Information On Salvia Divinorum

Salvia divinorum, also known as magic mint and diviner's sage, is a hallucinogenic herb that has been used in religious ceremonies by the Mazatec people of Mexico for hundreds of years. Salvia divinorum has become a popular mind-altering recreational drug, and a number of adverse effects have been reported by users, according to Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center.

Effects

Salvia divinorum is commonly ingested by drinking the plants' juice or chewing on fresh leaves. It can also be smoked or vaporized and inhaled, according to the National Institute on Drug Abuse, or NIDA. Users begin to experience the hallucinogenic effects within one minute, and they last up to 30 minutes. Users describe highly altered perception of reality and the self, says NIDA. Effects can differ dramatically depending on dose, strength and mindset of the user, explains an article in the September 8, 2008 issue of "The New York Times." Some describe the experience as intense, solitary and fearful, while others report a relaxing, dream-like state.

Adverse Effects

According to Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, adverse effects of Salvia divinorum include nausea, dysphoria, possible lung damage from inhaling and loss of appetite. An article in the July 2009 issue of the "American Journal of Psychiatry" describes a case of persistent psychosis following the use of Salvia divinorum. The patient exhibited paranoia, agitation, aggressive behavior, and belief of an ability to receive and project thoughts. There was no improvement after several months. It is suspected that Salvia divinorum activated the patient's predisposition to schizophrenia.

Legality

Regulation of Salvia divinorum varies from state to state in the United States. Several states have passed laws controlling its use even though it is not yet regulated by the Controlled Substances Act, explains NIDA. As of 2010, the Drug Enforcement Agency is considering classifying Salvia divinorum as a Class I drug, like LSD, and considers it a drug of concern. Possession or sale is a felony punishable by up to 15 years in prison in Florida, notes "The New York Times" article.

Popularity

The popularity of Salvia divinorum is increasing, according to an article by James E. Lange and colleagues in the April 2008 issue of "Drug and Alcohol Dependence." It reports that a random sample of college students at a large university found that 4.4 percent had used the drug. Other studies give estimates as high as 7 percent, according to "The New York Times" article. In 2008, the U.S. government reported that 1.8 million people had tried Salvia divinorum, with greatest use among males aged 18 to 25.

Warnings

According to "The New York Times" article, there have been rare and unconfirmed reports of deaths related to Salvia divinorum. One user fatally shot himself 10 minutes after taking the drug, although Salvia's role in the death has not been determined. Another user committed suicide after regularly using the drug several times per week, which caused Delaware to ban the use of Salvia divinorum. Because the drug causes marked intoxication, officials are concerned about users driving while under the influence. Some Salvia divinorum dealers advise having a "sober sitter" present to keep the user safe.