While wide varieties of salvia are used for cooking, decorative shrubbery, and religious ceremonies, psychoactive salvia use is rising. This is becoming a concern because it contains the strongest naturally occurring hallucinogen. Among these users, 77.8% reported concurrent use with other substances, highlighting a significant risk of polysubstance misuse. Additionally, 55.6% of Salvia users experienced hallucinations, which increased the likelihood of continued use and dependency. The effects of Salvia Divinorum addiction include hallucinations, altered perceptions, and dissociation.
Side Effects of Salvia Use
She has served as Director of Mental Health Services in Palm Beach County, FL, and co-founded the Miracles Club, Inc., supporting recovery since 2001. Salvia may seem like a short-term high, but long-term side effects are possible. These can include memory issues, emotional instability, and lingering psychological effects. People with existing medical conditions—especially heart problems or high blood pressure—face increased risk due to the stress salvia places on the body.
What Are The Dangers of Salvia Abuse and Addiction?
If someone has to use more of the drug to feel the same effects, this can indicate a problem. For instance, using more than the safe dose of 1 gram could show that someone has developed a tolerance to the effects of salvia. Drug tolerances occur gradually and often transition into substance use disorders. When it comes to the dangers that come with the use of the drug, users typically experience impaired judgment, sensory and cognitive changes as a result of intense hallucinations. Scientists have also found that the use of Salvia either alone or combined with alcohol and other drugs has cardiovascular, neurologic, and gastrointestinal effects. Furthermore, using it in combination with other drugs of abuse (such as alcohol) resulted in complications and psychomotor disturbances.
Treatment for Salvia Addiction & Salvia Abuse
The experience is usually short-lived, lasting only a few minutes to an hour. Salvia (Salvia divinorum) and its active compound salvinorin A are not typically included in standard drug tests, so it is rarely detected in routine screenings such as salvia drug overview: is it dangerous and or addictive urine, blood, or hair tests. However, if specialized testing were conducted, salvinorin A might be detectable in the body for a short period. Although not currently regulated under the Controlled Substances Act, salvia is classified as a “drug of concern” by the DEA due to its unpredictable effects and growing recreational use.
- They may worry about having a “bad trip” that could include disturbing sensations, thoughts, or hallucinations.
- For instance, using more than the safe dose of 1 gram could show that someone has developed a tolerance to the effects of salvia.
- Due to the disorienting effects of Salvia divinorum, it is strongly advised to have a sitter present when taking it.
- These effects can vary significantly depending on the dosage and the individual’s sensitivity to the substance.
- However, trace amounts might remain for 12 to 24 hours, depending on factors like dosage, metabolism, and the method of consumption.
- Individuals with a history of mental illness should approach salvia with caution due to these potential risks.
Signs of Salvia Addiction
It is also known by other traditional names such as ska maría pastora and seer’s sage. Native to southern Mexico and traditionally used in spiritual rituals, this member of the mint family contains salvinorin A, one of the most potent naturally occurring hallucinogens. Salvinorin A is the active principle of the plant and is classified as a psychotropic terpenoid responsible for its distinctive psychoactive effects. As a salvia drug, it produces intense, fast-acting psychedelic effects that differ sharply from those of classical hallucinogens such as lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD) and psilocybin. Yes, Salvia (Salvia divinorum) can cause psychiatric symptoms, particularly during intense experiences.
Our dedicated team of professionals is committed to providing the compassionate care and expert guidance you need to start your journey to recovery. Contact us today, and let’s work together to create a brighter, healthier future for you. Your path to recovery begins with a single step – reach out now and find the support you deserve. In fact, salvia is one of the most potent hallucinogens in the world.
Recreational use of salvia has been a concern because it contains the strongest naturally-occurring hallucinogen. Due to the popularity and prevalence of this drug, it is important to be aware of salvia’s effects. Although not as many teens and young adults have been using salvia in the past, its availability is still attractive to those not old enough to get other legal or illegal substances. You will also gain a better understanding of why it is believed to be dangerous, along with measures you can take to avoid potential addiction. Salvia divinorum, often called “diviner’s sage” or “hallucinogenic sage,” is a powerful and unique plant that’s stirred curiosity and concern alike.
Salvinorin-A, the active ingredient in salvia, attaches to the same receptors in the brain that opioids do, and they affect a person’s ability to perceive reality accurately. While not physically addictive, salvia can lead to psychological dependence in some individuals, especially those seeking repeated hallucinogenic experiences. Salvia is a hallucinogenic plant containing salvinorin A, a compound that interacts with brain receptors to produce intense, short-lived hallucinations. We’ll also answer key questions such as whether salvia shows up on drug tests, what type of drug it is, if you can test for it, what it looks like, and how long it stays in the system. By understanding the facts and realities surrounding this substance, you can feel more equipped to seek help, encourage others to seek treatment, and ultimately move toward a healthier life. Nova Recovery Center is a trusted drug and alcohol rehab facility offering personalized treatment programs across the United States.
Legal Status of Salvia
Contact our intake team to explore our programs or schedule an appointment. It is not known if salvia is addictive because research on the addiction potential of the plant is limited. People are unlikely to become dependent on salvia, but repeated use of the drug can be problematic. With dedicated professional help, individuals struggling with salvia abuse can break the cycle, learn healthier ways to handle life’s challenges, and move toward a more fulfilling future. Dr. Byron McQuirt leads works closely with our addictionologist, offering holistic, evidence-based mental health and addiction care while educating future professionals. While no fatal overdoses of salvia have ever been reported, large doses will produce horribly unpleasing psychic effects and unsafe behaviour.
- Legal restrictions are often based on concerns about its potent and unpredictable psychoactive effects.
- Due to salvia’s liberal availability, it is becoming an increasingly popular drug among teens — especially among boys.
- A research study using rats suggested salvia abuse may lead to memory issues, difficulties with learning new information, and other cognitive problems.
- The optimal dosage for nearly all participants was one gram of raw leaf chewed.
- But this effect is temporary and a reliable sitter can provide reassurance in case of a bad trip.
Hallucinations may include sensations of floating, flying or traveling through time and space. However, visual hallucinations from salvia fade when interrupted by light or noise. Salvia has no approved medical uses in the United States, and it is not regulated by the Controlled Substances Act.
Contact addiction professionals now to start the path of restoration and good health. Numerous treatment facilities provide private consultations to help you decide the best course of action for recovery. Salvia’s growing recreational use begs serious questions about its safety profile and its hazards.
