Salvia: A Hallucinogen with Serious Risks – What You Should Be Aware Of

Salvia divinorum, commonly known as “salvia,” is a potent, psychoactive plant that has been used for centuries in traditional healing rituals. In recent years, it has gained attention as a recreational drug due to its hallucinogenic properties. However, while it may be legal in some places, salvia carries significant risks and can lead to severe psychological and physical consequences. In this blog, we’ll dive deeper into the uses, effects, and risks of salvia, helping individuals understand why this substance can be dangerous and how addiction treatment in Boston can help those struggling with its use.

What Is Salvia?

Salvia divinorum is a plant that originates from the Sierra Mazateca region of Oaxaca, Mexico. It has been used by indigenous peoples in Mexico for centuries as part of shamanic rituals, where it was believed to facilitate communication with spirits. The active compound in salvia is salvinorin A, a powerful hallucinogen that affects the brain’s kappa-opioid receptors, leading to profound alterations in perception and consciousness.

While salvia has a long history of use in traditional settings, it has gained popularity in the United States and other countries as a recreational drug. Salvia is typically smoked or chewed, though it can also be brewed into a tea. Despite its legal status in many areas, it poses serious health risks, particularly when used in non-ritualistic, recreational settings.

How Does Salvia Affect the Brain?

The active ingredient in salvia, salvinorin A, works by binding to opioid receptors in the brain, but unlike other substances, it does not involve the classic dopamine pathways associated with other drugs like cocaine or heroin. Instead, salvinorin A interacts with the kappa-opioid receptors, which are linked to the brain’s perception of pain, emotion, and perception.

The effects of salvia are rapid and intense. The typical experience begins almost immediately after ingestion and peaks within minutes. Some of the common effects include:

• Hallucinations: Users often report vivid, surreal visions that can involve seeing geometric patterns, changes in scenery, or interactions with imaginary beings.
• Distorted Perception of Time and Space: Users may experience time dilation (time feels slower or faster) or a loss of spatial awareness.
• Out-of-Body Experiences: Many users describe feeling as though they are floating or separated from their bodies.
• Emotional Shifts: The effects can range from extreme euphoria to confusion, anxiety, and distress, and some people may feel like they are losing touch with reality.
• Loss of Coordination: Salvia can cause motor impairment, leading to difficulty walking or coordinating movements.

While the effects of salvia are short-lived, lasting between 20 minutes to an hour, they can be intense enough to leave lasting psychological effects, especially for people who may be predisposed to mental health disorders.

The Risks of Salvia Use

Despite being legal in some areas, salvia is far from harmless. Its potent hallucinogenic effects can lead to a variety of risks, both short- and long-term.

1. Psychological Risks

The most significant risks associated with salvia are psychological. While many users experience euphoric or surreal trips, others may have terrifying experiences that leave them with lasting anxiety or emotional scars. Some of the potential psychological risks of salvia use include:

• Psychosis: Salvia can induce temporary psychosis, where users experience delusions, paranoia, and confusion.
• Increased Risk of Mental Health Disorders: For individuals with a predisposition to mental health issues, salvia can exacerbate existing conditions such as depression, anxiety, or bipolar disorder.
• Persistent Hallucinations: Some users report lasting visual or auditory hallucinations even after the drug has worn off. This phenomenon, known as Hallucinogen Persisting Perception Disorder (HPPD), can be distressing and difficult to manage without professional help.

2. Physical Risks and Accidents

The intense hallucinations caused by salvia can lead to a lack of coordination, disorientation, and impaired judgment, putting users at risk of accidents. Because of these impairments, users may not be able to judge distances or react to dangerous situations appropriately. For instance:

• Falls and Injuries: Many users have reported falls or injuries due to their inability to control their body movements while under the influence of salvia.
• Accidents While Driving: There have been instances where individuals under the influence of salvia have attempted to drive, leading to accidents.
• Choking or Breathing Problems: If smoked improperly, salvia can cause respiratory distress or choking.

3. Addiction Potential

While salvia is not typically considered physically addictive, its powerful effects can lead to psychological dependence in some individuals. This means that someone may begin using salvia regularly in order to relive the intense experiences, even if it causes distress or disrupts daily life. The pursuit of altered states of consciousness can lead to compulsive use, making it harder to stop.

Recognizing Signs of Salvia Misuse

Salvia misuse can sometimes be difficult to detect, as its effects are short-lived and users may try to conceal their use. However, there are several key signs to watch for if you suspect someone is using salvia:

• Behavioral Changes: The person may become more secretive or withdrawn, particularly if they’re using salvia regularly.
• Mood Swings or Emotional Distress: After using salvia, individuals may experience emotional instability, anxiety, or paranoia.
• Increased Use: Seeking out salvia more frequently or using it in unsafe settings, such as while driving or alone, could be a sign of misuse.
• Cognitive Impairment: Difficulty remembering recent events, making decisions, or solving problems can indicate cognitive changes from salvia use.

If you notice these signs in someone you care about, it’s important to seek help from a professional addiction treatment center in Boston to address the misuse before it leads to more serious consequences.

Salvia Legal Status and Regulation

Salvia divinorum, commonly known as salvia, is a psychoactive plant that has been the subject of varying legal status and regulations across the United States and other countries. In the United States, salvia’s legal status differs by state. As of now, 15 states have explicitly banned the possession, sale, and use of salvia, including states like Nevada, Tennessee, Delaware, and Texas. However, in many other states, salvia remains legal and is sold openly in head shops, online, and at some local retail stores.

The primary reason for this inconsistency in regulation is the lack of clear scientific consensus on the plant’s potential dangers and effects. Some states have chosen to regulate salvia under controlled substance laws due to concerns over its psychoactive properties and the potential for misuse. Others have opted to regulate it as a drug of concern rather than a controlled substance, allowing its sale and use with certain restrictions, such as age limits. Internationally, countries like Australia, New Zealand, and Italy have banned salvia entirely, while countries like the UK have more relaxed regulations.

The Psychological Effects of Salvia

Salvia has been known to produce intense and short-lived psychological effects that can last anywhere from a few minutes to an hour. The primary active compound in salvia, known as salvinorin A, acts directly on the brain’s kappa-opioid receptors, creating experiences that are vastly different from traditional hallucinogens like LSD or psilocybin.

Users often describe salvia trips as bizarre, disorienting, and surreal, with intense visual and auditory hallucinations, feelings of depersonalization, and a distorted sense of time and space. Some users experience vivid, dream-like states where they may see vivid colors, patterns, shapes, or landscapes that seem to morph and change rapidly. Others may feel as though they are moving through or into different planes of existence.

However, the psychological effects of salvia can be highly unpredictable and vary greatly from one person to another. Some individuals report having deeply insightful and positive experiences; others have described terrifying episodes of paranoia, confusion, or hallucinations so intense that they felt as though they were trapped in a bad dream or experiencing something akin to a panic attack.

The unpredictable nature of salvia’s effects makes it difficult to use recreationally, and it can be particularly problematic for individuals with a history of mental health issues such as schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, or severe anxiety. For these individuals, salvia use can trigger or exacerbate symptoms, leading to distressing experiences.

Salvia and Risk of Accidents or Injury

One of the most significant concerns associated with salvia use is the risk of accidents and injuries due to its powerful and destabilizing effects. Because of its disorienting nature, salvia use can lead to impaired judgment, reduced coordination, and difficulty maintaining balance. As a result, individuals using salvia are at an increased risk of:

• Falls and Injuries: Users have reported stumbling, falling, or losing their balance while under the influence of salvia. In some cases, this has resulted in injuries like cuts, bruises, broken bones, or head injuries.
• Traffic Accidents: Because salvia impairs cognitive function and coordination, it can be especially dangerous for those who choose to drive while under its influence. There have been reports of accidents and near-misses involving drivers who had used salvia.
• Risky Behaviors: Some individuals using salvia may engage in risky behaviors, such as climbing dangerous heights, attempting to cross busy streets, or participating in other high-stakes activities. This can lead to severe accidents and injuries.

The short duration of salvia’s effects (lasting only a few minutes to an hour) can also give users a false sense of security, leading them to believe they are no longer under the influence when they still are. Because of this, it’s essential to use caution and have a trusted sober companion if you’re considering experimenting with salvia.

How to Seek Help for Salvia Abuse at an Addiction Treatment Center in Boston

Salvia use, especially when it leads to psychological dependence, can significantly impact mental health and well-being. It is important for individuals to seek professional help to address the underlying causes of drug use and create healthier coping mechanisms.

Greater Boston Addiction Centers offer specialized programs for individuals struggling with substance abuse and mental health disorders, including hallucinogen misuse. Our comprehensive Addiction Treatment Programs address both the physical and psychological aspects of addiction through:

• Medical Detoxification: This is the first step in any addiction treatment plan, ensuring the patient is safely and comfortably withdrawn from the drug.
• Individual and Group Therapy: We provide both one-on-one therapy and group counseling sessions that help individuals explore the emotional and psychological reasons behind their drug use.
• Family Therapy: Involving loved ones in the recovery process helps rebuild relationships and fosters a strong support network for long-term sobriety.
• Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT): CBT helps patients identify and change negative thought patterns that contribute to substance misuse.
• Holistic Therapies: These may include mindfulness, yoga, and art therapy, offering alternative ways to manage stress and emotions.

Our Addiction Therapy Programs are tailored to meet the unique needs of each individual, whether they’re dealing with salvia addiction, alcohol abuse, or another substance.

Conclusion

Salvia may seem like a harmless or novel way to experience altered states of consciousness, but the risks associated with its use far outweigh the temporary effects. Whether you or a loved one is dealing with salvia abuse or any other form of addiction, Greater Boston Addiction Centers is here to help.

With personalized drug rehab treatment programs, therapy options, and a supportive environment, we help individuals recover from the psychological and physical impacts of substance abuse. If you or someone you care about is struggling with salvia use, don’t hesitate to contact us today for more information about our addiction treatment programs and how we can support you on your recovery journey. Call us directly at (617) 749-0166 to get the support and guidance you need!

FAQs on Salvia Use and Treatment

Is salvia addictive?

While salvia is not considered physically addictive, it can lead to psychological dependence, where individuals may continue using the drug in search of its effects.

How long do the effects of salvia last?

The effects of salvia are short-lived, usually lasting between 20 minutes to an hour, though the intensity of the experience can feel much longer.

Can salvia cause long-term psychological issues?

Yes, frequent use of salvia can exacerbate underlying mental health issues, and in some cases, it may trigger psychosis, paranoia, or other serious psychological effects.

How can I help a loved one who is using salvia?

If someone you know is using salvia, it’s important to approach them with compassion and understanding. Encouraging them to seek professional help, such as addiction therapy or counseling, can be a key step in the recovery process.