Salvia Divinorum Fast Facts

Whatis Salvia divinorum? Howis Salvia divinorum used? Whatare the risks? Salvia divinorum (pronounced The leaves of the Salvia divinorum The abuse of Salvia divinorum can SAL-vee-ah dee-vin-OR-um) is a plant can be dried and then smoked or, cause intense and debilitating hallucina- perennial herb in the mint family that while still fresh, wadded together and tions. Even smoking small quantities— resembles common sage. The plant chewed. The drug also may be brewed one-quarter gram—can affect perception contains the hallucinogen Salvinorin and ingested as a tea. In addition, and senses. These effects can result in A and is abused for the mind-altering Salvia divinorum sometimes is con- abusers harming themselves and others. sensations it produces. verted into a liquid extract, which is In addition, abusers report that the then vaporized and inhaled. negative long-term effects of Salvia Whatdoes it look like? divinorum may be similar to those Who abuses Salvia divinorum? The Salvia divinorum plant grows produced by other hallucinogens such in large clusters and typically reaches National surveys conducted to esti- as LSD, including depression and more than 3 feet in height. The plant mate rates of drug abuse do not include schizophrenia. Some abusers also is identifiable by its large, bright green questions regarding abuse of Salvia indicate that long-term abuse can leaves; hollow, square stems; and divinorum. Thus, current levels of cause hallucinogen persisting percep- white and purple flowers. abuse are difficult to determine. tion disorder, or “flashbacks.” Most likely, the abuser population is Numerous individuals report expe- limited, primarily consisting of teenagers riencing negative effects during their and young adults who frequent “head first experience with Salvia divinorum shops” or who have been influenced by and indicate that they would not use Internet sites promoting the drug. it a second time. Others report that the drug caused them to become Abuse of the drug poses an increas- introverted and unable to communi- ing concern to law enforcement officials cate clearly. in the United States, particularly in the Northeast, Midwest, and Pacific regions of the country. Other Terms for Salvia divinorum Diviner’s sage Maria Pastora Sage of seers Ska Maria Pastora

© Drugid Salvia divinorum leaf. Other productsof interest: , Huffing—The Abuse of Inhalants , Prescription Drug Abuse and Youth , Drugs,Youth, and the Internet SalviaSalvia Is Salvia divinorum illegal? No, Salvia divinorum is not divinorum currently illegal. Salvia divinorum is not listed under the Controlled Substances Act. However, the Drug Enforcement Administration does Fast FactsFacts regard Salvia divinorum as a drug of concern and is monitoring reports of the drug’s abuse nationwide.

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