Just recently, a critic of Mishpachah Lev-Tsiyon (NCCG) sent me the following interesting private message on Yahoo Messenger (I was using the Trillian chat client):

Session Start (drumpler:bookman392): Fri Aug 25 16:54:17 2006
[16:54] bookman392: When you were in Sweden, did you notice if Chris and family used alot of nutmeg in their cooking?
[16:54] *** Auto-response sent to bookman392: I am currently idle.
[17:08] *** "bookman392" signed off at Fri Aug 25 17:08:46 2006.
[17:47] drumpler: Why?
[18:07] bookman392: I am doing some research into a couple of groups/families that have similarities theologically and two of them used Nutmeg alot in cooking.
[18:23] bookman392: Nutmeg had psychoactive properties when used in cooking.
[18:23] *** Auto-response sent to bookman392: I am currently idle.

The person in question is responsible for supplying NCCG_Concern the following e-mails on this page. It is likewise on that page that Chad Z. makes an indirect accusation against me (of course, the quote he quotes me as saying is taken out of context).

I did some quick research on Wikipedia and found what Chad stated about nutmeg to be correct (actually, I did the reasearch right before his remark at 18:07 PM and it just confirmed that the reason he was asking was to see whether or not Mr. Warren was poisoning himself, his family and/or his members using nutmeg). The Wikipedia entry under "nutmeg" has the following to say:

In low doses, nutmeg produces no noticeable physiological or neurological response. Large doses of 7.5 g or more are dangerous, potentially inducing convulsions, palpitations, nausea, eventual dehydration, and generalized body pain. In amounts of 1.0 g or more it is a mild to medium hallucinogen, producing visual distortions and a mild euphoria. Nutmeg contains chemicals called MAO inhibitors(MAOIs) which disable the brain's ability to stop amines, found in most common foods, from affecting the brain and body. A test was carried out on the substance which showed that, when ingested in large amounts, nutmeg takes on a similar chemical make-up to MDMA (ecstasy). However, use of nutmeg as a recreational drug is unpopular, because of its strong taste and sand-like texture. Also there are potential painful physical side effects, the risk of Nutmeg Psychosis (see below) and the inconveniently long span for which the effects of a single dose can persist. A user will not experience a peak until approximately six hours after ingestion, and effects can linger for up to three days afterwards. Any unpleasant side-effects would persist throughout this period.

A risk of any large-quantity ingestion of Nutmeg is the sudden onset of Nutmeg Psychosis, an acute psychiatric disorder marked by hallucinations, excitement, thought disorder, a sense of impending death and agitation. Some cases have resulted in hospitalization and reportedly few who have experienced the effects of nutmeg poisoning recommend it or repeat the experience.

Even in smaller doses, Nutmeg can still be toxic. Ingestion of as little as 5 g may cause dry mouth, fast pulse, fever and flushing. It has amphetamine-like effects and may lead to the ingestion of large volumes of water. There is no specific antidote; the adverse effects wear off after 24 hours (or more) of rest.

Nutmeg is extremely toxic when injected intravenously. Nutmeg can also cause liver damage if used regularly in large quantities. Nutmeg has in the past been used as an abortifacient. Nutmeg may also be fatal if used regularly in large quantities, but this is not a problem while cooking, since small amounts are used.

What I find incredibly laughable is the extremes our critics will go to try to discredit us. There is nothing on our sites, IMs or the like which even suggests we use large quantities of nutmeg. I don't. And I know Warren's family doesn't. They detest it.

It is for this reason I am terming Chad and others who use his methods as "nutmeg psychotics". They are literally grasping for straws to try to discredit us and not even seeking to know nor understand why it is we believe what we believe. May this article serve as a reminder to not jump to conclusions in order to discredit an "opponent".