Salvia divinorum
Salvia divinorum, also known as Diviner's sage or magic mint, is a hallucinogenic herb that primarily affects the brain's kappa-opioid receptors, leading to experiences of dissociation and synesthesia. Traditionally, this plant was used by Indigenous peoples in southern Mexico for religious ceremonies, allowing them to connect with higher powers. In recent years, it has gained popularity, particularly in the United States, where it is often used for recreational purposes, partly due to its availability online and the perception of safety associated with its short-lived effects.
Salvia can be consumed in various forms, including fresh or dried leaves, and its psychoactive effects typically last less than thirty minutes when smoked. While it is not considered addictive, users may experience intense hallucinations that can lead to heightened anxiety or panic in some cases. The legal status of Salvia divinorum varies widely; it is banned in many states and countries, while remaining unregulated in others. As interest in its potential therapeutic applications grows, so do concerns about its accessibility, particularly to younger individuals. The long-term effects of Salvia divinorum are not well understood, and ongoing discussions about its health impacts and regulation continue in the public sphere.
Subject Terms
Salvia divinorum
ALSO KNOWN AS: Diviner’s sage; magic mint; mystic sage; sadi; Sally-D; ska Maria Pastora
DEFINITION: The herb Salvia divinorum stimulates kappa-opioid receptors in the brain, causing hallucinogenic effects such as dissociation and synesthesia. The leaves of the plant are available fresh, dried, and in aerosol preparations.
STATUS: Illegal in several countries and banned in many parts of the United States (US), although unregulated nationally
CLASSIFICATION: Drug or chemical of concern
SOURCE: Few restrictions on its sale in US states where the plant is not banned; also available for purchase on the Internet
TRANSMISSION ROUTE: Chewed, snorted, and smoked
History of Use
Salvia divinorum was first used by Indigenous peoples in the mountains of southern Mexico for religious purposes. To the Mazatec people, its use allowed transcendence and communion with higher powers. In the twenty-first century, salvia became the most commonly used hallucinogen in the US, although for recreational and not spiritual reasons. Its increased use has been linked to the availability of information about it on the Internet, to the belief that it is fairly safe, to its legality in many parts of the world, to its potent and short-lived hallucinogenic effects, and to its being undetectable in routine drug tests.
Effects and Potential Risks
Salvia’s psychoactive component, salvinorin A, selectively activates a specific type of opioid receptor, the kappa-opioid receptors (KOR). These are found in several areas of the central nervous system, including the hypothalamus, the claustrum, the central gray matter of the midbrain, and the spinal cord. A few minutes after stimulation, KORs cause vivid dissociative effects, including depersonalization and sensory confusion. Additionally, KOR stimulation decreases one’s sensation of pain and increases urination and perspiration. The effects of smoked salvia typically last fewer than thirty minutes. If chewed, the effects can persist for about one hour.
There does not appear to be a significant risk of addiction with salvia. Salvinorin A has no affinity for the mu (µ) opioid receptors, which are stimulated by substances such as heroin and morphine and have been implicated in the reward system that drives addiction. Some studies have suggested that salvia might be used to treat opioid addiction, as it reduces the craving for drugs such as cocaine in animals.
Although nonaddictive, salvia is not harmless. Its vivid hallucinogenic effects can be unpleasant and can produce heightened anxiety or panic, though this is not necessarily common; a 2015 study of the effects of salvia on thirty participants found that only two had a "bad trip." Other negative symptoms include paranoia, disorientation, thought blocking, and mental slowing. Moreover, because it is a non-water-soluble compound, the long-term effects of salvia are unpredictable. In the first three decades of the twenty-first century, there have been efforts in several US states to ban salvia, largely due to the proliferation of social media videos of people using salvia and worry about salvia getting into the hands of young users. Salvia remains legal with no restrictions in sixteen US states. In California, Maine, and Maryland, salvia is legal but with age restrictions. Thirty-one US states have banned salvia completely. The long-term effects of salvia have not been studied. Saliva’s legal status, its impact on health, its potential for therapeutic use, and its increased media presence remain issues surrounding the drug.
Bibliography
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