Demetriades AK, Wallman PD, Mcguiness A, Gavalas MC. Low cost, high risk: accidental nutmeg intoxication. Emerg Med J. 2005;22(3):223-5. DOI: 10.1136/emj.2002.004168 One animal study showed that consuming nutmeg extract prevented cellular damage in rats treated with isoproterenol, a medication known to induce severe oxidative stress.

When free radical levels become too high in your body, oxidative stress occurs. It’s associated with the onset and progression of many chronic conditions, such as certain cancers and heart and neurodegenerative diseases ( 3). Though small in size, the seeds from which nutmeg is derived are rich in plant compounds that act as antioxidants in your body ( 1). Though nutmeg is unlikely to cause harm when consumed in small quantities, taking it in high doses may cause adverse side effects. To avoid these potentially harmful side effects, avoid consuming large amounts of nutmeg and do not use it as a recreational drug.A similar study showed that giving male mice this same high dose of nutmeg extract significantly increased their sexual activity compared to a control group ( 14).

Cases of nutmeg intoxication have been reported in people who have ingested 5 grams of nutmeg, which corresponds to about 0.5–0.9 mg of myristicin per pound (1–2 mg per kg) of body weight ( 24). Researchers still aren’t sure exactly how the spice enhances libido. Some surmise these effects are due to its ability to stimulate the nervous system, along with its high content of powerful plant compounds ( 13).Zhang WK, Tao SS, Li TT, et al. Nutmeg oil alleviates chronic inflammatory pain through inhibition of COX-2 expression and substance P release in vivo. Food Nutr Res. 2016;60:30849. DOI: 10.3402/fnr.v60.30849 Antioxidants are compounds that protect your cells from damage caused by free radicals. These are molecules that have an unpaired electron, which makes them unstable and reactive ( 2). Smalheiser NR. A neglected link between the psychoactive effects of dietary ingredients and consciousness-altering drugs. Front Psychiatry. 2019;10:591. doi:10.3389/fpsyt.2019.00591 Nutmeg is rich in anti-inflammatory compounds called monoterpenes, including sabinene, terpineol, and pinene. These may help reduce inflammation in your body and benefit those with inflammatory conditions ( 1). Nutmeg contains an abundance of antioxidants, including plant pigments like cyanidins, essential oils, such as phenylpropanoids and terpenes, and phenolic compounds, including protocatechuic, ferulic, and caffeic acids ( 1).

It contains the compounds myristicin and safrole. When ingested in large amounts, they can cause symptoms like hallucinations and loss of muscle coordination.What’s more, the wide array of antioxidants found in the spice, such as cyanidins and phenolic compounds, also have powerful anti-inflammatory properties ( 1, 10).

Morsy NF. A comparative study of nutmeg (Houtt.) oleoresins obtained by conventional and green extraction techniques. J Food Sci Technol. 2016;53(10):3770-3777. doi:10.1007/s13197-016-2363-0In fact, between 2001 and 2011, 32 cases of nutmeg toxicity were reported in the U.S. state of Illinois alone. A whopping 47% of these cases were related to deliberate ingestion by those using nutmeg for its psychoactive effects ( 22). Myristicin, the main component of the essential oil found in nutmeg that has powerful psychoactive properties, is thought to be responsible for these toxic effects ( 23). Human studies are needed to determine whether high-dose supplements of the spice are safe and effective in humans. Additionally, studies in mice and rats have shown that taking high doses of nutmeg supplements long term leads to organ damage. However, it’s unclear if humans would also experience these effects ( 27, 28, 29). Test-tube studies have also shown that nutmeg extract exhibits powerful antioxidant effects against free radicals ( 5, 6, 7, 8).