Nutmeg and caffeine are natural substances that are used for different purposes. Nutmeg is a spice made from the hard seed from a nutmeg tree. Certain products naturally contain caffeine, which is a stimulant. These two substances have the potential for abuse when taken in large quantities, although the actual effects and any potential side effects are not known.
Nutmeg Identification
Nutmeg is a relatively common spice grown on trees native to Indonesia and the Caribbean. Nutmeg was once the most valuable spice because it was difficult to obtain. Nutmeg has a spicy and sweet flavor. Common uses for nutmeg include spicing up your pumpkin pie, apple pie, eggnog or eggs. You can also add nutmeg to pasta, vegetables or potatoes. Nutmeg contains myristicin, a natural compound that can cause hallucinations if ingested in large quantities.
Caffeine Identification
Approximately 80 to 90 percent of adults and children in North America consume caffeine, according to John Hopkins Bayview Medical Center. Although widely available, caffeine is a drug that has been shown to alter mood. Different plants including coco, tea and cola nut naturally contain caffeine. Because of the popularity of the drug, some manufactures add caffeine to their beverages or foods as well. Low doses of caffeine provide positive effects, such as pleasant mood, happiness, arousal and alertness.
Intoxication
Both caffeine and nutmeg can cause intoxication. Users sometimes combine the drugs for intoxication effects. Nutmeg intoxication can cause hallucinations, and the effects can last one to two days. Nutmeg also has severe side effects, such as vomiting and diarrhea. Heart and nerve problems can also develop when taking nutmeg. Despite the intoxicating effects of nutmeg, the Food and Drug Administration does not plan to regulate the spice. Caffeine intoxication often occurs after you ingest more than 500 milligrams of the stimulant. Intoxication includes pressured speech, insomnia, tremors, agitation and abnormal heart rhythms.
Precautions
Caffeine intoxication generally causes uncomfortable side effects. However, very large doses of caffeine, more than 5 grams, can be lethal. Caffeine has a short half-life, so the effects are short-lived and there are no lasting consequences following caffeine intoxication. Nutmeg intoxication is serious and might be fatal in people with certain conditions. Fatalities can occur because the hallucinations are not experienced until hours after ingesting nutmeg, leading some users to take more.
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