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<aside> 🩺 Medical Disclaimer: This article is not intended as medical advice. The information presented in this article is for educational purposes and should not be used in place of medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment from a licensed medical doctor. Always consult with your healthcare team before making any changes to your diet, exercise routine, or medication.
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Insider.com published an article on April 20, 2020 about the viral TikTok ‘Nutmeg Challenge’ (not endorsed by the social media company) in which people record themselves consuming large amounts of the spice nutmeg in order to achieve intoxication. (1) This so-called ‘challenge’ first appeared in the early months of the Covid-19 pandemic in 2020-2021. (2) Newsweek.com included the nutmeg challenge in its article entitled, 21 Dangerous TikTok Trends Every Parent Should Be Aware of on March 06, 2021.
Nutmeg is a common household cooking spice made from the seed of a native evergreen tree called Myristica fragrans (Houtt). (3,4) Although the plant is native to the Moluccas and Banda Islands in the South Pacific, it is rarely found growing wild. It is now grown commercially in tropical regions, like Indonesia, and imported to the United States. (4)
Nutmeg is most commonly encountered by Americans during the fall and winter months, when it is used as an ingredient in foods such as pumpkin pie and eggnog. (5) However, most recipes that call for nutmeg, use the spice sparingly. For example, a Today.com article titled, Homemade Pumpkin Pie, called for 3/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg for an entire pie meant to serve several people. (6)
The nutmeg challenge is not a contest or game per se; rather, it should be interpreted as a dare or something posted for the purpose of gaining views and followers to the posters’ TikTok accounts. It essentially involves ingesting the spice (usually dissolved in a liquid and drunk) in order to achieve the hallucinogenic effects that occur at intoxicating doses. Intoxication usually occurs after consuming five to twenty grams of ground nutmeg—depending on the individual. (3) The affects of the intoxication begin around three to six hours after consumption and can last 12 to 24 hours. (3)
The side effects of taking a large amount of nutmeg can vary and are influenced by a couple of factors: the age, health, and size of the person taking it; and the amount taken. The compounds in nutmeg thought to cause the ill effects are myristicin and elemicin. (7,8)
Listed Alphabetically:
Abdominal pain
Agitation & Anxiety
Altered state of mind: confusion, impending sense of doom, hallucination
Profuse sweating
Death
Dehydration
Delirium
Double vision
Drowsiness
Dry throat and mouth
Eye irritation
Flushed skin
Headache
Lightheadedness
Nausea
Rapid heartbeat
Seizures
Tremors
Seek medical attention as soon as possible. **Contact Poison Control: 1-(800)222-1222** and emergency services: (911), and provide them with the following information about the person who took the nutmeg (7):