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Salvia (Salvia divinorum) is an herb

common to southern Mexico and Central

and South America. The main active

ingredient in Salvia, salvinorin A, is a

potent activator of kappa opioid receptors in the brain.1,2 These receptors differ

from those activated by the more commonly known opioids, such as heroin

and morphine. 

Traditionally, S. divinorum has been

ingested by chewing fresh leaves or by

drinking their extracted juices. The dried

leaves of S. divinorum can also be

smoked as a joint, consumed in water

pipes, or vaporized and inhaled.

Although Salvia currently is not a drug

regulated by the Controlled Substances

Act, several States and countries have

passed legislation to regulate its use.3

The Drug Enforcement Agency has listed

Salvia as a drug of concern and is considering classifying it as a Schedule I

drug, like LSD or marijuana.

Health/Behavioral Effects

People who abuse Salvia generally

experience hallucinations or delusional

episodes that mimic psychosis.4 ,5

Subjective effects have been described

as intense but short-lived; they appear in

less than 1 minute and last less than 30

minutes. Effects include psychedelic-like

changes in visual perception, mood, and

body sensations; emotional swings; feelings of detachment; and importantly, a

highly modified perception of external

reality and the self, which leads to a

decreased ability to interact with one's

surroundings.5 This last effect has prompted concern about the dangers of driving

under the influence of salvinorin. The

long-term effects of Salvia abuse have not

been investigated systematically.

Extent of Use

There are no available estimates of

Salvia abuse, but a recent increase in

Salvia-related media reports and Internet

traffic suggest the possibility of an

increase in the level of Salvia abuse in

the United States and Europe.4 Although

information about the user population is

limited, users appear to be mostly

younger adults and adolescents who are

influenced by promotions of the drug on

Internet sites.3 Rather than being used as

a party drug, Salvia seems to appeal to

individual experimentalists.5

Salvia
October 2007 Page 2 of 2

For more information on the effects 

of hallucinogenic drugs, see NIDA’s

Research Report on Hallucinogens 

and Dissociative Drugs at

www.nida.nih.gov/ResearchReports

/hallucinogens/hallucinogens.html.

For more information on Salvia divinorum

and the Controlled Substances Act, 

visit www.deadiversion.usdoj.gov/

drugs_concern/salvia_d/salvia_d.htm. 

For street terms searchable by drug

name, street term, cost and quantities,

drug trade, and drug use, visit

www.whitehousedrugpolicy.gov/

streetterms/default.asp. 

National Institutes of Health – U.S. Department of Health and Human Services

This material may be used or reproduced without permission from NIDA. Citation of the source is appreciated.

1 CHAVKIN, C., SUD, S., JIN, W. et al. Salvinorin A, an active component of the hallucinogenic sage Salvia divinorum is a highly efficacious kappa-opioid receptor agonist: structural and functional considerations. J Pharmacol Exp

Ther. 308:1197–203, 2004.

2 Harding, W.W., et al. Salvinicins A and B, new neoclerodane diterpenes from Salvia divinorum. Organic Letters.

7:3017–3020, 2005.

3 www.deadiversion.usdoj.gov/drugs_concern/salvia_d/salvia_d.htm. Accessed September 24, 2007.

4 ROTH, B.L., et al. Salvinorin A: a potent naturally occurring non-nitrogenous kappa opioid selective agonist. 

Proc Natl Acad Sci. 99:11934–11939, 2002.

5 GONZALEZ, D., et al. Pattern of use and subjective effects of Salvia divinorum among recreational users. 

Drug Alcohol Depend. 85:157–162, 2006.