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Over the holidays, I made some homemade vanilla eggnog and used freshly grated whole nutmeg. It really does make a difference if you grate a whole nutmeg versus using regular powdered nutmeg spice. The flavor is incredibly richer with the former.

The recipe is posted at my website, but the point is that nutmeg is a very interesting spice with many health benefits, and one potential drawback.

You may not realize it, but nutmeg naturally contains a compound called myristicin that can get you a bit high. The spice has compounds in it that impact the brain, and for sensitive individuals it may be a little too much.

The worst part is that children and teens are usually the ones getting into trouble with nutmeg because the “nutmeg challenge” trend — encouraging kids to ingest a few teaspoons of the spice — started on the popular social media app TikTok.

Before you go and trash the nutmeg in your home, I want to tell you that myristicin is in your parsley, anise, cinnamon, clove, fennel, parsley, star anise and basil! There’s just not that much in those other spices.

And moreover, the kids trying to trip off the myristicin aren’t going for those other herbs; they’re looking in the cabinet for the nutmeg.

Benefits of the spice

I don’t want to scare you away from nutmeg when it is a superfood. Nutmeg has medicinal properties that make it a delicious, health-giving spice.

It is known to help with sleep, blood pressure, inflammation, stomach problems and pain. It’s a strong anti-inflammatory and has anti-tumorigenic properties.

It even improves memory and, if used correctly in recipes, will enhance the flavor of any dish.

Using it properly is key. Recipes call for small amounts, usually one-quarter or half of a teaspoon to the batter or soup you’re making. It’s a very tiny amount compared to the whole recipe.

But kids and some adults are being dumb and taking a whole teaspoon, and sometimes up to a tablespoon or two! This can lead to fatal consequences in rare cases.

The psychoactive compounds in nutmeg spice put the sympathetic nervous system into action, and this can cause fight or flight symptoms. Taken in excess, one may experience dry mouth, blurred vision, dizziness, confusion and heart rhythm abnormalities. If there is a pre-existing heart condition, even a teaspoon or two can be fatal.

The difficulty is that the trip-like effects don’t occur right away. The spice is fully ingested and absorbed into the bloodstream before the dreadful situation presents itself symptomatically.

Eventually one may experience toxic effects such as dizziness, vertigo, tachycardia, hallucinations, disorientation to time and space, depersonalization, dysphoria, nausea/vomiting and more.

Nutmeg is easily a superfood, with tremendous health benefits. But when abused, it can lead to intoxication. Please read your recipes carefully and keep an eye on what your kids or grandkids are watching on social media.

This information is opinion only. It is not intended to treat, cure or diagnose your condition. Consult with your doctor before using any new drug or supplement.

Suzy Cohen is a registered pharmacist and author of The 24-Hour Pharmacist and Real Solutions from Head to Toe. www.SuzyCohen.com