Myristica fragrans is a commonly consumed spice more colloquially known as nutmeg. Evidence suggests that nutmeg can affect the central nervous system through the serotonin and GABA systems and in this way may affect mood. Researchers have investigated the effects of nutmeg on animal models of mood and provided evidence that the plant may possess antidepressant effects. For example, in one study, researchers administered a hexane extract of nutmeg to mice and exposed them to experimental stress designed to elicit depressive-like symptoms. The results of the study showed that the extract was significantly effective at reducing the depressive-like symptoms in the mice, and this effect was comparable in effect to the pharmacological antidepressants imipramine and fluoxetine. There was no significant effect on locomotor activity in the mice suggesting the extract was not functioning to sedate the mice. Therefore nutmeg may possess phytochemicals that confer antidepressant effects on mammals.
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