In article <27n598$kq3@ratatosk.uninett.no> joachim@kih.no (joachim lous) writes:
>Jens Plahte (jplahte@hedda.uio.no) wrote:
>> Hi there!
>
>> I'm writing a thesis at the University about nutmeg production, and I've been told that the Myristicine, which is one component of the nutmeg oil, is a drug.
>
>> Is there anybody out there with som Myristicine/nutmeg experience who could share some of their knowledge with me?
\subsection*{Nutmeg}
{\it Myristica fragrans}, a tropical evergreen tree found in East and
West Indes. Contains a number of methylenedioxy-substituted compounds,
including myristicin (3-methoxy,4,5-methylendioxy-allylbenzene, and a non-amine
precursor of 3-methoxy-4,5-methylenedioxyamphetamine), elemicin, and safrole
(specifically 3,4-methylene-dioxyallylbenzene, and a non-amine precursor
of 3,4-methylenedioxyamphetamine). It also contains elemycin, eugenol,
and methyleugenol \footnote{Weill, Andrew. Nutmeg as a Narcotic. 1965. 19(3),
194-217.}.
Myristicin constitutes about two thirds of the aromatic ether
fraction, but it cannot account entirely for the psychoactivity of nutmeg. A
400-mg dose of myristicin, almost twice the amount present in 20 gm
of nutmeg (20 gm being assumed to be the quantity required to
produce psychotropic effects) produces only mild effects\footnote {Schultes
and Hofmann. The Botany and Chemistry of Hallucinogens. p. 121}. The author is
am not aware of any trial involving an accurate mix of all of the
known aromatic ethers. Those occurring at more than 10 mg per 20 g
are myristicin (210 mg), elemicin (70 mg), safrole (39 mg),
methyleugenol (18 mg), and methylisoeugenol (11 mg). Safrole is
probably not psychoactive, so elemicin might be worth investigating,
thought it is doubtful that it alone can account for the activity.
The only known mechanism of metabolization of these compounds is the
detoxification of safrole to piperonylic acid, a reaction which also
shows the capability of oxidizing olefinic side chains. If this same
degenerative process will act on myristicin, or elemicin, then a
possible intermediate (a vinyl alcohol) could undergo transamination
producing 3,4,5-trimethoxyamphetamine, which is known to have similar
effects.
Whatever it is that causes the psychotropic effect, it is known that
various terpenes enhance the absorption. 5-20 grams of the ground
nutmeg may be ingested for mild intoxication lasting about twelve hours
and followed by deep sleep. May cause temporary constipation and
difficulty in urination, nausea, increased fat deposits on liver, etc.
Beneficial as a spice but not recommended in large amounts as a
hallucinogen. Safrole may be carcinogenic, and is definitely a hepatotoxin
in larger amounts.
--
"C'est un Nagra. C'est suisse, et tres, tres precis."
