The Salvia Divinorum Drug and Teens

Salvia divinorum is a hallucinogenic herb that has become popular recreational drug among teenagers and young adults. It is often called a 'legal' trip because it can mimic the effects of LSD and ecstasy though salvia's effects do not last as long.

Despite the fact that only a few states in the United States currently consider salvia illegal, it is not deemed safe for teenagers. The full or long-term side effects of using salvia are not yet known, however, teens who use it can find themselves in dangerous situations while hallucinating.

A rise in the use of this hallucinogenic herb has attracted some attention.

• A 2008 New York Times article states that, in the United States, 3% of young men between the ages of 18 to 25 have used Salvia divinorum within the previous year. The statistics suggest that it is being used twice as often as LSD and almost as often as ecstasy.
• 2013 Monitoring the Future survey by the National Institute on Drug Abuse does show that reported use of salvia among 12th graders decreased from the previous year.
• Videos of salvia users are being posted on video-sharing sites, such as YouTube, and are immensely popular: certain videos have been viewed 500,000 times.

Salvia may just be the newest rising star in the drug world, and it is, in some cases, completely legal.

Salvia is a perennial herb that is a part of the mint family. It is commonly found in southern Mexico, Central America, and South America. The plant has large green leaves with white and purple flowers that typically grow in large clusters to more than 3 feet in height.

The active ingredient in the salvia herb is salvinorin A, a chemical that acts on certain receptors in the brain and causes hallucinations. Salvinorin A is one of the most potent naturally occurring hallucinogenic chemicals.

Salvia is sold in various forms. It can be sold as seeds, leaves or as a liquid extract.

• Fresh leaves can be chewed, causing a high within 5 to 10 minutes.
• Dried leaves can be smoked as a joint, in a water pipe or vaporized and inhaled. When smoked, the drug can take effect within 30 seconds.
• Drinking the liquid extract will also cause a high.

The chemical salvinorin A, which is contained in salvia, sits on the kappa opioid receptors in the brain, causing an altered perception of reality. The kappa opioid receptor is thought to have a role in pain control and certain psychiatric disorders.

When used, salvia causes intense but short-lived effects, including:

• Visual distortions and hallucinations.
• Intense dissociation and disconnectedness from reality.
• Physical or visual impairment.
• Disorientation and dizziness.
• Synesthesia is possible, where physical sensations become intertwined and it is possible to “hear” colors or “smell” sounds.
• Dysphoria, where users felt uncomfortable or unpleasant after the drug's use, is also reported.

Due to these effects, it would be dangerous to operate a vehicle while under the drug's influence. Additionally, any drug that leaves the user incapacitated during the time it is working puts the user at risk for serious injury by any means.

According to The Office of National Drug Control Policy, salvia is not currently regulated by the United States government. At this time, the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) thinks of Salvia as a drug of concern and is monitoring any reports of abuse of the substance.

A handful of states have regulations in place regarding salvia use and others are considering regulation.

Legal or not, Salvia is not intended for use by adolescents at any time. Websites that promote salvia use often specifically mention that they will not sell the drug to minors. Parents need to be aware of this new drug ​so that they can educate themselves and their teens on this new potential danger.