Nutmeg has been used for thousands of years for multiple purposes. It appears to have a fairly large safety margin for use, although the long-term effects of nutmeg use on the body are not well understood. The biggest known danger from experimentation is dehydration, and the biggest discomfort the resulting hangover. By keeping non-alcoholic/non-caffeinated fluids handy, and drinking often, this hangover (which can otherwise last several days) can likely be avoided.
The most promising aspects of nutmeg seem to be its potential as an anti-depressant and as an aphrodisiac when used in small doses. I have felt improvements in mood and decreases in anxiety with as little as 1/4 tsp in a cup of chocolate, or with one or two cookies from the recipe above. With knowledge of nutmeg's mood-elevating properties going back a thousand years or more, further investigation into the potential of nutmeg as an anti-depressant seems merited.
All in all, nutmeg is a well-rounded little nut. It may be used to brighten your day, to spice up your love life, to flavor your food, to induce vivid dreams, or to just get plain stoned. This seed has been overlooked and misunderstood by many entheophiles, but once one is privy to her secrets she can become a valuable ally
Notes: another secondary source (Shulgin et al. 1967) also citing Truitt et al. 1961, claimed symptoms from 400 mg of myristicin "at least suggestive of psychotropic effects in 6 out of 10 subjects." The original paper by Truitt et al. states that there was a "definite reaction" in each of 4 subjects, and that 2 subjects each had a "questionable reaction."
References:
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- C.S.W.G. (Chemical Selection Working Group) 1997. Summary of Data for Chemical Selection: Myristicin CAS NO. 607-91-0.
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- Shulgin, A. et al. 1967. "The Chemistry and Psychopharmacology of Nutmeg and of Several Related Phenylisoproplamines," in D.H. Efron (ed.) Ethnopharmacologic Search for Psychoactive Drugs, pp. 202-214.
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Thanks to Erowid for resurfacing this article.
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