A mother from Georgia recently shared a video on TikTok warning other parents about children getting high by snorting a commonly used spice found in your kitchen cabinet.
The now viral video explains that teenagers are tripping on nutmeg, a spice used to flavor both savory and sweet products, which also produces a toxic “nutmeg high.”
Keep reading to learn more about the psychoactive substance, which can be dangerous and potentially lethal when consumed in large quantities.
On March 11, a mother named Lakeview Living on TikTok shared an already viral video addressing both teenagers and parents about a new snorting trend.
The clip, seen by nearly 600,000 internet users, is captioned: “Really guys! NUTMEG?! How do they come up with this stuff?”
In the post, the mother says, “Today, I talked to one of my friends, a teacher, and she said, ‘Girl, it’s exhausting trying to stay one step ahead of these kids.’
She describes it as “crazy” and explains that during a “backpack check,” teachers discovered that some students had small bottles of nutmeg with them.
To avoid getting reprimanded, the students claimed the spices were for “culinary class.”
But when the teacher discussed the nutmeg with the cooking teacher, she replied, “What are you talking about? We don’t use nutmeg for anything.”
The surprised mother then explains that the school’s resource officer overheard the conversation and before suspending the clever children, he confiscated the sweet nutty substance.
The mother scolds the resourceful but lazy teenagers and adds, “You can’t finish your homework, but you can figure out how to get high on nutmeg? Keep it meaningful.”
MMDA
According to Medical News Today, consuming nutmeg in large quantities (two teaspoons) causes a “high” similar to some hallucinogenic drugs. This is known as nutmeg intoxication.”
Nutmeg contains a chemical compound called myristicin, and when consumed, it is metabolized by the body and forms the psychedelic drug methylenedioxyamphetamine (MMDA).
People with nutmeg poisoning experience various symptoms, including drowsiness and hallucinations.
Nutmeg poisoning can also be dangerous and potentially lethal.
Anarchist Cookbook
The woman’s followers, many of them parents, expressed their concern about snorting spices.
“This has been a thing for years. There is a compound in it that is psychoactive, but not in a fun way. You get the worst hangover of your life for a high of 10 minutes,” shared one TikToker.
A mother, praising teachers for keeping an eye on her children – all from the generation following Gen Z – added, “As a mother of [four] Gen Alpha… I am so grateful for teachers and their patience with my kids.”
Others shared that snorting nutmeg is not new. “Back in the class of 2002, it was so popular at my school that they had to do a project on how toxic nutmeg can be if you use too much of it,” one wrote.
A second said, “Nutmeg was the thing when I was 12… Someone talked to Gen X!”
“Gen X’er here – The Anarchist Cookbook, of course,” joked a third.
Meanwhile, an internet user shared her experience with a child who had nutmeg poisoning: “Years ago, I cared for a child in the hospital for nutmeg poisoning. It was the first time I had heard of it. It started in prisons. But they have the internet, so they must have learned it there.”
This did not start in prisons, the use of nutmeg as a drug began long before prisoners learned about its hallucinogenic powers.
The Encyclopedia of Toxicology reports that centuries ago, “nutmeg seeds were used in medicines as an aphrodisiac, abortifacient, anti-flatulent, a narcotic, and as an emmenagogue.”
Today, “nutmeg seeds are used for the treatment of hemorrhoids, chronic vomiting, rheumatism, cholera, psychosis, stomach cramps, nausea, and anxiety. Nutmeg seed oil also has antiseptic, analgesic, and anti-rheumatic properties.”
‘Flipping’ Teenagers
Back at school, several students had an extended March break.
The mother says, “Do you know why they all got suspended? Because these teenagers discovered you can use nutmeg to get high.”
She adds, “Is nothing sacred anymore?”
Have you ever heard of nutmeg as a drug? Share your thoughts with us and then share this story to spread awareness about using spices as drugs!
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