What Are The Effects Of Salvia Divinorum?

Salvia divinorum entered the limelight in popular culture for its controversial recreational use as a psychoactive substance. Salvia divinorum is illegal in more than a dozen U.S. states, in part due to government and parental concern about its growing popularity. Historically, Salvia divinorum, an herbaceous plant native to Mexico, was prized by the Mazatec Indians of Oaxaca for its role in divination and religious ritual.

Immediate Effects

The effects of ingesting Salvia divinorum are similar to other psychoactive substances, such as LSD, but the duration of the immediate effects is only a few minutes. In its review of Salvia divinorum, the U.S. Department of Justice lists the immediate effects as "perceptions of bright lights, vivid colors and shapes, as well as body movements and body or object distortions." Salvia divinorum also impairs motor coordination and could be quite dangerous if ingested while operating heavy equipment or vehicles. Usually, however, users have no inclination to move around during the strongest effects.
The active ingredient in Salvia divinorum is thought to be Salvinorin A, a kappa-opioid receptor agonist with a known dissociative effect on the mind. A 2006 article published in the journal Drug and Alcohol Dependence describes the dissociative effects as "a highly modified perception of external reality and the self, leading to a decreased ability to interact with oneself or with one's surroundings." This includes the temporary loss of self, the sense of overlapping realities, or the merging of the sense of self with other objects. Immediate mood effects span the emotional spectrum, from temporary depression and uncontrollable laughter to profound existential disbelief.

After-effects

Salvia divinorum also consistently brings about a set of after-effects that can last for several hours after ingestion. University of California researcher Mark Baggott reported in 2004 that common sensations include increased insight, improved mood, increased concentration and increased feelings of connection with "nature" or "the universe." A minority of subjects in Baggott's study group of 500 users reported experiencing worsened mood and decreased self-confidence.

Long-term Effects

Because Salvia divinorum has not been studied extensively, long-term effects of use are unknown. However, other kappa-opioid agonists have been found to have a long-term depressive mood effect on users, as reported by a 2000 study published by the Journal of Substance Abuse Treatment. There is no evidence of addiction or withdrawal symptoms, although researchers have noticed "hang-over" effects in some users, according to the earlier cited 2006 study in the Journal of Substance Abuse Treatment. Psychiatrists have shown interest in studying Salvia divinorum because other kappa-opioid agonists have medical uses treating drug addiction, so more research will clarify the danger of Salvia divinorum for long-term use.