A Georgia mother recently shared a clip on TikTok warning other parents of kids getting baked by sniffing a common spice found in your kitchen cupboard.
The now viral video explains that teenagers are tripping out on nutmeg, a spice used to flavor both savory and sweet goods, which also delivers a poisonous “nutmeg intoxication.”
Keep reading to learn more about the psychoactive substance, which when consumed in large quantities, can be hazardous and potentially fatal.
On March 11, a mother, who goes by the handle Lakeview Living on TikTok, shared a now viral video, addressing both teenagers and parents about a new sniffing trend.
The clip, seen by almost 600,000 internet users, is captioned: “Really guys?! NUTMEG?! Where do they come up with this stuff??”
In the buzzworthy post, the mother says: “Today, I was talking with one of my teacher friends and she was like, ‘Girl, trying to stay one step ahead of these kids is exhausting.’”
Describing it as “flipping wild,” she explains that during a “backpack check,” teachers discovered some students were carrying little bottles of nutmeg.
To avoid being verbally battered, students claimed the spice was for “culinary class.”
But, when the teacher discussed the pumpkin pie spice with the culinary instructor, she replied: “What are you talking about? We’re not making anything with nutmeg.”
The surprised mom then goes onto explain that the school’s “resource officer” overheard the conversation and before suspending the crafty kids involved, he confiscated the sweet nutty substance.
Roasting the resourceful but slothful teens, the mother adds: “Y’all can’t get your homework done, but you can figure out how to get high off of nutmeg? Make it make sense.”
MMDA
According to Medical News Today, when consumed it large quantities (two teaspoons), a person gets a “‘high’ similar to that of some hallucinogenic drugs. The name for this is nutmeg intoxication.”
Nutmeg contains a chemical compound called myristicin and when it’s consumed, it’s metabolized by the body, forming the psychedelic drug, methylenedioxyamphetamine (MMDA).
“People with nutmeg intoxication experience a variety of symptoms, including drowsiness and hallucinations.”
Nutmeg poisoning can also be hazardous and potentially fatal.
‘Anarchist Cookbook’
The woman’s followers, many also parents, expressed their concern for spice sniffing.
“This has been a thing for years. There’s a substance in it that is psychoactive but not in a fun way. You get the worst hangover of your life for a 10 min high,” one TikToker shares.
A mother, praising teachers for keeping an eye of her kids – all of the generation that succeeds Gen Z – adds: “As a mom of [four] Gen Alpha…I am so thankful for teachers and their patience with my babies. Bc no way.”
Others share that nutmeg sniffing isn’t new. “Class of 2002 it was so popular in my school they had to do a PSA about how toxic nutmeg can be if you use too much,” writes one.
A second says: “Nutmeg was popular when I was like 12… someone done talked to Gen X!”
“Gen X’er here – The Anarchist Cookbook of course,” a third jokes.
Meanwhile, one netizen offers her experience with a child had nutmeg poisoning: “I took care of a kid years ago at the hospital for nutmeg intoxication. It was the first time I’d heard of it. Started in jails. But they have internet, so I’m sure that’s where they learned it.”
It didn’t start in prisons, use of nutmeg as a drug started long before inmates learned of its hallucinogenic powers.
The Encyclopedia of Toxicology reports that centuries ago “nutmeg seeds were used in medicines as an aphrodisiac, abortifacient, and anti-flatulent, a narcotic, and as a means to induce [menstruation].”
Today, “uses of nutmeg seeds include treatment of hemorrhoids, chronic vomiting, rheumatism, cholera, psychosis, stomach cramps, nausea, and anxiety. Nutmeg seed oil also has antiseptic, analgesic, and antirheumatic properties.”
‘Flippin’ teenagers’
Back at the school, several students had an extended March Break.
@lakeviewliving Really guys?! NUTMEG?! Where do they come up with this stuff?? #nutmeg #school #middleschool #highschool #high #adulting #teacher #teachersoftiktok
The mother says: “You know why they’re all suspended? Because these flippin’ teenagers have figured out you can use nutmeg to get high.”
She adds: “Is nothing sacred anymore?”
Have you ever heard of nutmeg as a drug? Please share your thoughts with us and then share this story so we can spread the word about locking up spices!