Salvia Divinorum is a psychoactive plant of the Camiaceae family. It is native to Oaxaca, Mexico and has a history with being used by Mazatec shamans during spiritual healing sessions. Salvia has been widely available since the 1990’s as an herb smoked for recreational use. Salvia is also known by the names Sage of the Seers, Magic Mint, and Diviner’s Sage amongst others. Salvia’s cost depends on the multiplier strength you buy but on average for a 10X strength costs $30 a gram. Salvia is difficult to categorize pharmacologically as it does not fit well into any existing class.
Legality
Salvia is legal in the UK and most of the world.
In the United States of America, salvia is not under the Controlled Substances Act however some states have passed their own laws to make it illegal such as Alabama and Ohio.
What is Salvia?
Salvia is psychoactive due to the chemical Salvinorin A, a psychotropic molecule with hallucinogenic, psychedelic and dissociative properties. Salvinorin A works by binding to kappa opioid receptors in the brain that influence human intellect and perception. Salvinorin A has the full chemical name:
Salvia is psychoactive due to the chemical Salvinorin A, a psychotropic molecule with hallucinogenic, psychedelic and dissociative properties.Salvinorin A works by binding to kappa opioid receptors in the brain that influence human intellect and perception. Salvinorin A has the full chemical name:
methyl (2S,4aR,6aR,7R,9S,10aS,10bR)-9-(acetyloxy)-2(furan-3yl)-6a, 10-dioxo dodecahydro-2H-benzo[f]isochromene-7 carboxylates Salvinorin A has a chemical formula as shown below:
C23H28O8
Effects of Salvia Addiction
The effects of salvia are different from that of alcohol. Salvia however is both similar and different from other drugs that affect the brain and behavior.
The duration of Salvia’s effects depends on how salvia is used. When smoked in a pipe or water pipe the effects come within a minute with a peak lasting 1 to 5 minutes then start reducing around 15 to 20 minutes. When Salvia is chewed on the effects are longer lasting. Using Salvia with a tincture is less common and the strength of effects depends on how strong the tincture is prepared.
Salvia’s effects include: uncontrollable laughter, strong recollection of past memories and sensations of motion including the feeling of being pulled or twisted. Salvia can also produce hallucinations and overlapping realities. After the peak effects, some report increased insight and improved mood, concentration and self-confidence.
Salvia addiction can also cause sweating, body heating, weird thoughts, confusion, short-term amnesia in the final stages of the ‘high’, lightheadedness and mind racing.
Some use a trip rating scale as such below:
Level 1 – ‘S’ = Subtle; relaxation and increased sensual appreciation
Level 2 – ‘A’ = Altered; altered perceptions of senses like touch, sight and hearing
Level 3 – ‘L’ = Light visionary state; hallucinations, usually 2-dimensional, yet not confused with reality.
Level 4 – ‘V’ = Vivid visionary state; 3-dimensional hallucinations which can be confused with reality. When eyes are closed the user may enter a dreamlike scene completely separate from reality.
Level 5 – ‘I’ = Immaterial existence; lack of awareness of self and even one’s body. Only consciousness remains but personality may change and/or thoughts may become lucid. Can be terrifying or pleasant.
Level 6 – ‘A’ = Amnesic effects; either consciousness is lost or the user is simply unable to remember what has happened. Often happens alongside complete loss of motor function shown by the user often falling down or thrashing around.
Salvia is reported to have little to no addictive potential and has no known long-term effects. Withdrawal effects from salvia addiction have not been reported. There appears to be no tolerance with Salvinorin A so users will experience the same level of effect with the same quantity constantly.
