Salvia divinorum is an herb that comes from a leafy plant found in the Mazateca area of Mexico. The plant, sometimes referred to as "Diviner's Sage," has a psychedelic effect when its dried leaves are chewed or smoked due to Salvinorin-A, a psychotropic chemical contained in the plant. According to the website Salvia Center, the use of salvia divinorum regained its popular use as a recreational drug in the early 1990s. The effects of the use of salvia depend on the method of ingestion and the amount of the herb taken.
Altered Perception
Salvia divinorum alters perception by acting on the kappa opiate receptor area of the brain. The Center for Substance Abuse Research at the University of Maryland notes that there have been no long-term negative effects from the use of the herb but cautions that more study is needed. The herb has been shown to produce intense hallucinations similar to that of other psychedelic drugs. Some reported effects include sensations of flying through time and space as well as heaviness or lightness in the body. These effects can be felt within a minute when the herb is smoked and within 15 minutes when chewed, according to the website SageWisdom.
Visuals
The Center for Substance Abuse Research notes that if the drug is taken and the person's eyes are closed, intense visual hallucinations can occur. These include visuals of shapes and patterns that are visible only when the eyes are closed. When the eyes are opened or the subject's concentration is broken by a sudden noise, the visualizations end, according to the center.
Physical Effects
Although there has been little study of the long-term effects of salvia divinorum use, the Center for Substance Abuse Research reports that some of the physical effects of ingesting the herb are similar to other common symptoms of intoxication like a sense of dizziness, nausea, slurred speech and a lack of coordination. Subjects may also experience a slowed heart rate and chills while under the influence of salvia divinorum.
Member Comments
idahonwo May 10
Great article, it is good to find actual relevant information about salvia, as there is a lot of propaganda circulating the internet. I always got my salvia safely from www.freshsalvia.com, but there are some other good vendors as well.