From
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nutmeg#Risks_and_toxicity
In low doses, nutmeg produces no noticeable physiological or
neurological response. Large doses of 30 g (~6 teaspoons) or more are
dangerous, potentially inducing
convulsions,
palpitations, nausea, eventual
dehydration, and generalized body pain
BMJ.
In amounts of 5–20 g (~1-4 teaspoons) it is a mild to medium
hallucinogen, producing visual distortions and a mild euphoria. Nutmeg
contains
myristicin, a weak
monoamine oxidase inhibitor.
A test was carried out on the substance that showed that, when
ingested in large amounts, nutmeg takes on a similar chemical make-up
to
MDMA
(ecstasy). However, use of nutmeg as a recreational drug is unpopular
due to its unpleasant taste and its side effects, including dizziness,
flushes, dry mouth, accelerated heartbeat, temporary constipation,
difficulty in urination, nausea, and panic. A user will not experience
a peak until approximately six hours after ingestion, and effects can
linger for up to three days afterwards.
A risk in any large-quantity (over 25 g, ~5 teaspoons) ingestion of nutmeg is the onset of 'nutmeg poisoning', an acute
psychiatric disorder marked by
thought disorder, a sense of impending doom/death, and agitation. Some cases have resulted in hospitalization.
Fatal doses in children are significantly lower, with approximately
15g being sufficient to cause one of only two recorded nutmeg toxicity
deaths, in an eight year old child.
BMJ.
Nutmeg is an
abortifacient, and as such any significant doses should be avoided by pregnant women.
BMJ