One of the substances contained in nutmeg is myristicin. Its effects on the human body are documented by several scientific studies.
It is not yet clear what happened on New Year’s Eve at Amici Studios. It is unclear why five contestants of the talent show led by Maria De Filippi were guilty of behavior that the production considered serious and it is not even known why, at least according to the advances, two d ‘between them were then eliminated.
However, a theory is circulating on Twitter and in Amici-related news channels. Some competitors are said to have deliberately taken nutmeg powder, the spice that can be found in any supermarket and is usually used for sweets, sauces or hot drinks. Starting with the eggnog. A spice which, if consumed in large quantities, can also become toxic.
How was nutmeg born?
Nutmeg is a vegetable spice. The tree it comes from bears the scientific name Myristica Fragans and is native to Indonesia. Its fruits have a large stone which, once dried, becomes this nutmeg which is then grated and transformed into powder at the time of use. In supermarkets you can also find it already grated.
What is myristicin, the substance causing toxic effects
The flavor of nutmeg is sweet and aromatic. Inside this spice there is also a substance called myristicin. Once absorbed by the human body, it can produce a compound that triggers a reaction in the sympathetic nervous system. Healthline magazine has collected several scientific studies in which the effects of myristicin on the human body are analyzed. Effects that are considered similar to those of mescaline, the substance present in peyote, one of the most famous hallucinogenic plants in pop culture.
The effects of myristicin on the human body
In the scientific literature there are not many cases in which poisonings with nutmeg have been recorded. But something can be found. An 18-year-old woman reported symptoms such as nausea, tachycardia, dry mouth and dizziness after consuming a milkshake in which she had dissolved about 50 grams of nutmeg. Or. A 37-year-old woman experienced dizziness, confusion and dry mouth after ingesting just 10 grams. In both cases, the symptoms lasted for several hours and then disappeared without leaving any long-term sequelae.
In 10 years, the Illinois Poison Control Center has reported 30 cases of nutmeg poisoning, with several patients complaining of hallucinations as symptoms. When taken orally, the effects are more attenuated, so there is no problem of toxicity when taking nutmeg in small quantities. According to studies, however, the harmful effects become faster and stronger when this spice is inhaled or smoked.