LSD can be taken by mouth or injected in the veins, and the effects last much longer (about 12 to 24 hours). Salvia, scientifically known as Salvia divinorum, is a plant native to 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.

Recovery Literature

• Salvia is controlled under Schedule IV of the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act.
• Under the influence of salvia, users may lose their ability to differentiate between reality and hallucination.
• But it was also used medicinally for the management of issues like headaches, diarrhea, upset stomach, rheumatism and anemia.
• Missouri, Oklahoma, and Delaware have ruled salvia a Schedule I controlled substance.
• Recreational use of salvia has been a concern because it contains the strongest naturally-occurring hallucinogen.

Many more states have proposed regulations to make salvia illegal. Unfortunately, it is difficult to detect salvia misuse and abuse because it looks like an ordinary plant, has no odor, and is easy to grow. Rehabilitation and mental health support are essential for individuals struggling with Salvia use, particularly those experiencing psychological dependence or underlying mental health issues. Rehab centres provide structured treatment, including detox, behavioural therapies like CBT, and group support, helping individuals address triggers and build healthier coping mechanisms.

Salvia: What are the effects?

She also works with individuals facing self-esteem issues and anxiety using a trauma-informed approach. In India, stigma around mental health often prevents people from seeking help. Culturally sensitive approaches and family involvement are critical in creating a supportive recovery environment. Seeking help is a courageous step toward recovery and a healthier future. Because salvia isn’t controlled by the Controlled Substances Act, individual states have to decide whether or not salvia use is allowed.

But it was also used medicinally for the management of issues like headaches, diarrhea, upset stomach, rheumatism and anemia. These potential benefits of salvia have not been tested on humans yet, so there’s no clear answer about its effects and proper dosage. Get you or your loved one help for addiction or mental health issues today. While salvia is legal in some areas, its use and possession are restricted in many states and countries. Being caught with the substance in a regulated area can lead to fines, criminal charges, or other legal repercussions.

Helping families and individuals worldwide find hope from addiction and mental illness. Although an extremely rare event, Salvia toxicity may occur in subsets of patients especially those with psychiatric disorders (e.g. pica) and evoke different manifestations including abdominal or cardiac abnormalities. In conclusion, the present case highlighted possible pharmacological effects related to an excessive intake of S. Officinalis with many constituents of this plant exhibiting prominent anti-AChE effects. Salvia has been tested as possible therapeutic compound in several conditions, e.g. Animal and human studies confirmed that thujone can exert neurotoxic effects interacting with the γ-aminobutyric acid A receptor, thus causing excitation and convulsions in a dose-dependent manner.

The active ingredient, salvinorin A, attaches to the opioid receptors in the brain. Acting at the KOR, or kappa opiate receptor site, the compound alters the user’s ability to perceive reality. People may find the herb appealing because of the hallucinations it produces. Mind-altering chemicals like salvia and LSD may cause psychological dependence, in which drug-induced moods become more attractive than daily life, and users can’t quit using. Drugs may help someone avoid personal troubles or address untreated psychological illnesses.

Physical Side Effects

Most people use a bong, a water pipe for smoking marijuana, to inhale crystalline salvia via a glass tube. The plant has a three-foot-tall shrub with enormous green leaves, square hollow stalks, and white blooms. Salvinorin, a hallucinogenic entheogen also referred to as a neoclerodane diterpene, is the main component of Salvia divinorum. Furthermore, you require at least 200 and 600 micrograms of salvinorin, primarily present in the plant’s leaves, to produce different consciousness states.

Is Salvia Abuse Related to Its Psychoactive Properties?

They can provide helpful details on facilities and treatments to help those battling a salvia dependency. In some places, salvia is a “legal high,” a recreational drug that does not fall under any of the government classifications of illegal drugs. There are concerns that can salvia kill you salvia may affect a person’s thinking, choices, and mental health. The effects were comparable to other hallucinogens but short-lived. The drug’s dosage and strength vary from person to person, and the period may vary depending on the quantity consumed.

• People have reported visions of a woman or sacred objects during hallucinations.
• Although these effects, or “the high,” can be short-lived, some people may experience a salvia “high” for several hours.
• Rehab centres provide structured treatment, including detox, behavioural therapies like CBT, and group support, helping individuals address triggers and build healthier coping mechanisms.

Note that the numbers in parentheses (1, 2, etc.) are clickable links to these studies. This Dr. Axe content is medically reviewed or fact checked to ensure factually accurate information. If you or someone you know is impacted by salvia use, contact our team at 12 South Recovery.

Salvia is a plant with powerful hallucinogenic properties that is commonly recreationally abused and can cause dangerous side effects. If you use salvia or have considered trying it, it’s a good idea to know what the drug is, what the potential risks are, and what you can expect when you take it. Residential treatment centers provide 24/7 therapy for drug addiction and alcoholism. First, have a medical and psychological checkup, then engage with specialists to create a personalized treatment plan that addresses all your difficulties. Others wrap fresh or dried stems or leaves in tobacco sheets and smoke them gently. Again, although the research isn’t totally clear at this point, reports suggest that when it comes to the addictive qualities of salvia, and salvinorin A, it doesn’t appear to be a threat.

This makes it an unpredictable substance, especially for those unfamiliar with its power. This blog aims to answer these questions, offering insights into Salvia’s effects, potential dangers, and the importance of informed decisions. Whether you’re curious about the herb or seeking support for substance use, understanding Salvia is the first step toward promoting safety and awareness. During ceremonies, indigenous shamans chewed the fresh leaves or brewed them into teas. These rituals often aimed to address physical or spiritual ailments, offering what was believed to be divine guidance.

Tom Prisinzano, a chemist at the University of Kansas, concludes that salvia is generally non-addictive since addiction alters mu-receptors. You may purchase salvia dry or fresh leaves, seeds, leaf extract, or cuttings. Although salvia is often compared to LSD and similar psychedelic substances, users typically experience different feelings. Both provide hallucinogenic effects but contain different chemicals that activate different receptors in the body.

Combining these substances can amplify their effects on the central nervous system, leading to unexpected and intensified reactions. This combined impact might result in respiratory depression, cardiovascular complications, or other life-threatening symptoms. Based on current research, the addictive potential of Salvia remains uncertain, though it possesses potent hallucinogenic properties. Nonetheless, the Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA) labels Salvia as a “drug of concern” because of its possible misuse. Scientific research on Salvia is ongoing, and its effects can vary greatly among users.

Although not as many teens and young adults have been using salvia in the past, its availability is still attractive to those not old enough to get other legal or illegal substances. You will also gain a better understanding of why it is believed to be dangerous, along with measures you can take to avoid potential addiction. Our patient, a man in his thirties, purchased Salvia through a website on the Internet, where it was sold as ‘plant food’ and in packets labelled according to four ‘strengths’ – 0, 5, 10 and 20.