Salvia extract is a concentrated substance derived from the plant salvia divinorum. Though about a thousand different species of salvia exist, salvia divinorum is unique through its psychoactive and hallucinogenic properties. While it is often regarded as a beautiful houseplant, salvia divinorum is also grown for human consumption to achieve an altered state of consciousness.
Basic Information
Salvinorin A is the chemical responsible for the psychoactive properties of salvia and salvia extracts. While this chemical is extremely potent, only small amounts are present in the salvia leaf. Salvia extracts, however, are available in various concentrations and have varying degrees of potency of Salvinorin A. To create the extracts, Salvinorin A is withdrawn from the leaves of one salvia plant and infused to the dried leaves of another. Salvia extracts can range anywhere from 5 to 80 times the normal potency of salvia leaf and are referred to in terms of potency. Thus, a "20x" salvia extract would be 20 times as potent as the plain plant matter. Salvia extracts are primarily smoked, but can also be chewed like chewing tobacco.
Effects
The effects of salvia extracts depend on the potency of the extract and vary significantly. For example, with "5x" salvia extract, the user may feel a subtle relaxation and sensuality or may feel nothing remarkable at all. However, for an "80x" extract, the user will likely become immersed in a trance or dream-like state with visual and sometimes audible hallucinations. At high concentrations, motor functions are significantly impaired--the individual may fall down or become extremely disoriented, and in some cases may have no recollection of his experience at all. Regardless of the dosage taken, the effects of the salvia experience will be short. When chewing, the effects will take around 30 minutes to peak and may last for up to an hour. Smoking is much faster, with the effects occurring within a minute of inhalation and lasting about 5 to 10 minutes.
Risks
While its properties and effects may be extreme, the chemical Salvinorin A is surprisingly safe for human consumption. Many studies have found that Salvinorin A is remarkably nontoxic. No documented overdoses due to salvia use exist, and it's not physically addictive. Because of the nature of its effects, it is not typically used as a party drug or for frequent recreational use. However, the dangers of using salvia extract irresponsibly are quite severe. Attempting to operate any machinery or drive while under the effects of salvia can prove dangerous and even fatal. For this reason, it is always recommended that every salvia experience be accompanied by a "sitter," or someone who watches over the others during their experience.
History
Salvia divinorum has been used for centuries in tribal ceremonies and shamanistic rituals as a vehicle to healing and spiritual enlightenment. Its introduction to the modern world came in the early 1960s when it was discovered in Mexico by a group of anthropologists led by R. Gordon Wasson, a pioneer in the use of hallucinogenic mushrooms. Samples of the plant were taken from its native habitat for further study, and by 1963, it was officially documented as a new species by UCLA professor Carl Epling. Salvia extracts are relatively new to the history of salvia divinorum. The chemicals Salvinorin A and Salvinorin B were first extracted from the plant in 1984, and extracts of Salvinorin A became commercially available a short time after. Recently, salvia extracts have gained increased exposure due in part to their availability over the Internet, and have become somewhat of a staple hallucinogenic in the drug counterculture.
Legality
Part of the rise in the popularity of salvia divinorum and its extracts is due to the lack of legal risks for users. In the U.S., salvia is legal in most of the country. As of May 2010, however, in Delaware, Louisiana, Florida, Illinois, Kansas, Kentucky, Tennessee, Mississippi, Missouri, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, South Dakota, and Virginia, salvia divinorum is a controlled substance with legal repercussions if trafficked or used. While salvia is also legal in most of the world, many countries have laws restricting its sale or possession, and others ban it outright. It is always recommended to check local laws before attempting to purchase or use salvia.
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