Salvia
Salvia divinorum is a plant species in the sage genus native to the cloud forests of Oaxaca, Mexico, containing the potent compound salvinorin A.1 Used traditionally by Mazatec shamans for spiritual healing and divination, it produces short but intense dissociative and hallucinogenic effects when smoked or chewed.12 Salvinorin A is the most potent naturally occurring hallucinogen3 and is structurally unique among psychoactive compounds, being a diterpenoid rather than an alkaloid.32 High doses can produce bizarre, potentially terrifying experiences.
Dosage & Duration
Dosage
Releasing salvinorin A from plant material requires temperatures near 240 °C, so an intense flame such as a torch lighter is often used. Concentrated extracts are labelled with multiplicative factors (e.g. 5x, 10x), but no accepted standard exists for these claims and potency varies with the starting leaf and extraction efficiency, making dose per inhalation unpredictable. Salvinorin A is present in dried Salvia divinorum plant material at approximately 0.18% concentration.4 Effects are short but very intense, and higher doses frequently produce disorienting or frightening scenarios; a sober sitter and a safe, quiet setting are advised.
Duration
Subjective Effects
Effects vary widely by individual, dose, and context.
Physical
Cognitive
The general head space of salvia is described by many as one of extreme cognitive suppression and strong feelings of confusion. This substance is best described as a drug that does not create profound personal insights, just profound and interesting experiences.
Visual
Distortions
When a user keeps their eyes open throughout the duration of a moderate to strong trip, a number of open eye distortions are usually present. These are significantly more simplistic than distortions found with other classes of hallucinogens.
Geometry
At moderate to high dosages with darkness or closed eyes, once the user has become disconnected from their body, a full array of level 1-4 hallucinatory structures becomes present. This is distinctively different in style to other dissociatives and significantly more likely to be based on mathematical constructs such as vast and elaborate fractals.
Hallucinatory States
Salvia produces a full range of high level hallucinatory states in a fashion that is just as consistent as that of classical psychedelics.
Auditory
The auditory effects of salvinorin A are common in their occurrence.
Pharmacology
Pharmacodynamics
Salvinorin A, the principal psychoactive constituent of Salvia divinorum, is a structurally unique trans-neoclerodane diterpenoid that acts as a potent and selective κ-opioid receptor agonist.3 Unlike classical hallucinogens such as LSD, psilocybin, and mescaline, salvinorin A has no action at the 5-HT2A serotonin receptor.3 Research indicates it is also a potent D2 receptor partial agonist, which may contribute significantly to its effects.5 The compound additionally shows activity at CB1 cannabinoid receptors, particularly in inflamed gut tissue where it exhibits antispasmodic properties through a prejunctional mechanism.6 Salvinorin A is notable for being the most potent naturally occurring hallucinogen by mass, with activity at doses as low as 200 μg, and is the first documented diterpene hallucinogen.3 It contains no nitrogen atoms, distinguishing it structurally from alkaloid-based opioid receptor ligands and other naturally occurring hallucinogens.3
Pharmacokinetics
Salvinorin A is inactivated by the gastrointestinal system, meaning that alternative routes of administration are necessary to improve its absorption. It can be absorbed through the oral mucosa.7 It is metabolised through deacetylaction, delactonation and glucuronidation.8
Interactions
An unlisted combination is an unknown one, not a safe one. Check a dedicated combination chart before mixing.
Tolerance
Harm Potential
Addiction & Dependence
Psychological
Extremely LowSalvia divinorum does not appear to produce psychological dependence or compulsive redosing patterns.9 The often challenging and dysphoric nature of the experience may actually discourage repeated use.9
Physical
Extremely LowNo evidence of physical dependence or withdrawal symptoms has been documented with salvia use.1011
Toxicity
Inhaling hot vapor produced by heat guns or other high-temperature methods can irritate and potentially damage lung tissue;12 this risk is specific to certain administration methods rather than the substance itself.
Psychosis Risk
Salvia can produce intense, bizarre, and otherworldly experiences that may be extremely confusing or terrifying, particularly at higher doses. Users commonly report panic, fear, paranoia, and a sense of encountering hostile or sinister presences.1013 These acute psychological effects typically resolve as the short-acting substance wears off.13 One controversial case has been cited linking salvia use to depression and subsequent suicide, though no other cases have been reported alleging salvia as a serious factor in suicide or death.14
History & Culture
Indigenous Use and Traditional Context
Salvia divinorum is native to the Sierra Mazateca in Oaxaca, Mexico, where it has been used by the Mazatec people primarily to facilitate shamanic visions in the context of curing and divination.1 The Mazatec see the plant as an incarnation of the Virgin Mary and…
Legality
International
Salvia divinorum and salvinorin A are not listed in the schedules of the 1961 Single Convention on Narcotic Drugs, the 1971 Convention on Psychotropic Substances, or the tables of the 1988 Convention against Illicit Traffic in Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances. The conventions therefore do not internationally schedule the plant or its active constituent.
By Country
AlabamaIllegalSchedule I controlled substance
DelawareIllegalSchedule I controlled substance
FloridaIllegalSchedule I controlled substance
IllinoisIllegalSchedule I controlled substance
IndianaIllegalSchedule I controlled substance
IowaIllegalSchedule I controlled substance
KansasIllegalSchedule I controlled substance
MinnesotaRestrictedSale and possession offense
NebraskaIllegalSchedule I controlled substance
North CarolinaIllegalSalvia prohibition
OklahomaIllegalSchedule I controlled substance
Rhode IslandRestrictedSchedule I excluding unaltered plant
TexasIllegalPenalty Group 3
References
Citations
- Leander J. Valdés III, José Luis Díaz, & Ara G. Paul. (1983). Ethnopharmacology of ska María Pastora (Salvia divinorum, Epling and Játiva-M.). 7(3), 287–312. https://doi.org/10.1016/0378-8741(83)90004-11234
- Cunningham, Christopher W., Rothman, Richard B., & Prisinzano, Thomas E.. (2011). Neuropharmacology of the Naturally Occurring κ-Opioid Hallucinogen Salvinorin A. 63(2), 316–347. https://doi.org/10.1124/pr.110.00324412
- Bryan L. Roth, Karen Baner, Richard Westkaemper, Daniel Siebert, Kenner C. Rice, SeAnna Steinberg, Paul Ernsberger, & Richard B. Rothman. (2002). Salvinorin A: a potent naturally occurring nonnitrogenous kappa opioid selective agonist. 99(18), 11934–11939. https://doi.org/10.1073/pnas.1822343991234567
- Localization of salvinorin A and related compounds in glandular trichomes of the psychoactive sage, Salvia divinorum. 93(6), 763–771 (2004). https://doi.org/10.1093/aob/mch0901
- Dopamine D2High receptors stimulated by phencyclidines, lysergic acid diethylamide, salvinorin A, and modafinil. 63(8), 698–704 (2009). https://doi.org/10.1002/syn.206471
- Inhibitory effect of salvinorin A, from Salvia divinorum, on ileitis-induced hypermotility: cross-talk between κ-opioid and cannabinoid CB1 receptors. 155(2), 175–184 (2008). https://doi.org/10.1038/bjp.2008.2941
- Daniel J. Siebert. (1994). Salvia divinorum and salvinorin A: new pharmacologic findings. https://doi.org/10.1016/0378-8741(94)90116-31
- Andreia Machado Brito-da-Costa, Diana Dias-da-Silva, Nelson G. M. Gomes, Ricardo Jorge Dinis-Oliveira, & Áurea Madureira-Carvalho. (2021). Pharmacokinetics and Pharmacodynamics of Salvinorin A and Salvia divinorum: Clinical and Forensic Aspects. https://doi.org/10.3390/ph140201161
- Salvinorin A, a kappa-opioid receptor agonist hallucinogen: pharmacology and potential template for novel pharmacotherapeutic agents in neuropsychiatric disorders. (2015). https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC4561799/12
- Drug Fact Sheet: Salvia Divinorum. U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (2020). https://www.dea.gov/sites/default/files/2020-06/Salvia%20Divinorum-2020_0.pdf123
- Casselman I, Nock CJ, Wohlmuth H, Weatherby RP, & Heinrich M. (2014). Salvia divinorum: from recreational hallucinogenic use to analgesic and anti-inflammatory action. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC6434906/1
- Salvia Divinorum: Cautionary Notes – Vaporization. (n.d.). https://www.liquisearch.com/salvia_divinorum/immediate_effects/cautionary_notes/vaporization12
- Pharmacokinetics and Pharmacodynamics of Salvinorin A and Salvia divinorum: Clinical and Forensic Aspects. (2021). https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC7913753/12
- 'Salvia Killed My Son,' Says Mother. ABC News (2009). https://abcnews.com/Technology/PCWorld/story?id=67829121
- Jolanta B. Zawilska, & Jakub Wojcieszak. (2013). Salvia divinorum: from Mazatec medicinal and hallucinogenic plant to emerging recreational drug. 28(5), 403–412. https://doi.org/10.1002/hup.23041
- Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration. (2007). Results from the 2006 National Survey on Drug Use and Health: National Findings. SAMHSA, Office of Applied Studies. https://www.samhsa.gov/data/1
- Matthew J. Baggott, Earth Erowid, Fire Erowid, Gantt P. Galloway, & John Mendelson. (2010). Use patterns and self-reported effects of Salvia divinorum: an internet-based survey. 111(3), 250–256. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.drugalcdep.2010.05.0031
- Christopher Ketcham. (2007). Under the Spell of the Magic Mint. (June 2007). https://maps.org/images/pdf/salvia_story-final.pdf123
- Therapeutic Goods (Poisons Standard—June 2026) Instrument 2026, Schedule 9. legislation.gov.au (n.d.). https://www.legislation.gov.au/F2026L00633/asmade/2026-05-28/text/original/epub/OEBPS/document_1/document_1.html1
- Salvia (salvia divinorum) - Drug Facts. Alcohol and Drug Foundation (Australia) (2024). https://adf.org.au/drug-facts/salvia/1
- Controlled Drugs and Substances Act, Schedule IV, item 27. laws-lois.justice.gc.ca (n.d.). https://laws-lois.justice.gc.ca/eng/acts/C-38.8/FullText.html1
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