Use of nonprohibited hallucinogenic plants: increasing relevance for public health? A case report and literature review on the consumption of Salvia divinorum (Diviner's Sage).
R Bücheler, C H Gleiter, P Schwoerer, I Gaertner
Pharmacopsychiatry January 1, 2005 DOI: 10.1055/s-2005-837763 via PubMed
Summary
AI-generated from the abstractA mint plant called diviner's sage (Salvia divinorum), used traditionally in Mazatec shamanic ceremonies, is now legally available online. Its active ingredient, salvinorin A, is one of the most potent naturally occurring hallucinogens. Smoking, vaporizing, or chewing the plant induces a short-lived state with intense feelings of depersonalization. The authors report a young man's experience, review the scarce scientific literature, and argue that health professionals should consider Salvia when exploring young people for drug use, as its legal status in most countries and growing appeal among teenagers and young adults in Europe pose public health questions.
Study at a glance
| Characteristics | Review Case report Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Sample size | 1 |
| Population | A young man consuming Salvia divinorum |
| Topics | Salvia divinorum |
| Keywords | Potent hallucinogens Health professionals Public health questions Substance use |
| Citations | 63 |
| Key finding | Salvia divinorum, a potent hallucinogen legally available online, induces intense depersonalization and warrants attention from health professionals when assessing young adults for substance use. |
Abstract
: We want to call attention to a mint plant, called diviner's sage ( Salvia divinorum), originally used in shamanic ceremonies of the Mazatec Indians of Mexico. On numerous websites of the internet, this ancient herbal drug and its extracts are offered as a legal means of widening individual awareness. Regarding its dose-response relationship, the active ingredient, salvinorin A, is one of the most potent naturally occurring hallucinogens. Laws on controlled substances, except for Finland, Denmark and Australia, do not prohibit cultivating, consuming or dealing with Salvia divinorum. Ingestion by smoking, vaporising or chewing, induces a short-lived inebriant state with intense, bizarre feelings of depersonalization. This article wants to be a signal for physicians or psychotherapists to take Salvia into consideration, when exploring young people for drug use. We report the individual perceptions of a young man consuming Salvia divinorum. We review the scarce scientific literature and consider relevant internet websites. We define open issues for further investigations and try to discuss why Salvia divinorum may be of interest for teenagers and young adults in Europe.