Salvia and Its Effects

What is Salvia?

Salvia (salvia divinorum) is a psychoactive sage plant that’s found in the mountainous regions of southwestern Mexico where it’s ceremonially used for its ability to alter consciousness.^1-3 Salvia is a dissociative, which is a type of hallucinogen that makes the user feel as if they are disconnected from their body and the environment.^4,5

Salvia leaves look similar to mint leaves.³ Dried or fresh leaves are typically chewed, smoked, or brewed into tea.^1,3

Street names for salvia include: shepherdess’s herb, diviner’s sage, maria pastora, magic mint, and Sally-D.^1,3

Salvia nor its active ingredient salvinorin A are scheduled under the U.S. Controlled Substances Act, however, several states have passed legislation controlling its use.^3,6 Salvia is often purchased online and is typically used by teenagers and young adults 18 to 25 years old.⁶

Effects of Salvia

Effects of salvia begin fairly quickly, often between 30 seconds and 10 minutes.⁵ Salvia produces hallucinations and changes in the visual perception, including seeing bright lights, vivid colors, shapes, as well as body movement or object distortions.^3,6 Individual experiences vary, but users typically experience a feeling of detachment from one’s body.^1,6 Changes in mood have also been reporting and may include increased talking, laughing, fidgeting and paranoia.^5,6

Effects typically last for approximately 30 minutes and generally less than 2 hours; the intensity and duration of its effects is dependent on dosage.^5,6

Adverse side effects may include:^3,5

• Loss of coordination.
• Confusion.
• Dizziness.
• Slurred speech.
• Sweating.
• Uncontrollable laughter.
• Paranoia.
• Increased heart rate.

At high doses, salvia can make a person completely dissociated and disoriented, which may induce harmful behavior or a loss of consciousness.^5,7 Persisting effects of anxiety and psychosis have been noted but does not appear to be common.^5-7 Memory impairment has also been reported following salvia use.⁸

Salvia Abuse and Treatment

Salvia is generally considered to have a low abuse potential, given its short duration of action and lack of an identified withdrawal syndrome.⁶ People who have used salvia have reported pleasant effects and positive experiences, however, which could lead to repetitive use.^6,7

Common signs of a substance use disorder due to salvia includes:

• Cravings and urges to use salvia.
• Unable to stop or cut down use of salvia.
• Taking increased amounts of salvia to achieve the desired effect.
• Spending more time and money to obtain, use, or recover from salvia.
• Being unable to manage responsibilities at home, work, and school.
• Continued use of salvia, even if it is causing problems with relationships.
• Missing work, school, or social activities because of salvia use.
• Continued use of salvia, even after harmful consequences.
• Continued use of salvia, even if it aggravates physical or psychological issues.
• Experiencing withdrawal symptoms when going without salvia.

Behavioral therapy can be used to treat addiction to dissociative drugs like salvia.¹

Help is just a phone call away. If you or someone you love is struggling with addiction and are unsure of what to do, call us today at . Greenhouse Treatment Center, American Addiction Centers’ inpatient rehab in Dallas, is ready to help you get the treatment you need today.

References

1. Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration & Office of the Surgeon General. (2016). Salvia. Facing Addiction in America: The Surgeon General’s Report on Alcohol, Drugs, and Health.
2. Diaz J. L. (2013). Salvia divinorum: A psychopharmacological riddle and a mind-body prospect. Current Drug Abuse Reviews, 6(1), 43–53.
3. S. Drug Enforcement Agency. (2020). Drugs of Abuse: A DEA Resource Guide: 2020 Edition.
4. National Institute on Drug Abuse. (2015). Research Report: Hallucinogens and Dissociative Drugs.
5. Miller, S. C., Fiellin, D. A., Rosenthal, R. N., & Saitz, R. (2019). The ASAM Principles of Addiction Medicine, Sixth Edition. Philadelphia: Wolters Kluwer.
6. Mahendran, R., Lim, H. A., Tan, J. Y., Chua, S. M., & Winslow, M. (2016). Salvia divinorum: An overview of the usage, misuse, and addiction processes. Asia-Pacific Psychiatry, 8(1), 23–31.
7. Baggott MJ, Erowid E, Erowid F, Galloway GP, Mendelson J. Use patterns and self-reported effects of Salvia divinorum: An internet-based survey. Drug Alcohol Depend. 2010;111(3):250?256.
8. MacLean, K. A., Johnson, M. W., Reissig, C. J., Prisinzano, T. E., & Griffiths, R. R. (2013). Dose-related effects of salvinorin A in humans: Dissociative, hallucinogenic, and memory effects. Psychopharmacology, 226(2), 381–392.
9. Diagnostic and statistical manual of mental disorders: DSM-5. (5th ed.). (2013). Washington D.C.: American Psychiatric Association.