Psychopharmacology of the hallucinogenic sage Salvia divinorum.
Life sciences December 22, 2005 DOI: 10.1016/j.lfs.2005.09.008 via PubMed
Summary
AI-generated from the abstractThe Mexican mint Salvia divinorum is currently an unregulated hallucinogen, leading online botanical companies to market it as a legal alternative to other controlled plant hallucinogens, and its misuse is predicted to increase rapidly. The active ingredient, salvinorin A, acts as a kappa opioid receptor agonist in both laboratory and animal studies. This review covers the current state of research into the psychopharmacology of S. divinorum.
Study at a glance
| Characteristics | Review Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Topics | Salvia divinorum |
| Keywords | Hallucinogens Psychopharmacology Drug policy |
| Citations | 128 |
| Key finding | Salvinorin A, the active ingredient in Salvia divinorum, is a kappa opioid receptor agonist, and the plant's unregulated status is leading to increased online marketing and predicted misuse. |
Abstract
At present, the Mexican mint Salvia divinorum is an unregulated hallucinogen. This has resulted in various on-line botanical companies advertising and selling S. divinorum as a legal alternative to other regulated plant hallucinogens. It is predictable that its misuse will increase rapidly. The active ingredient in S. divinorum is the neoclerodane diterpene, salvinorin A (1a), which has been shown to be a kappa agonist both in vitro and in vivo. This review will cover the current state of research into the psychopharmacology of S. divinorum.