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Salvia divinorum

Salvia divinorum
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Plantae Division: Magnoliophyta Class: Magnoliopsida Order: Lamiales Family: Lamiaceae Genus: Salvia Species: divinorum
Binomial name
Salvia divinorum

The primary active hallucinogenic chemical is known as Salvinorin-A, but Salvia contains other diterpenes, Salvinorins B-F and Divinatorins A-C. Recent research has shown that Salvinorin A is a selective agonist of the kappa opoid neuroreceptors, a set largely ignored by other known drugs^1,2. It is unknown at this time whether the powerful effects of S. divinorum can be attributed in whole (or even in part) to kappa agonism. Salvia Divinorum is an extremely powerful drug, but generally controllable.

Table of contents

1 Usage and Effects 1.1 Traditional Use 1.2 Vaporization and Smoking 1.3 Subjective Effects 2 Chemistry 3 Legal status 4 Botany 5 References 6 External links

Usage and Effects

Vaporization and Smoking

Salvinorin is not very concentrated in the salvia leaves, and the body metabolizes salvinorin relatively quickly; therefore one must smoke a great quantity of salvia leaves in a short amount of time to experience any effects from the drug. Many people have therefore prepared fortified salvia leaves for smoking; that is, leaves to which a concentrated extract of salvinorin-A has been added, in order to minimize the overall amount of smoking required.

Subjective Effects

Most people perceive a small dose as clearing the mind and impairing coordination; many find a small dose useful for meditation. Consciousness is retained until the very highest doses, but body control, awareness of externalities, and individual personality disappear at modest ones.

Large doses have more dramatic effects. Taking a moderate to large dose (which requires smoking an extract of Salvinorin-A) induces a trancelike state, in which the user may experience fully formed visions of other places, people, and events. "Bad trips" are rare but do happen. The effects do not last long relative to most recreational drugs, with the main experience lasting only 5 minutes and generally ending completely within 10.

About 10% people seem to be unaffected by Salvia.

Chemistry

The active constituent is believed to be a chemical called salvinorin-a, C₂₃H₂₈O₈. Its presence in the body is not detectable by current drug tests. It appears not to habituate. After repeated exposure, some users report a sensitization, where less of the chemical is required to produce the same subjective effects.

Salvia seems to have somewhat of a disassociative effect, and like other dissociatives, hallucinations are perceived most often only in a dark room or closed eye environment.

Legal status

The general public became increasingly aware of salvia in 2002. As of June 1, 2002, Australia became the first country to ban salvia and salvinorin. [1], [1] In late 2002, Rep. Joe Baca (D-California) introduced a bill in the United States House of Representatives to schedule salvia as a controlled substance, and the DEA has indicated on its web site that it is aware of salvia and is evaluating the plant for possible scheduling.

Civic and government action to ban salvia is often characterized as a knee-jerk reaction to what they perceive as yet another evil drug coming along to steal the minds of the innocent, gullible youth. Press accounts of efforts to ban salvia often quote law enforcement and government officials who exhibit a grossly inaccurate knowledge of the drug's effects, and frequently characterize the "high" as "chewable marijuana", or as identical to LSD and PCP [sic]. [1], [1]

Botany

For the most part, the fate of the species lies with a very small number of clone plants. Of these few clones, there are only two that are in any kind of public circulation; the Wasson/Hoffman strain, and the Blosser ("Palatable") strain. The former is a strain discovered by those whose name the plant bears, when on a visit to the Mazatecs. The latter is the same case, in regards to name, and was discovered in Oaxaca; it is called "Palatable" as well, as it is said to have more palatable leaves when ingested orally than those of the Wasson/Hoffmann strain.

References

1. Chavkin C, Sud S, Jin W, Stewart J, Zjawiony JK, Siebert DJ, Toth BA, Hufeisen SJ, Roth BL Salvinorin A, an active component of the hallucinogenic sage salvia divinorum is a highly efficacious kappa-opioid receptor agonist: structural and functional considerations J Pharmacol Exp Ther. 2004 Mar;308(3):1197-203
2. Roth BL, Baner K, Westkaemper R, Siebert D, Rice KC, Steinberg S, Ernsberger P, Rothman RB Salvinorin A: a potent naturally occurring nonnitrogenous kappa opioid selective agonist Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A. 2002 Sep 3;99(18):11934-9

• Salvia-Flash.ch - Pics, FAQ, Forum, Shop
• Erowid Salvia Divinorum Vault
• Lycaeum page on Saliva Divinorum
• The Salvia divinorum Research and Information Center
• The Entheogen Forum
• Spirit Plants Salvia Fourm

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