A TikToker Drank 1 Bottle Nutmeg Spice. This Is What Happened To His Brain.
A young man consumed a large amount of nutmeg for a social media challenge, leading to severe health issues. He experienced dry mouth, hallucinations, a very fast heart rate, and confusion. Doctors discovered he had nutmeg poisoning and also low sodium levels in his blood (hyponatremia) because he drank too much water but couldn't urinate. This caused his brain to swell dangerously. Fortunately, doctors were able to treat him by giving him salty water to reduce the swelling, and he recovered, realizing the experience was not worth the online views.
Key Vocabulary
Fine particles of wood produced when cutting or grinding timber, often resembling a powdery texture.
Examples:
- The carpenter swept the sawdust into a neat pile after finishing the day's work.
- The floor of the old mill was covered in a thick layer of sawdust.
- She noticed the faint smell of sawdust as she walked through the lumberyard.
To put or go below the surface of water or another liquid.
Examples:
- He carefully submerged the delicate instrument in the cleaning solution.
- The submarine can submerge to great depths for extended periods.
- To properly clean the vegetables, you should submerge them in cold water for a few minutes.
Treated with smoke, gas, or fumes, typically to disinfect or exterminate pests.
Examples:
- The old house needed to be fumigated to get rid of the persistent insect infestation.
- After the pest control service fumigated the area, all the termites were gone.
- The historical documents were carefully fumigated to prevent further decay.
A salty, white, crumbly cheese made from sheep's or goat's milk, commonly used in Mediterranean cuisine.
Examples:
- She crumbled some feta cheese over her fresh Greek salad.
- The savory pastry was filled with spinach and feta.
- He enjoyed the tangy flavor of feta in the omelet.
An irregular or abnormal heartbeat, where the heart beats too fast, too slow, or with an irregular rhythm.
Examples:
- The patient's sudden chest pain was accompanied by an arrhythmia.
- Doctors monitored her heart for any signs of arrhythmia after the procedure.
- Stress can sometimes trigger a temporary arrhythmia in susceptible individuals.
A scientist who studies the harmful effects of chemicals on living organisms, including the diagnosis and treatment of poisonings.
Examples:
- The toxicologist was called in to analyze the unknown substance found at the scene.
- As a leading toxicologist, she often consults on cases involving environmental pollutants.
- He decided to pursue a career as a toxicologist after discovering his interest in chemical interactions within the body.
Having a rough, coarse, or granular texture.
Examples:
- The old photograph had a grainy quality due to the low resolution.
- The homemade bread had a delightful grainy texture from the whole wheat flour.
- She found the sand on the beach to be particularly grainy between her toes.
To speak indistinctly or mumble, often due to intoxication, fatigue, or illness.
Examples:
- His speech began to slur after a long and tiring day.
- The suspect's answers started to slur, making it difficult for the detective to understand.
- She noticed her words beginning to slur when she was extremely sleepy.
Having the same osmotic pressure as a particular fluid, especially as blood serum, so that it causes no net movement of water across a semipermeable membrane.
Examples:
- Athletes often drink isotonic beverages to replenish electrolytes lost during exercise.
- The medical solution was carefully prepared to be isotonic with the patient's blood.
- In a balanced environment, cells can maintain their shape in an isotonic solution.
A severe mental disorder in which thought and emotions are so impaired that contact is lost with external reality.
Examples:
- The medication helped to manage the patient's symptoms of psychosis.
- He experienced a brief episode of psychosis characterized by vivid hallucinations.
- The doctors were concerned about the potential for drug-induced psychosis.
This is a proper noun, a name given to the 19-year-old man in the context of the story.
Examples:
- GG decided to spend his afternoon working on a new project.
- Everyone at the party was surprised by GG's unexpected arrival.
- The team relied heavily on GG's expertise to solve the complex problem.
Parts of a chair, sofa, or seat designed to support a person's arms.
Examples:
- He leaned back in the comfortable armchair, resting his elbows on the soft armrests.
- The old office chair had worn-out armrests that needed to be replaced.
- She gripped the armrests of the roller coaster seat as it began to ascend.
The Latin name for sodium, often used in scientific and medical contexts, and represented by the symbol Na on the periodic table.
Examples:
- The chemical symbol for natrium is Na.
- Scientists sometimes refer to sodium as natrium in formal discussions.
- The compound contained a significant amount of natrium chloride.
The first letter of the Greek alphabet, often used to denote the first or most important item in a series, or a specific type or configuration of a chemical compound.
Examples:
- The alpha version of the software is now available for testing.
- He was considered the alpha male of the group, leading all decisions.
- The chemist identified the alpha-helix structure in the protein molecule.
Purified by a process of heating a liquid to create vapor, then cooling the vapor to condense it back into liquid, removing impurities.
Examples:
- She used distilled water for her scientific experiment to ensure purity.
- The alchemist attempted to create a distilled essence from the rare herbs.
- For the best results, the battery should be filled with distilled water.
To make something unclear, difficult to understand, or hidden from view.
Examples:
- The dense fog began to obscure the distant mountains.
- His complex explanation only served to obscure the simple truth of the matter.
- The old map contained obscure symbols that were hard to decipher.
Adjusted or altered slightly in an attempt to improve something.
Examples:
- The engineer tweaked the engine settings to achieve better fuel efficiency.
- She tweaked the recipe by adding a pinch more salt, making it perfect.
- He tweaked the guitar's tuning until each string sounded just right.
A substance that helps the body retain water by reducing the production of urine.
Examples:
- The antidiuretic hormone plays a crucial role in regulating water balance in the body.
- Certain medications can have an antidiuretic effect, leading to fluid retention.
- Doctors sometimes prescribe an antidiuretic to patients with excessive urination.
A taste that remains in the mouth after eating or drinking something.
Examples:
- The strong coffee left a bitter aftertaste that lingered for a while.
- She enjoyed the sweet aftertaste of the ripe berries.
- Some artificial sweeteners can leave an unpleasant aftertaste.
A condition that occurs when the level of sodium in the blood is abnormally low, which can lead to cells swelling.
Examples:
- Excessive water intake without adequate salt replenishment can lead to hyponatremia.
- The marathon runner was hospitalized with severe hyponatremia after drinking too much plain water.
- Symptoms of hyponatremia can include nausea, headache, and confusion.