Divinorum’s origin and history, uses, effects, and potential for abuse and addiction will be discussed. There will also be resources and information about treatment for dependency on or addiction to the substance and recovery for individuals who need help. Although salvia doesn’t appear to be physically addictive, its psychological effects and potential for harm are real. Adolescents and young adults may be especially drawn to salvia due to its legal status and portrayal in popular media. This can lead to risky experimentation without a full understanding of its impact. Salvia possession and use are legal in some states, and it is not considered a controlled substance.
The Mazatec also roll fresh salvia leaves into a cigar-like “quid.” They suck or chew the quid without swallowing, and so they absorb the drug from the mouth lining into the bloodstream. They refer to the leaf as “Herb of Mary, the Shepherdess.” They believe the plant to be an incarnation of the Virgin Mary. People have reported visions of a woman or sacred objects during hallucinations.
Currently, the Drug Enforcement Authority in the US considers S. Divinorum to be a “drug of concern” and has been monitoring reports of Salvia abuse – assessing whether it should be declared as a controlled substance due to its potential for abuse. Even with this, though, it is not currently regulated by the federal government and is not listed under the Controlled Substances Act (CSA). The substance itself and its active component, however, are controlled to some degree by 37 states in the United States (as per 2010 data).
- Hallucinogenic smoking leaves include Salvia divinorum and other plants used for their mind-altering effects.
- Whether someone is struggling with a hallucinogen, opioids, alcohol, or another substance, our team is here to provide compassionate, evidence-based care tailored to individual needs.
- Addiction experts do not classify salvia as an addictive substance.
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It must be noted that because there is limited research on this particular drug, more studies are needed to fully assess its dangers as all of Salvia’s effects are still not known. It is also not known whether the substance has addictive properties and if there is a risk for Salvia addiction. The native shamans of the Sierra Mazateca have been using different types of S. Divinorum plants to provoke characteristic hallucinogenic euphoria effects. The usage of the plant has been linked to religious experiences, meditation, and spiritual and physical healing.
What are the hallucinogenic smoking leaves?
Plants of this genus grow all over the world and the specie of S. Today’s, it has been naturalized throughout the world particularly in Europe and North America.1, 2, 3 The aerial parts of S. Officinalis shrub has a long history of use in cookery and traditional medicine.
Mental Health
They may also chew fresh salvia leaves or consume the extract in a drink or vaporizer pen. Smoking or vaporizing salvia typically produces stronger effects. Smoking the dried leaves typically does not produce side effects. If you or someone you love struggles with salvia abuse or other forms of substance use, you are not alone. Effective, holistic treatment is available at First Step Behavioral Health. In this article, we find out what salvia is, how it works, and explain the effects and risks of taking it as a recreational drug.
That said, it is known for its psychedelic effects, which means it can cause visual and auditory hallucinations. All of the information on this page has been reviewed and verified by a certified addiction professional. By clicking “Submit,” you certify that you have provided your legal name and phone number, agree to the terms and conditions and privacy policy, and authorise Paid Advertiser to contact you. You consent to receive SMS notifications and promotions from Paid Advertiser.
On salvia, the brain undergoes sudden disruptions in communication between neurons, causing hallucinations, panic, detachment, and impaired memory. Prolonged abuse may increase risks of psychological withdrawal symptoms. The salvia high is often described as a short, intense hallucinogenic experience.
In addition to the above mentioned effects, a number of other biological actions such as activating benzodiazepine receptors and inhibiting pentylenetetrazole-induced seizure have been shown for S. Officinalis in literature.63, 108 The possible therapeutic applications for these effects of S. Also, future works is necessary to understand the exact molecular mechanisms responsible for S. If you or someone you care about is struggling with salvia use, it’s essential to seek professional support.
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On the other hand, blockade of muscarinic and nicotinic receptors by scopolamine and mecamylamine, respectively, attenuated this effect.81 In addition, S. Officinalis has been reported to inhibit acetylcholinesterase activity.89, 90 To date, inhibitors of acetylcholinesterase are the leading therapeutics of Alzheimer’s disease and S. Officinalis might be a promising source for developing therapeutic agents for this disease.
This molecule is the most potent naturally occurring hallucinogen currently known. Unlike other psychoactive substances that interact with serotonin receptors, salvinorin A targets the kappa-opioid receptor in the brain. This unusual mechanism contributes to its unpredictable and often intense effects. Salvia, scientifically known as Salvia divinorum, is a plant native to salvia drug overview the cloud forests of southern Mexico. Traditionally, the Mazatec Indigenous people used it in spiritual rituals, believing the plant could facilitate divine insight and healing. Unlike other hallucinogens, salvia contains salvinorin A, which interacts with the brain’s kappa opioid receptors, triggering intense, short-lived hallucinations.
Risk Factors for Abuse
Mazatec Indians have used salvia for centuries for spiritual divination, shamanism, and medical practices. Salvia has become popular as a recreational drug among adolescents and young adults. It is fast acting and thought to have a low incidence of side effects.
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- Officinalis as an antinociceptive, hypolipidemic, and memory-enhancing medicinal plant has been confirmed with clinical trials.
- People may experience hallucinations and other effects while using salvia.
- Occurring in damp, moist, and shady areas, this unique plant has some distinctive psychedelic and psychoactive effects when consumed in any way.
- They may also chew fresh salvia leaves or consume the extract in a drink or vaporizer pen.
Experimental and clinical studies on pharmacological properties of S. Officinalis are presented and discussed in the following sections. It’s thought that this ingredient attaches to the nerve cells in your body to create a variety of hallucinogenic effects. Fresh leaves aren’t considered very potent when chewed, but some people may experience a mild effect. Unlike substances like alcohol or opioids, salvia is less likely to lead to chronic use.
All calls are confidential, and the information on AddictionResource.com is for informational purposes only and not a substitute for professional medical advice. For additional treatment options, visit the SAMHSA Treatment Locator. Divinorum can also be developed, so it is possible that individuals who use this substance frequently may have to take higher doses or larger amounts to achieve the same effect as they had when they first started using it. And the same goes for LSD, a hallucinogen that is most often compared with S.