Intoxication with nutmeg: A case presentation and analysis of Swiss poisons information center (Tox Info Suisse) enquiries 2014–2023
Toxicology Reports May 10, 2026 Amadea Bleisch, Selina Späni, Regina Schumann et al.
Ingesting large quantities of nutmeg can cause psychoactive and hallucinogenic effects. A 23-year-old man on long-term fluoxetine and quetiapine who ingested 75 g of nutmeg with suicidal intent developed tachycardia and mydriasis four hours later, became somnolent after about 14 hours, and all symptoms resolved spontaneously within 26 hours. Analysis of enquiries to the Swiss national poison information center from 2014 to 2023 identified 236 patients (51% female, ages 0–85). The highest number of enquiries (30) occurred in 2020 and 2021, coinciding with a TikTok nutmeg challenge and increased home baking during the COVID-19 pandemic. Nutmeg intoxications usually show a mild course, and incidence may be subject to social influences.