Salvia divinorum: effects and use among YouTube users.
James E Lange, Jason Daniel, Kestrel Homer, Mark B Reed, John D Clapp
Drug and alcohol dependence April 1, 2010 DOI: 10.1016/j.drugalcdep.2009.11.010 via PubMed
Summary
AI-generated from the abstractSalvia divinorum is a potent, short-acting hallucinogenic plant increasingly used by adolescents in the United States, yet its effects have been poorly documented. By systematically observing 34 unedited YouTube videos capturing the entire drug experience, trained raters recorded 42 effects at 30-second intervals. Onset of symptoms was rapid, often within 30 seconds, and effects typically dissipated within 8 minutes. Higher doses were associated with longer effect duration. The observations provide a look at users in a non-laboratory setting, showing impairments and behaviors consistent with a powerful hallucinogen. The study also demonstrates both the feasibility and limitations of using YouTube videos to assess emerging drugs and their effects.
Study at a glance
| Characteristics | Observational study using video analysis Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Sample size | 34 |
| Population | YouTube video posters using salvia |
| Intervention | Salvia divinorum |
| Duration | Up to 8 minutes per video |
| Topics | Salvia divinorum |
| Keywords | Potent hallucinogen Drug effects Intense effects Rapid impact |
| Citations | 85 |
| Key finding | Salvia's effects onset rapidly (often under 30 seconds) and dissipate within 8 minutes, with higher doses linked to longer duration. |
Abstract
Salvia divinorum (salvia) is an intense, short-acting hallucinogenic plant gaining popularity among adolescents in the United States. There has been little scientific documentation of salvia's effects. The popular video-sharing website YouTube has received literally thousands of video-posts of people using salvia. The objective of this study was to assess the effects of salvia use through systematic observations of YouTube videos. A sample of salvia videos was obtained using the search term "salvia." The videos were further screened and only videos that captured the entire drug "trip" without video edits were included in the analyses described here (n=34). Three trained research assistants independently watched the videos and rated their observations on 42 effects in 30-s intervals. Onset of symptoms was quick (often less than 30s) and tended to dissipate within 8min. Further, there was a relationship between salvia dose and effect duration. Since salvia's effects on humans are largely undocumented, this study provides the look at users in a non-laboratory environment (e.g. self-taped videos) exhibiting impairments and behaviors consistent with this powerful hallucinogen. Also, this study demonstrates the feasibility and shortcomings of using YouTube videos to assess emerging drugs and drug effects.