Author: Alex Thompson

Mental, Physical, and Long-Term Effects of Salvia Use

Furthermore, inhalation of any smoke when consuming a drug is damaging for the lungs. Salvia’s active ingredient is salvinorin A, a kappa opioid receptor (KOR) agonist. Also, it has a low addiction potential, people can easily obtain it, and they do not consider it highly toxic. Today, many states have laws on the books that outlaw buying, possessing, or selling salvia. Some states have age restrictions, and some states outlaw salvia extracts but not the plant. Another small handful of states have decriminalized salvia possession, so you won’t be arrested if you’re found with the plant or extracts.

Moreover, if any of the dangerous effects listed above are observed in a patient using Salvinorin, contact immediate medical help in order to avoid unwanted health events. One of the possible dangers of Salvinorin is its potential for triggering psychosis, schizophrenia, and other mental illnesses if a user is predisposed to mental illnesses. For patients with other mental illnesses and are using Salvinorin, being counseled by medical doctors will help in avoiding adverse reactions. There is no need to hesitate sharing and asking, as these professionals respect the privacy of every patient.

Those who take hallucinogenic drugs can experience a number of mental health side effects such as hallucinations or anxiety. There are around 960 species of plants in the mint family, genus Salvia. These herbaceous and woody plants can be found all over the world, but they are the most diverse in Central America and around the Mediterranean. Several species are used for cooking, including varietals of mint and sage, while many other versions of salvia are planted as ornamental flowering bushes. One variety, however, causes psychedelic effects, including hallucinations, and may lead to addiction. Effects of other hallucinogens include flashbacks to drug experiences, visual impairment and a condition called hallucinogen persisting perception disorder.

How does salvia affect your brain?

Originating in Mexico, the plant’s properties have become famous around the world, so it is now often cultivated in North America, Australia, and Europe. Sometimes called “the diviner’s sage,” abuse of this intoxicating drug has been on the rise since the 1990s. There are concerns that salvia may affect a person’s thinking, choices, and mental health. The drug also rarely causes emergency room visits because its effects wear off quickly. However, salvia does cause serious physical and psychological impairment.

Hallucinations can be dangerous, especially if the individual can no longer tell the difference between reality and fantasy. If the individual becomes paranoid, anxious, scared, or angry, they may become aggressive and physically harmful toward themselves or others. This can turn into drug-induced psychosis, and the individual may need to be hospitalized in order to calm down and stabilize. Sometimes, the person can experience other visual or auditory hallucinations, like patterns or shapes, which typically end when attention is drawn elsewhere.

1. If you use salvia or have considered trying it, it’s a good idea to know what the drug is, what the risks are, and what you can expect when you take it.
2. The video brought the spotlight of attention to this drug, and some state legislators began introducing laws restricting the sale and use of this plant.
3. People under the influence of the drug are at an increased risk of injury.
4. Unintentional Salvia overdose occurs when there is an incongruity between the Salvinorin drug label and its actual content.

The salvia extracts may also be infused in drinks or vaporizer pens. Calls to our general hotline may be answered by private treatment providers. We may be paid a fee for marketing or advertising by organizations that can assist with treating people with substance use disorders. Unintentional Salvia overdose occurs when there is an incongruity between the Salvinorin drug label and its actual content.

Salvia Overdose

Indeed, Salvinorin, a drug commonly used by indigenous people in Mexico, has a low addiction potential and it comes with many uses. However, take note that along with these benefits come side effects that are dangerous to the mental and physical health of every user. Additionally, patients using Salvinorin as a treatment medication must understand that this drug is possible for drug-drug and food-drug interactions. For this reason, caution and care must always be remembered whenever there is a need to use this substance. Although Salvia Divinorum is not considered addictive, it can cause short-term and long-term damage to the brain and body, especially with repeated use.

Researchers continue to study the drug to better understand its effects. Salvia divinorum, or salvia for short, is an herb in the mint family that’s often used for its hallucinogenic effects. It’s native to southern Mexico and parts of Central and South America. There, it has been used in traditional ceremonies by the Mazatec Indians for centuries. Our writers and reviewers are experienced professionals in medicine, addiction treatment, and healthcare. AddictionResource fact-checks all the information before publishing and uses only credible and trusted sources when citing any medical data.

Being in a good state of mind, with trusted friends and a safe environment before taking salvia reduces the risk of having a ‘bad’ trip. Disruption of space and time can be a frightening experience and can lead to serious psychotic disturbances in vulnerable people. People usually experience the most intense effects within 2 minutes after smoking. They refer to the leaf as “Herb of Mary, the Shepherdess.” They believe the plant to be an incarnation of the Virgin Mary. People have reported visions of a woman or sacred objects during hallucinations. Salvia has become popular as a recreational drug among adolescents and young adults.

Mental Health Problems

In some places, salvia is a “legal high,” a recreational drug that does not fall under any of the government classifications of illegal drugs. The Mazatec also roll fresh salvia leaves into a cigar-like “quid.” They suck or chew the quid without swallowing, and so they absorb the drug from the mouth lining into the bloodstream. When salvia is smoked, the effects occur almost instantly and peak within one minute. Currently, salvia isn’t approved for any medical uses in the United States. It’s also not controlled under Congress’s Controlled Substances Act.

Common Salvia Side Effects

Yes, salvia is legal, however not throughout the entire country. Instead, salvia is only legal to use in less than half of the states. American Addiction Centers (AAC) is committed to delivering original, truthful, accurate, unbiased, and medically current information. We strive to create content that is clear, concise, and easy to understand. Other side effects that occur during the high can include a loss of contact with reality or time, feeling uneasy or anxious, motion sickness, and feelings of detachment. In some states in America, the law considers salvia a Schedule I drug and does not permit its sale.

Different states have different regulatory laws for possession, buying, and selling. The abuse cannot be proven by any standard or extended Salvinorin drug testing. Individuals who want to overcome the addiction from seer’s sage should immediately contact or get enrolled in a rehab center for drug addiction. The first step of treatment for drug abuse can be detox, which will help the body get rid of the toxins.

Salvia Effects: Are They Dangerous?

Salvia, or Salvia divinorum, is an herbal mint plant and a naturally occurring hallucinogen that is native to Mexico. Hallucinogen abuse typically causes psychological effects lasting several hours. However, the effects of salvia usually last for less than 30 minutes. The time it takes to feel the effects and the duration that they last depend on the method of use. However, animal studies suggest the drug may impair memory and learning, according to the National Institute on Drug Abuse.