Step 1 : Introduction to the question " What common spice can be used as an hallucinogen? "
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Nutmeg is a hallucinogen.
Today, nutmeg is used in the kitchen to add a little zing to baked goods and cool-weather drinks, though at various times in history it’s been used for fragrance, medicine and its psychotropic properties.
Myristicin, a chemical compound found in high concentrations in nutmeg, but also produced in other foods like parsley and carrots. Myristicin is able to cause hallucinations by disrupting the central nervous system, causing the body to produce too much norepinephrine, a hormone and neurotransmitter, that transmits signals among nerve endings. While the idea of conjuring illusions of the mind might sound intriguing, nutmeg intoxication also comes with a litany of unpleasant side effects, including dizziness, confusion, drowsiness, and heart palpitations.
Nutmeg’s inebriating effects have been noted since the Middle Ages, when crusaders would ingest large amounts to inspire prophetic visions (and to help with travel-related aches and pains). Medieval doctors and pharmacists with the Salerno School of Medicine noted that it needed to be used carefully, warning that “one nut is good for you, the second will do you harm, the third will kill you”. Doctors today say may have been an exaggeration.
In fact, nutmeg is a vitamin-rich source of antioxidants and can even act as a mood booster. It is perfectly healthy as long as it’s used in small quantities.
More Info:
www.healthline.com
Step 2 : Answer to the question " What common spice can be used as an hallucinogen? "
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