The ancient plant Salvia is leaving the garden and making a modern-day entrance as a hallucinogenic, and prompting new research into the effects of its use on the human brain. It’s the subject of numerous YouTube videos showing people smoking the substance, as well as reports of celebrity use.
Recent studies from Johns Hopkins University are also exploring the effects of Salvia as experts attempt to further clarify the dangers that can occur from smoking the plant, and to determine legal regulations to prevent recreational drug use. The drug is currently under consideration for bans in several states.
The key ingredient in Salvia – scientifically known as Salvia divinorum – is salvinorin A. The plant is part of the mint group of herbs, and has been used in ancient spiritual practices and in landscape settings. Recent emergence of numerous online videos showing people smoking Salvia and then acting in bizarre ways is helping spur the research into its effects and the exploration of laws surrounding its use.
Salvia is available at boutique drug shops or online, but is currently banned in at least 12 states, and has been listed among some of these states as a Schedule I hallucinogenic drug, similar to LSD. Several other states have enforced restrictions to keep Salvia out of the hands of minors. Symptoms for Salvia use include hallucinations, spells of dizziness and speech problems.
Researchers with the Johns Hopkins University team studied how smoking Salvia in 20 sessions, spread out over eight to 12 weeks, affected volunteer participants who had used hallucinogenic drugs before. Participants’ heart rates and blood pressure rates were evaluated for changes, and they were asked to rank the Salvia’s strength. Two participants said the Salvia produced a level “10,” or very high effect.
Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine assistant professor of psychiatry, and lead author on the Salvia study, Matthew Johnson, Ph.D., said that prior to this study, research for how Salvia impacts people has been unscientific and based on observation of online videos. Published in Drug and Alcohol Dependence, researchers said that while the study sample was not large, the research does suggest that use of Salvia could be deadly if the user tried to drive or engage in other activities.
Also of concern, say researchers, is the report by study participants that they experienced an intense sensation of not being present, almost like entering another dimension – which is different than reports of how people react to other hallucinogens. In some cases, the feeling of disconnect or anxiety may be so great that users will not desire to experiment with the drug again in the future.
Funded by the National Institute on Drug Abuse, the Johns Hopkins Study also revealed that Salvia seems to produce a very intense but not long-lasting effect on users, and that the effects of the drug become stronger as more of the plant is smoked or breathed in. Salvia can also be consumed by chewing the leaves.
Salvia is under consideration for national banning as a federal Schedule I controlled substance, although the drug has been placed behind other drugs like methamphetamines on some legislators’ agendas. Additional concern comes from studies showing that teens that experiment with herbal-based drugs like Salvia have a much higher likelihood of trying other drugs, such as cocaine.
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