Myristicin

Summary sheet: Myristicin

Myristicin
Chemical Nomenclature
Common names	Nutmeg
Substitutive name	Myristicin, 3-methoxy,4,5-methylenedioxy-allylbenzene
Systematic name	6-allyl-4-methoxy-1,3-benzodioxole
Class Membership
Psychoactive class	Deliriant
Chemical class	Phenylpropene / MDxx
Routes of Administration
WARNING: Always start with lower doses due to differences between individual body weight, tolerance, metabolism, and personal sensitivity. See responsible use section. ⇣ Oral Dosage Threshold 1 g Light 5 - 15 g Common 15 - 20 g Strong 20 - 30 g Heavy 30 g + Duration Total 12 - 72 hours Onset 3 - 8 hours Come up 1 - 4 hours Peak 9 - 12 hours Offset 12 - 48 hours After effects 24 - 72 hours DISCLAIMER: PW's dosage information is gathered from users and resources for educational purposes only. It is not a recommendation and should be verified with other sources for accuracy.
Interactions
Benzodiazepines
Depressants
Stimulants
Alcohol
Serotonin releasers
Oral Anabolic-Androgenic Steroids
Opioids
DXM
DPH

Myristicin is a phenylpropene, a natural organic compound which is classed as a deliriant, present in small amounts in the essential oil of nutmeg and to a lesser extent in other spices such as parsley and dill.^[1] It is believed that myristicin, along with elemicin, are the main psychoactive components found within nutmeg, responsible for its psychoactive properties.

Myristicin acts as an anticholinergic^{[citation needed]}, and has been shown to act on the endocannabinoid system.^[2] It is the traditional precursor for the psychedelic and empathogenic drug MMDA.

Nutmeg was reported to induce hallucinogenic effects, such as visual distortions and paranoid ideation. In the reports, nutmeg intoxication took several hours before maximum effect was reached. Effects and after-effects lasted up to several days. Raw nutmeg consists of 5-15% essential oil by mass. 4-8.5% of nutmeg essential oil, or 0.2-1.3% of raw nutmeg, is myristicin. One study found 20 grams of nutmeg to contain 210 mg myristicin.^[3] The dosage in the substancebox assumes that one is using nutmeg powder and not pure myristicin, as this is extremely uncommon.

Chemistry

Myristicin, also known as 3-methoxy,4,5-methylenedioxyallylbenzene, is a naturally occurring substance which belongs to a chemical class known as the phenylpropenes. It features a methylenedioxy ring at carbons R₄ and R₅ of the benzene ring. The benzene ring is also substituted with a separate methoxy group at the R₃ carbon, and an allyl chain at R₆ to make the main phenylpropene group.

Pharmacology

In 1963, Alexander Shulgin speculated myristicin could be metabolized to MMDA, a psychoactive drug related to MDA, in the liver.^[4] This, however, is unlikely due to the fact that no amphetamine metabolites were found in urine after the ingestion of myristicin.^[5] It is believed that myristicin is an anticholinergic, since, in overdose, it produces effects similar to anticholinergics^[6][7], but the exact mechanism of action has not been established. Myristicin is also found to be a serotonin receptor antagonist, while simultaneously acting as a weak MAO inhibitor.^{[citation needed]}

Elemicin

Elemicin is found in nutmeg alongside myristicin and contributes to its hallucinogenic effects. Elemicin is likely to have similar effects to myristicin. It is also the traditional precursor in synthesizing the alkaloid mescaline.^{[citation needed]}

Subjective effects

Disclaimer: The effects listed below cite the Subjective Effect Index (SEI), a literature based on anecdotal reports and the personal experiences of PsychonautWiki contributors. As a result, they should be treated with a healthy amount of skepticism. It is worth noting that these effects will not necessarily occur in a consistent or reliable manner, although higher doses are more likely to induce the full spectrum of effects. Likewise, adverse effects become much more likely with higher doses and may include serious injury or death.

In comparison to datura or diphenhydramine, its effects tend to be milder and, depending on the dosage, even be considered pleasant and euphoric. It has unique effects compared to other deliriants or hallucinogens. It also has a long, smooth and enjoyable come-up, where the effects build in a similar manner to cannabis. In addition to this, cannabis like effects throughout the duration have been reported among users of the substance which is likely due to the action of it on cannabinoid receptors. With higher doses, however, the deliriant effects become more pronounced.

Forms

Myristicin is found in nutmeg, nutmeg essential oil and to a lesser extent in parsley, dill and other plants.

Ground nutmeg powder

This is the most common form in which myristicin is sold, and it can be found in almost any supermarket as a spice.

It is worth noting that anecdotal reports suggest no clear guide on dosaging in this form. Myristicin degrades once it has been ground up, therefore it is impossible to know the potency of the powder, and the longer that the nutmeg stays as a powder, the weaker the myristicin content. When using store-bought nutmeg, the dose for oral consumption is generally considered to be:

• Light: 5 - 15g
• Common: 15 - 20g
• Strong: 20 - 30g
• Heavy: 30g+

Whole nutmeg

Whole nutmeg is also sold in most places as a spice.

• Light: 2 - 5g
• Common: 5 - 15g
• Strong: 15 - 20g
• Heavy: 20g+

Pure myristicin

Myristicin can be extracted from nutmeg powder by fractional distillation. When using pure myristicin, the dose for oral consumption is generally considered to be:

• Light: 50 - 200mg
• Common: 200 - 500mg
• Strong: 500 - 800mg
• Heavy: 800mg+

Experience reports

Anecdotal reports which describe the effects of this compound within our experience index include:

• Experience:3 drops of cinnamon bark oil/ 5 drops of german chamomile oil/ 2mL of nutmeg oil in lecithin - experiments with nutmeg oil
• Experience:4 tablespoons of Nutmeg
• Experience:Nutmeg (8 teaspoons) - My Mom Introduces Me To Genesis and Other Things

Additional experience reports can be found here:

• Erowid Experience Vaults: Nutmeg

Toxicity and harm potential

Myristicin is neurotoxic and can be fatal in extremely high doses.^[8]

Dangerous Interactions

Although many psychoactive substances are reasonably safe to use on their own, they can quickly become dangerous or even life-threatening when combined with other substances. The list below includes some known dangerous combinations (although it cannot be guaranteed to include all of them). Independent research (e.g. Google, DuckDuckGo) should always be conducted to ensure that a combination of two or more substances is safe to consume. Some interactions listed have been sourced from TripSit.

• Stimulants - Nutmeg puts a fair amount of strain on the cardiovascular system, adding stimulant drugs to the mix would only make things worse.
• Alcohol - Anecdotal reports suggest that small/medium amounts of alcohol can create some positive effects, however respiratory depression is a risk. Large amounts of alcohol should not be combined with myristicin in any circumstance.
• Opioids - Large amounts of opioids can lead to respiratory depression when taken with myristicin.
• Benzodiazepines
• DXM - While it is possible to take a very small dose of DXM with myristicin, it is highly risky and is generally seen to be dangerous.
• DPH - DPH is cardio toxic, combining it with myristicin could be fatal.
• Depressants - Respiratory depression is a risk when combining with depressant drugs, while a few anecdotal reports have shown little side effects, it is generally recommended against.
• Serotonin releasers such as MDMA, 4-FA, methamphetamine, methylone and αMT will cause serotonin syndrome. If planning to combine these two, proceed with great caution.

Tolerance and addiction potential

Myristicin is not known to be addictive and the desire to use it can actually decrease with use. It is mostly self-regulating.

Information regarding tolerance is unknown.

Legal status

Myristicin and nutmeg are both unscheduled in nearly all parts of the world and are commonly bought in form of either ground spice, essential oil or as whole nuts. Nutmeg is legal to purchase as a spice in the United Kingdom, however using it recreationally or extracting the myristicin is against the law.

See also

• Responsible use
• Deliriants
• Tropane alkaloids
• DPH

External links

• Myristicin (Wikipedia)
• Nutmeg (Erowid Vault)
• Myristicin (Isomer Design)

References