"Quite a Profoundly Strange Experience": An Analysis of the Experiences of Salvia divinorum Users.
Fiona Hutton, Bronwyn Kivell, Otis Boyle
Journal of psychoactive drugs January 1, 2016 DOI: 10.1080/02791072.2016.1179376 via PubMed
Summary
AI-generated from the abstractSalvia divinorum, an intense hallucinogen, was legal in New Zealand when an anonymous questionnaire was advertised to young adults in 2010-2011. Of 393 respondents, 167 had used salvia. Thematic analysis of open-ended answers identified three themes: salvia's effects, the importance of set and setting, and pleasure or not-pleasure from use. Recreational salvia use occurred within a broader drug landscape; participants were drug experienced and "drug wise." Use was intermittent, often described as a novel experience. The 2014 criminalization of salvia under the Psychoactive Substances Amendment Act may lead to a significant decline in use as experienced users seek novel drug experiences elsewhere.
Study at a glance
| Characteristics | Cross-sectional survey with qualitative thematic analysis Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Sample size | 393 |
| Population | Young adults in New Zealand who responded to flyers in locations where young adults congregate |
| Keywords | Drug effects Drug use Pleasure Set and setting Salvia salvia |
| Citations | 5 |
| Key finding | Salvia use among experienced, drug-wise young adults in New Zealand was intermittent and novelty-driven, suggesting its criminalization may reduce use as users seek other novel experiences. |
Abstract
Salvia divnorum (an intense hallucinogen) is currently illegal in New Zealand under the 2014 Psychoactive Substances Amendment Act. Despite this, there is a scarcity of research surrounding Salvia divinorum and its effects in a New Zealand context. To explore the experiences of Salvia divinorum users, an anonymous questionnaire was advertised through flyers placed in locations where young adults congregate. A total of 393 people took part in the online questionnaire in 2010-2011, while salvia was legally available in New Zealand; 167 respondents had used salvia. Thematic analysis was used to analyze the resulting open-ended questionnaire data and three key themes were identified: the effects of salvia; the importance of set and setting; salvia use and pleasure/not-pleasure. Recreational use of salvia was situated within a broader drug landscape, with participants being drug experienced and "drug wise" (Measham, Aldridge, and Parker 2001). Use of salvia also appeared to be intermittent, with its use referred to as a novel experience. Thus, the recent criminalization of salvia under the 2014 Act may see a significant decline in use as experienced drug users look elsewhere for novel drug experiences.