Health Care Professional Information
Scientific Name
Salvia divinorum
Common Name
Salvia, Diviner’s sage, magic mint, Maria Pastora, sherpherdess’ herb
Clinical Summary
Salvia divinorum, a type of sage, has been cultivated by the Mazatec people of Mexico for centuries for use as a hallucinogen during religious ceremonies. Chewing or smoking the leaves can cause depersonalization, visual changes, altered perceptions, and feelings of metamorphosis into objects (1). But it was also reported to have antidepressant effects (4). Further research is needed. Salvinorin A, a naturally occurring hallucinogenic found in the plant, is believed to be a potent kappa-opioid receptor agonist (6).
Salvia divinorum has also gained popularity as a recreational drug and is widely available through the internet (2) (3). Analysis of the 2006-2008 United States National Surveys on Drug Use and Health indicates an 83% increase in the number of salvia users; salvia use was common among active drug users (11). Salvia was also among the top five products marketed via the Internet in the UK in 2009 (12).
There are adverse effects reported due to abuse. Some states have considered legislation to ban consumption of this herb and it is illegal in Australia, Finland and Denmark. Salvia divinorum should not be confused with the other sages used for cooking and medicinal purposes, such as the common sage, Salvia officinalis.
Purported Uses
- Recreational use
- Depression
- Drug addiction
- Stress management
Constituents
- Salvinorin A
- Salvinorin B
- Sugars
- Fatty acids
- Sterols
- Vitamins
(2)
Mechanism of Action
Salvinorin A, the active ingredient in Salvia divinorum, is a kappa opioid receptor agonist. It is a naturally occurring psychoactive compound and is being investigated as a treatment for diseases that produce hallucinations, such as schizophrenia and dementia (1). Salvinorin A can also regulate dopamine levels and has been suggested as a potential treatment for stimulant abuse (5). Salvia divinorum may help to alleviate depression (4).
Pharmacokinetics
Salvinorin A is absorbed through the mucosa of the mouth and the lungs.
Adverse Reactions
- Use of Salvia by itself or in combination with alcoholic beverages and other drugs can cause neurologic, cardiovascular, and gastrointestinal effects (7).
- Psychosis (8)
- Case report: A 15-year-old man with a history of salvia and marijuana use needed emergency psychiatric service following acute onset of mental status changes characterized by paranoia, blunted affect, thought blocking and slow speech (9).
- Case report: Smoking salvia has been implicated in the death of a 21-year-old man (10).
Herb-Drug Interactions
May alter the analgesic effects of other opioids.
Literature Summary and Critique
Gonzales D, Riba J, Bouso JC, et al. Pattern of use and subjective effects of Salvia divinorum among recreational users. Drug and Alcohol Dependence 2006 Nov 8;85(2):157-62
Descriptive data was gathered from self-report questionnaires given to 32 users of Salvia divinorum. History of drug use, history and pattern of use of Salvia, and subjective descriptions of the experience were examined. The vast majority of volunteers reported using multiple recreational drugs including alcohol (93.7%); cannabis (96.9%); ecstasy (88%); cocaine (84%); amphetamines (69%); opiates (56%); benzodiazepines (36%); and GHB (9%). Most had begun taking Salvia recently (88% within the last year). Smoking was the preferred method for delivery (75%). When describing the experience following use of Salvia, 88% felt onset of effects within one minute. In written descriptions of the best and worst aspects of using Salvia, 40% described entering another reality, 28% laughed and felt happy; 6.4% felt out of control.
References
- Siebert DJ. Salvia divinorum and salvinorin A: new pharmacologic findings. J Ethnopharmacol, 1994;43(1): 53-6.
- Giroud C, Felber F, Augsburger M, et al. Salvia divinorum: an hallucinogenic mint which might become a new recreational drug in Switzerland. Forensic Sci Int, 2000;112(2-3): 143-50.
- Gonzalez D, Riba J, Bouso JC, et al. Pattern of use and subjective effects of Salvia divinorum among recreational users. Drug Alcohol Depend, 2006.
- Hanes, K. R. Antidepressant effects of the herb Salvia divinorum: a case report. J Clin Psychopharmacol, 2001; 21(6): 634-5.
- Prisinzano TE, Tidgewell K, Harding WW. Kappa opioids as potential treatments for stimulant dependence. AAPS J, 2005;7(3): E592-9.
- Chavkin C, Sud S, Jin W, et al. Salvinorin A, an active component of the hallucinogenic sage salvia divinorum is a highly efficacious kappa-opioid receptor agonist: structural and functional considerations. J Pharmacol Exp Ther, 2004;308(3): 1197-203.
- Vohra R, Seefeld A, Cantrell FL, Clark RF. Salvia divinorum: exposures reported to a statewide poison control system over 10 years. J Emerg Med. 2011 Jun;40(6):643-50.
- Przekop P, Lee T. Persistent psychosis associated with salvia divinorum use. Am J Psychiatry. 2009 Jul;166(7):832.
- Singh S. Adolescent salvia substance abuse. Addiction. 2007 May;102(5):823-4.
- Wills K, Paddock B. NY Daily News. http://www.nydailynews.com/ny_local/2011/03/08/2011-03-08_smoked_salvia_before_leaping_to_death.html. Updated March 8, 2011. Accessed July 25, 2011.
- Wu LT, Woody GE, Yang C, Li JH, Blazer DG. Recent national trends in Salvia divinorum use and substance-use disorders among recent and former Salvia divinorum users compared with nonusers. Subst Abuse Rehabil. 2011 Apr;2011(2):53-68.
- Schmidt MM, Sharma A, Schifano F, Feinmann C. “Legal highs” on the net-Evaluation of UK-based Websites, products and product information. Forensic Sci Int. 2011 Mar 20;206(1-3):92-7.
Consumer Information
How It Works
Bottom Line: Salvia divinorum is a mind-altering herb that has major adverse effects. It is illegal in some states and recreational use should be discouraged.
The active component of Salvia divinorum is a compound known as Salvinorin A. This has been shown to act on the nervous system to produce altered mental states.
Purported Uses
- Mind-altering effects
This is only supported by anecdotal reports. - Depression
There is one report of Salvia divinorum's effectiveness in treatment-resistant depression. More studies are needed. - Drug addiction
Based on the chemistry of Salvia divinorum, some scientists have suggested using the herb to treat addiction to other drugs, such as cocaine and amphetamines. Large scale clinical trials have yet to be conducted to support this use.
Research Evidence
In laboratory and animal studies, Salvinorin A has been shown to affect certain pain receptors in the nervous system.
In a survey of 32 Salvia divinorum users, mind-altering symptoms, such as “entering another reality”, “laughed and felt happy”, and “felt out of control” were reported.
Side Effects
- Use of Salvia by itself or in combination with alcoholic beverages and other drugs can cause neurologic, cardiovascular, and gastrointestinal effects.
- Psychosis
- Case report: A 15-year-old man with a history of salvia and marijuana use needed emergency psychiatric service following acute onset of mental status changes characterized by paranoia, blunted affect, thought blocking and slow speech.
- Case report: Smoking salvia has been implicated in the death of a 21-year-old man.
Last updated: September 28, 2012
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