From: [d--e] at [unislc.slc.unisys.com] (Dale Clark) Subject: Re: nutmeg update Date: Thu, 24 Jun 1993 14:56:27 -0600 (MDT) ---------------------------------- NUTMEG ---------------------------------- GENERAL INFO ------------ Nutmeg; nux moschata; nuces (semen) nucistae; myristica; myristicin. 3-methoxy-4,5-methylenedioxy. Habitat in Southern Asia, Muluccas, cultivated in many tropical countries. Constituents 25-35% fixed oil and 5-15% volatile oils. The myristicin fraction of the latter together with elemicin (> 25% content) which is supposedly responsible for the purported hallucinogenic properties of nutmeg seed. STRUCTURE --------- CH2CH=CH2 | ----- // ~ \\ /|| || O \\ ~ // \ /----\ H2C-O O \ CH3 LD-50 ---- There are no clear references to the LD-50 of nutmeg, however it has been stated the LD-50 for a person >100 lbs is well in excess of 30g. ACTIONS ------- There are two types of hallucinogens found in the angiosperms and fungi - the two the groups of organisms containing the vast majority of mind-altering chemicals. The first type is composed of nitrogenous compounds that are alkaloids or alkaloid derivates; most of these are probably derived from the amino acid tryptophan and include the beta-carbolines, ergolines, indoles, isoquinolines, isoxazoles, beta- phenylethlyamines, quinolizidines, tropanes, and tryptamines. An example is mescaline from peyote. The second type of hallucinogen contains non-nitrogenous compounds which chemically are dibenzopyrans and phenylpropenes. Within this non- niitrogenous and non-alkaloid group we find the active ingredients of marijuana and nutmeg. One of the active substances in nutmeg is the essential oil myristicin. Elemicin is found in the common kitchen spice mace. 1-2 teaspoons can be used to brew a tea, which after a 2-5 hour delay, induces euphoria and changes in sensory perception, including visual hallucinations, psychotic reactions, and feelings of dissociation. Unpleasant physical side effects include vomiting, nausea, and tremors. Nutmeg is a spice consisting of the seed of the Myristica fragrans, a tropical evergreen tree grown in the Moluccas and the East Indies. It was brought to europe in the 17th century by Dutch explorers. Because of its distinctive pungent fragrance and sweet taste, nutmeg is used as a flavoring for baked goods, candies, puddings, meats, and beverages such as eggnog. The trees bearing nutmeg grow to a height of about 65 feet and yield the nutmeg fruit 8 years after planting. The fruit of the tree is similar in appearance to an apricot. It splits in two when fully ripened, revealing a crimson-covered mace or hull covering the nutmeg seed. The maces are dried in the sun for a period of six to eight weeks. Then, the nutmeg seeds are removed for further processing. The effects of a 10-gram dose of nutmeg, which is almost always eaten, is equivalent to one marijuana cigarette, but the sensation is often accompanied by severe diarrhea and nausea. A dose exceeding 10 grams causes the effects to become more intense, as will the side effects - dizziness, flushes, dry mouth and throat, rapid heartbeat, constipation, urinary difficulty, and occasionally, panic. Nutmeg seldom causes powerful hallucinations, simply because the dosage required to reach that state is close to a toxic overdose. Because of the unpleasant consequences of its use, nutmeg is not a popular street drug. Its chief abusers tend to be people such as prisoners who do not have access to other drugs. Because of its legal status, an illicit underground trafficking network for this substance does not exist.