskatbaum, Muskatnuss, Myristica, Myristica Oil, Myristicae Semen, Noix de Muscade, Noix de Muscade et Macis, Nuez Moscada, Nuez Moscada y Macis, Nutmeg, Nux Moschata, Ron Dau Kou

Nutmeg and mace are two commonly used spices originating from the same tree, Myristica fragrans. The tree is indigenous to the Banda Islands of Indonesia, and is now cultivated in other tropical regions, such as Malaysia and the Caribbean.

Nutmeg from Indonesia is known to have been in the medieval diet of peoples living as far away as the modern Czech Republic. There are reports of nutmeg intoxication dating back to 1576. During the 1990s, plant drugs such as nutmeg increased in popularity among recreational drug users. More recently, the nutmeg challenge has involved the ingestion of large quantities of nutmeg by children in order to gain a natural "high."

Traditionally, nutmeg is used topically as an analgesic. There is evidence from animal research that nutmeg has analgesic effects, possibly by decreasing the inflammatory enzyme cyclooxygenase-2

Nutmeg has traditionally been used for anxiety. Some evidence from animal research suggests that nutmeg extracts exhibit antidepressant-like activity. This is possibly related to the activation of either the 1-adrenoceptors or dopamine (D2) receptors.

Nutmeg is traditionally used as an aphrodisiac. Evidence from animal research suggests that oral intake of 50% ethanol extract of nutmeg increases libido and potency in male rats.

www.medicalnewstoday.com

Evidencefromanimal research suggests that nutmeg extract can inhibit acetylcholinesterase and might increase acetylcholine levels. Theoretically, concurrent use of nutmeg with other cholinergic drugs might have additive effects and increase the risk of cholinergic side effects.

Some evidence from animal research suggests that myristicin, a constituent of nutmeg, can reduce sleeping time in rats pretreated with phenobarbital. Theoretically, concomitant use may decrease the therapeutic effects of phenobarbital.

Nutmeg legal in all states. ABC news in 2010 wrote an article about nutmeg saying that “FDA has no plans to regulate the spice.”

The drug screenings for nutmeg are not very common for patients. According to a search on PubMed, there were evidence that when high dose of nutmeg was ingested, it would show up in the urine. To detect the nutmeg in the urine, the researchers had to isolate it by gas chromatography and mass spectroscopy.

1. Maloney C. Indonesia's great frontier and migration policy. UFSI Rep. 1987; (30):1-11.

2. Culíková V. Assortment of the plants in the Medieval diet in Czech countries (based on archaeobotanical finds). Acta Univ Carol Med (Praha). 2000;41(1-4):105-118.

3. Atherton RR. The 'Nutmeg Challenge': a dangerous social media trend [published online ahead of print, 2020 Jul 3]. Arch Dis Child. 2020;archdischild-2020-319407. doi:10.1136/archdischild-2020-319407 https://www.news-medical.net/

Nutmeg is a very common spice we can find in grocery stores. A lot of products in the grocery store also include nutmeg as an ingredient. Since it is a very common spice as an ingredient, I believe that someone or some child could accidentally overdose on nutmeg.

I believe that nutmeg is not a type of ingredient/drug where frequent substance users would go out and intentionally ingest large amount of nutmeg. In conclusion, I believe that nutmeg is a safe and should not be regulated, but just to be careful when adding too much of nutmeg as an ingredient.

~ J. Kim

https://www.costco.com/

4. Nutmeg, Natural Medicine. TRC. Accessed October 11, 2022. https://naturalmedicines.therapeuticre search.com/ https://abcnews.go.com/Health/largedoses-nutmeg-hallucinogenichigh/story?id=12347815

5. Nutmeg Treated as Drug for Hallucinogenic High. ABC News. Accessed October 12, 2022.

Beyer J, Ehlers D, Maurer HH. Abuse of nutmeg (Myristica fragrans Houtt.): studies on the metabolism and the toxicologic detection of its ingredients elemicin, myristicin, and safrole in rat and human urine using gas chromatography/mass spectrometry. Ther Drug Monit. 2006;28(4):568-575. doi:10.1097/0000769 1-200608000-00013

6. Neukamm MA, Schwelm HM, Vieser S, Schiesel N, Auwärter V. Detection of nutmeg abuse by gas chromatography-mass spectrometric screening of urine. J Anal Toxicol. 2020;44(1):103-108. doi:10.1093/jat/ bkz054

PCP was first synthesized in 1956. It was initially tested as an intravenous anesthetic with potential to be more effective than other drugs used in the same way. Soon, it became evident that PCP can lead to harmful side effects like severe agitation and delirium.

Even though it was soon restricted to veterinary medicine, PCP became a popular drug of abuse. As a powder, the drug can be rolled and smoked. The crystalline form as well as the powder can be injected.

Small doses of PCP are reported to give the user a feeling of numbness. As doses increase, users note feelings associated with analgesia as well as effects like hallucinations and confusion.

Just like many illicit drugs, there are a plethora of slang terms used to identify PCP. Some examples of these terms include Angel dust, belladonna, black whack, CJ, cliffhanger, crystal joint, Detroit pink, elephant tranquilizer, hog, magic, Peter Pan, sheets, soma, TAC, trank, white horizon and zoom.