About Herbs

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.

Mind-altering effects
Anecdotal reports from users.

Depression
There is one report that Salvia divinorum in effective 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.

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.

Consumption of Salvia divinorum may result in loss of consciousness.

Hallucination

Nausea

Dizziness

Physical Exhaustion

Lung damage (when inhaled)

Salvia, Diviner's sage, magic mint, Maria Pastora, sherpherdess' herb

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⁾. Salvinorin A, a naturally occurring hallucinogenic found in the plant, is believed to be a potent kappa-opioid receptor agonist ⁽⁶⁾. Recently, Salvia divinorum has become a popular mind-altering recreational drug widely available through the internet ^{(2) (3)}. 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.

Recreational use

Depression

Drug addiction

Stress management

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⁾.

Salvinorin A is absorbed through the mucosa of the mouth and the lungs.

May alter the analgesic effects of other opioids.

Gonzales D, Riba J, Bouso JC, et al. Pattern of use and subjective effects of Salvia divinorum among recreational users. Drug and Alcohol Dependence. IN PRESS May 20, 2006.
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.

1. Siebert DJ. Salvia divinorum and salvinorin A: new pharmacologic findings. J Ethnopharmacol, 1994;43(1): 53-6.
2. 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.
3. Gonzalez D, Riba J, Bouso JC, et al. Pattern of use and subjective effects of Salvia divinorum among recreational users. Drug Alcohol Depend, 2006.
4. Hanes, K. R. Antidepressant effects of the herb Salvia divinorum: a case report. J Clin Psychopharmacol, 2001; 21(6): 634-5.
5. Prisinzano TE, Tidgewell K, Harding WW. Kappa opioids as potential treatments for stimulant dependence. AAPS J, 2005;7(3): E592-9.
6. 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.