Salvia, properly known as salvia divinorum, is a dissociative drug originating from Southern Mexico. It is a "soft-leaved green plant" found in nature ("Salvia divinorum basics," 2011). The active ingredient found in salvia is known as salvinorian A, which "is the most potent naturally occurring hallucinogen" ("Salvia divinorum," 2006). The plant was originally used by native tribes, in the form of a tea, in order to heal people ("Salvia divinorum history:," 2010). Gordon Wasson, an anthropology researcher, was the first person to bring the salvia plant from its original home in Mexico, to America. He stumbled upon the plant on a research trip to study hallucinogenic mushrooms. Wasson tried on many attempts to bring the plant into America but continually failed. He eventually was able to transport it across the borders and started the popular trend of the drug ("Salvia divinorum history:," 2010).
Since the introduction of salvia in America, the plant has been able to be bought online through websites governed by Wasson ("Salvia divinorum history:," 2010). The fact that the drug can be easily bought online may come shocking to many, and leave many wondering how this possible since the drug is probably illegal. That idea is incorrect though. As of right now salvia is still a legal drug within the United States and many other countries ("Drug facts: Salvia," 2012). Although the drug is legal it has been placed on the list of concerning drugs and is being considered to be identified as a Schedule I drug ("Drug facts: Salvia," 2012). Because the drug is typically sold in the amount of leaves the prices of the drug can vary anywhere from fifty to two-hundred dollars. Different amounts of leaves are needed depending on the way that the drug is going to be used ("Salvia divinorum basics," 2011). Although no progress has been made on it yet, researchers are hoping to study the potential of salvia for medical uses. Since salvia is a cousin to marijuana there is belief that there could be medicinal uses to come from it. Scientists are worried though that the government's concern over whether to add the drug to the Schedule I list would diminish the opportunities to study salvia for medical purposes (Monarez, 2012).
Salvia can be taken in a variety of ways. The most common way is to smoke the plant extracts mixed with the leaves of the plant ("How to use," 2010). Another popular way to use salvia is to chew it. In order to use this method a person should soak the leaves in cool water and then squeeze the leaves into a ball to place under their tongue. For the next thirty minutes the user should keep the ball in their mouth and chew on it about every ten seconds. The juice that
develops from chewing on the ball should not be spit out or swallowed ("How to use," 2010). The newest method to use salvia is to make a tea out of it. Although the native tribes who first discovered the salvia plant used it in a tea form, this form of ingestion is new to the American population ("How to use," 2010). Although there are many different ways to use salvia smoking it is the most popular choice of usage since it tends to create the most effect on the user ("How to use," 2010).
The effects of salvia tend to only last for a short period of time. After smoking, chewing, or drinking salvia the effects will hit a person anywhere from 2 seconds to 2 minutes afterwards. These effects range from feelings of dreamlike experiences, having an insight to personal problems, feelings of being in a different dimension and unrealistic visuals. Along with these happy feelings a person can have overly intense experiences, fear, or panic ("Salvia divinorum effects," 2010). As with any hallucinogenic drug salvia can have both good and bad effects on its user. The fact that salvia's effects only lasts for a short period of time has led to the increase in popularity and the inviting nature of the drug to try it. As of now the long term effects that salvia has on a person are unclear and so there are not really any type of treatment options for those who develop a dependence on salvia ("Drug facts: Salvia," 2012).
Personally, I feel that salvia should be added to the list of Scheduled I drugs. Salvia can be just as dangerous as marijuana or any drugs that make you hallucinate. Accidents of people injuring themselves while on the drug have been reported in hospitals so I do not understand why the drug is still legal. The fact that the plants can be so easily bought off of the internet is slightly absurd. Little kids or other people that should not be exposed to things like this could easily come across the websites and possibly even order the drug without knowing what it is. A drug like salvia, that has become so widespread in recent years should definitely not be legal.
References
Drug facts: Salvia. (2012, December). Retrieved from http://www.drugabuse.gov/publications/drugfacts/salvia
Monarez, J. A. (2012, Jan 7). Hallucinogenic salvia may also have medical use, causing controversy. Retrieved from http://www.utepprospector.com/news/hallucinogenic-salvia-may-also-have-medical-use-causing-controversy-1.1006995
How to use salvia, smoke salvia extracts, salvia tincture. (2010). Retrieved from http://www.salvia-world.com/usage.html
Salvia divinorum. (2006, June 29). Retrieved from http://www.cesar.umd.edu/cesar/drugs/salvia.asp
Salvia divinorum history: The beginning of salvia. (2010). Retrieved from http://www.salvia-world.com/history.html
Salvia divinorum basics. (2011, Nov. 16). Retrieved from http://www.erowid.org/plants/salvia/salvia_basics.shtml
Salvia divinorum effects. (2010, Oct 29). Retrieved from http://www.erowid.org/plants/salvia/salvia_effects.shtml
Good information here!
ReplyDeleteUpdate on the government's efforts to control use of salvia - effective August 22, 2011, Salvia divinorum and salvinorin A are Schedule I controlled substances.
"Under the new law, conviction for a first offense for delivery or possession with the intent to deliver carries a maximum penalty of five years in prison and a $15,000 fine. Conviction of simple possession of the substance carries a maximum penalty of one year in prison and a $5,000 fine" (http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/governor-corbett-signs-bill-banning-bath-salts-other-new-drugs-124433218.html).
Due to salvia being a newer drug I didn't know much about it but your class presentation was very informative. I learned that salvinorian A is the most potent naturally occurring hallucinogen, which is why it is scary to think that salvia is still a legal drug. The fact that salvia is being considered as a Schedule I drug and is still legal doesn't compare well. I agree that it should be added to the Schedule I category because hallucinations are dangerous and have many negative effects. Because salvia is a cousin to marijuana it should not be legal and easily accessible providing a substitute for marijuana. Since marijuana is such a popular drug but not easily accessible to all, a legal substitute is obviously going to gain popularity quickly and should have became illegal immediately.
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