From: neal@cmptrc.lonestar.org (Neal Howard)
Newsgroups: alt.drugs
Subject: Re: Info. on nutmeg
Summary: NUTMEG INFO
Date: 23 Jul 92 23:35:14 GMT
Organization: CompuTrac Inc., Richardson TX

In article <1870@sheoak.bcae.oz.au> 781101@redgum.bcae.oz.au (100) writes:
>I have been reading a bit about the use of nutmeg as a drug. However, it
>is clear that most reports/posts contradict one another in relation to
>the active substituents, effects, dosage, dangers etc. Does anyone know
>some real FACTS about the use of this substance. I myself have used it a
>couple of times; both times I used already-ground 'meg bought in a tin,
>and took 50g both times. As far as I'm concerned, the effects were just
>like a mild hash buzz. The only hallucinations I had were slight
>auditory, like people talking in the background.
>  I have also heard reports of using the active components (myristicin
>I think) as a reagent in the synthesis of other psychoactive drugs. Is
>this true, and if so, how easy is it to do. I am studying Organic Chem.,
>so any reaction mechanisms etc will be handy. If you can help, please
>e-mail me. Thanx...
>Dave.
>781101@redgum.ucnv.edu.au

Here is some info you may find interesting about nutmeg. First of all, 
there are three main oily substances contaned in the nutmeg. The first is
called alpha-pinene (better known as turpentine), which will make you 
more sick than high, with dehydration, and a terrible hangover. The next 
two are called SAFROLE (oil of sassafrass) and MYRISTYCIN (oil of nutmeg).
Oil of sassafrass is CARCINOGENIC!!! and is very chemically similar to the
illegal psychaoctive amphetamines known MDA (methylene dioxy amphetamine)
and MMDA (methylene dioxy methamphetamine, better known as ecstacy - the
disco drug)- they all have 3,4-methylenedioxy phenyl functional groups on
the left hand side of the molecule. The safrole molecule looks like
phenylethylamine on the right hand half and MDA and MMDA have an amphetamine
structure on their right hand halfs. The presence of the amphetamine portion
on MDA and MMDA causes these molecules to interfere with the natural
reactions in the body normally performed by epinephrin and nor-epinephrin
neurotransmitters and phenylalanine (an essential amino acid). Myristycin
is chemically similar to another illegal psychoactive amphetamine known
as MDMMA (3,4 methylene dioxy, 5-methoxy methamphetamine), better known 
on the street as "EVE". The toxicity and cancer causing properties of these
two substances are not very well known. MDA, MDMA, and MDMMA are all three
known to kill off the cells in the human brain's hypothalamus which generate
the neurotransmitter dopamine, which eventially results in Parkinsonism.
Even after a single dose of MDMA, laboratory chimps have been tested and the
reduction of dopamine is startling... and it never returns to original
levels. Therefore be well advised not to experiment with these substances,
you are really risking your future health. One note of curiosity, the island
of Greneda is the world's largest producer of nutmeg. At the time of Reagan's
invasion of Greneda, the flow of illegal Ecstacy into the southern US was at 
a very high level according to the news media at that time. There was a 
medical university(with laboratories sufficient for producing this drug),
and the government there at that time was of dubious intent. Do you think 
there may have been other motives for the invasion than what we were told
by our own governmment and the media? Makes you kinda wonder.

Neal "Psycho" Howard
neal@cmptrc.lonestar.org