World production[edit]World production of nutmeg is estimated to average between

10,000 and 12,000 tonnes (9,800 and 12,000 long tons; 11,000 and 13,000 short t
ons) per year, with annual world demand estimated at 9,000 tonnes (8,900 long to
ns; 9,900 short tons); production of mace is estimated at 1,500 to 2,000 tonnes
(1,500 to 2,000 long tons; 1,700 to 2,200 short tons). Indonesia and Grenada dom
inate production and exports of both products, with world market shares of 75% a
nd 20% respectively. Other producers include India, Malaysia (especially Penang,
where the trees grow wild within untamed areas[citation needed]), Papua New Gui
nea, Sri Lanka, and Caribbean islands, such as St. Vincent. The principal import
markets are the European Community, the United States, Japan and India. Singapo
re and the Netherlands are major re-exporters.
Medical research[edit]Nutmeg has been used in medicine since at least the sevent
h century. In the 19th century it was used as an abortifacient, which led to num
erous recorded cases of nutmeg poisoning. Although used as a folk treatment for
other ailments, unprocessed nutmeg has no proven medicinal value today.[12]
One study has shown that the compound macelignan isolated from Myristica fragran
s (Myristicaceae) may exert antimicrobial activity against Streptococcus mutans,
[13] and another that a methanolic extract from the same plant inhibited Jurkat
cell activity in human leukemia,[14] but these are not currently used treatments
.
Psychoactivity and toxicity[edit]Effects[edit]In low doses, nutmeg produces no n
oticeable physiological or neurological response, but in large doses, raw nutmeg
has psychoactive effects. In its freshly ground form (from whole nutmegs), nutm
eg contains myristicin, a monoamine oxidase inhibitor and psychoactive substance
. Myristicin poisoning can induce convulsions, palpitations, nausea, eventual de
hydration, and generalized body pain.[15] It is also reputed to be a strong deli
riant.[16]
Fatal myristicin poisonings in humans are very rare, but two have been reported:
one in an 8-year-old child[17] and another in a 55-year-old adult, the latter c
ase attributed to a combination with flunitrazepam.[18]
In case reports raw nutmeg produced anticholinergic-like symptoms, attributed to
myristicin and elemicin.[17][19][20]
In case reports intoxications with nutmeg had effects that varied from person to
person, but were often reported to be an excited and confused state with headac
hes, nausea and dizziness, dry mouth, bloodshot eyes and memory disturbances. Nu
tmeg was also reported to induce hallucinogenic effects, such as visual distorti
ons and paranoid ideation. In the reports nutmeg intoxication took several hours
before maximum effect was reached. Effects and after-effects lasted up to sever
al days.[15][21][22][23][24][25][26][27][28][29]
Myristicin poisoning is potentially deadly to some pets and livestock, and may b
e caused by culinary quantities of nutmeg harmless to humans. For this reason, i
t is recommended not to feed eggnog to dogs.[30]