There are three commonly household spices that can be abuse/misused or cause toxicity after exposure.

Pure vanilla extract contains at least 35% ethanol by volume per US Food and Drug Administration standards

• Results in alcohol intoxication
• Ingestion of 1.3 mL/kg in child will result in blood ethanol concentration of 100 mg/dL

 

Nutmeg contains myristicin – serotonergic agonist that possess psychomimetic properties. 

• Typical recreational dose: 5-30 gm. (tablespoon of ground nutmeg: 7 gm).

Clinical effects:

• GI symptoms: nausea, vomiting and abdominal pain
• Cardiovascular: hypertension and tachycardia
• CNS: hallucination, paranoia, seizure
• Others: flushing, mydriasis

 

Cinnamon contains cinnamaldehyde and eugenol – local irritants.

• Can cause contact dermatitis and ulceration from topical application
• Inhalation of cinnamon can result in chronic and significant pulmonary inflammation and fibrosis

References

Johnson-Arbor K et al. Stoned on spices: a mini-review of three commonly abuse housenold spices. Clin Toxicol (Phila) 2020

https://doi.org/10.1080/15563650.2020.1840579