“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!