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Nutmeg is technically a hallucinogenic drug. Consuming .2 ounces can cause convulsions while eating .3 ounces can stir up hallucinations. For those who feel a bit braver, they can eat a whole nutmeg, but be warned, you’ll enter what’s called “nutmeg psychosis,” which can lead to death.
However, as it turns out, the science is unclear as to how much of the spice is actually harmful, but there are plenty of examples of its dangerous effects when consumed in large doses. It takes a fair amount of nutmeg — two tablespoons or more — before people start exhibiting symptoms. These can include an out-of-body sensation, but the most common are intense nausea, dizziness, extreme dry mouth, and a lingering slowdown of normal brain function.
The usual holiday samplings of nutmeg — the dusting on eggnog or a cocktail, the quarter-teaspoon sprinkle that goes into a pie or cake — is not a risk to those who love the stuff. In those doses, the woodsy, sweet flavor should simply be enjoyed.