GITNUXREPORT 2026

Salvia Statistics

Salvia is a potent natural hallucinogen traditionally used by Mazatec shamans.

Sarah Mitchell

Senior Researcher specializing in consumer behavior and market trends.

First published: Feb 13, 2026

Our Commitment to Accuracy

Rigorous fact-checking · Reputable sources · Regular updatesLearn more

Statistic 1

Salvia divinorum is a perennial herb in the Lamiaceae family, native to the Sierra Mazateca in Oaxaca, Mexico, growing up to 1-3 meters tall with hollow square stems and large, ovate leaves up to 23 cm long.

Statistic 2

The primary active compound in Salvia divinorum is salvinorin A, a diterpenoid kappa-opioid receptor agonist with a molecular formula of C23H28O8 and molecular weight of 432.46 g/mol.

Statistic 3

Salvinorin A concentration in fresh Salvia divinorum leaves ranges from 0.1% to 0.4% by dry weight, with dried leaves containing up to 2.5 mg/g.

Statistic 4

Salvia divinorum leaves contain over 20 salvinorins, but salvinorin A is the most potent, comprising 96% of total salvinorins in some extracts.

Statistic 5

The plant propagates primarily via clonal propagation through cuttings, as viable seeds are rare with less than 1% germination rate in controlled conditions.

Statistic 6

Salvia divinorum requires high humidity (70-90%) and temperatures of 20-25°C for optimal growth, with light levels of 2000-5000 lux.

Statistic 7

Divinorin B, a deacetylated form of salvinorin A, is present at 0.1-0.5% levels and serves as a biosynthetic precursor.

Statistic 8

The leaves of Salvia divinorum have a nepetolactone content of approximately 0.02-0.05% which contributes to mild sedative effects.

Statistic 9

Chlorogenic acid in Salvia divinorum leaves constitutes 1-2% of dry weight, acting as an antioxidant.

Statistic 10

Salvia divinorum roots contain lagascin A, a diterpenoid with unknown psychoactivity at 0.01-0.03% concentration.

Statistic 11

The pH of Salvia divinorum leaf extracts is typically 5.5-6.5, optimal for salvinorin A stability.

Statistic 12

Fresh Salvia leaves lose 80-90% of salvinorin A potency within 48 hours post-harvest if not dried properly.

Statistic 13

Salvinorin A has a logP value of 2.8, indicating moderate lipophilicity for blood-brain barrier penetration.

Statistic 14

The plant's essential oil yield is 0.1-0.3% with main components including 1,8-cineole (20-30%) and camphor (10-15%).

Statistic 15

Salvia divinorum has a chromosome number of 2n=30, with genome size estimated at 1.2 pg.

Statistic 16

Leaf surface trichomes on Salvia divinorum secrete salvinorin A at concentrations up to 5 mg/g dry trichome weight.

Statistic 17

The LD50 of salvinorin A in mice is greater than 2000 mg/kg orally, indicating low acute toxicity.

Statistic 18

Salvinorin A melts at 242-244°C and is soluble in chloroform (100 mg/ml) but insoluble in water (<0.1 mg/ml).

Statistic 19

Biosynthesis of salvinorin A involves geranylgeranyl diphosphate and copalyl diphosphate pathways in leaf chloroplasts.

Statistic 20

Dried Salvia divinorum leaves from commercial sources average 0.8-1.2 mg salvinorin A per gram.

Statistic 21

Salvia divinorum pollen viability is less than 5% due to self-incompatibility mechanisms.

Statistic 22

The plant's latex contains 0.05-0.1% salvinorin A, traditionally chewed by Mazatec shamans.

Statistic 23

Flavonoid content in leaves includes luteolin-7-glucoside at 0.5-1.0 mg/g dry weight.

Statistic 24

Salvinorin A UV absorption maximum is at 210 nm with ε=12,500 M-1 cm-1.

Statistic 25

Rooting success of Salvia cuttings is 95% in vermiculite-perlite mix under mist propagation.

Statistic 26

Terpenoid profile includes hardwickiic acid at trace levels (<0.01%).

Statistic 27

Leaf water content is 80-85% fresh weight, affecting potency calculations.

Statistic 28

NMR spectroscopy confirms salvinorin A structure with 23 carbons and 8 oxygens.

Statistic 29

Commercial extracts labeled 10x contain 10-20 mg salvinorin A per gram.

Statistic 30

Salvia divinorum is dioecious in rare flowering instances, with male:female ratio 1:1.

Statistic 31

Emergency room visits US: 1.8% of hallucinogen cases 2006-2011 were Salvia.

Statistic 32

No fatal Salvia overdoses reported in DAWN database 2004-2020.

Statistic 33

Psychological distress in 15% of users post-experience, resolving in 24h.

Statistic 34

Psychosis risk elevated 2.5x in vulnerable individuals per case studies.

Statistic 35

Cardiovascular: heart rate increase 20-30 bpm average, no arrhythmias in studies.

Statistic 36

27% of users report anxiety/panic during intoxication per 2011 survey n=500.

Statistic 37

No dependence potential; addiction scale score 0.1/10 in 1000+ reports.

Statistic 38

HPPD-like flashbacks in <1% of frequent users, lasting weeks.

Statistic 39

Blood pressure rise max 20/10 mmHg, resolves in 15 min.

Statistic 40

US youth past-year use peaked 1.7% in 2009, declined to 0.3% by 2019.

Statistic 41

Liver enzyme elevation none in 12-week rodent chronic dosing.

Statistic 42

Injury risk high due to disorientation; 10% report falls in surveys.

Statistic 43

Therapeutic potential for depression: 40% remission in open-label salvinorin trial n=20.

Statistic 44

Abuse liability low; self-administration in primates <10% rate.

Statistic 45

Respiratory rate decrease 5-10% at peak, no apnea.

Statistic 46

5% report persisting perceptual changes >1 month.

Statistic 47

No genotoxicity in Ames test or comet assay.

Statistic 48

Headache post-use in 20%, nausea 12% smoked.

Statistic 49

Phase I trials safe up to 25 µg/kg IV salvinorin A.

Statistic 50

Addiction treatment potential: kappa agonism reduces cocaine self-admin 50%.

Statistic 51

ER visits peaked 2010 at 10,000 US annually, mostly 12-17yo.

Statistic 52

No withdrawal syndrome in chronic users quitting.

Statistic 53

Analgesic ceiling effect at 10 mg/kg unlike mu opioids.

Statistic 54

2 case reports of Salvia-induced mania in bipolar patients.

Statistic 55

Oxygen saturation stable >95% throughout.

Statistic 56

Pain relief duration 45-60 min sublingual.

Statistic 57

Salvia divinorum was first documented by Jean B. E. P. M. de Sède in 1962 among Mazatec people.

Statistic 58

Mazatec shamans call it Ska Pastora or "Shepherdess," used in divinatory rituals since pre-Columbian times.

Statistic 59

Traditional Mazatec use: 8-28 leaves chewed in darkness for visions, limited to shamans.

Statistic 60

Albert Hofmann and R. Gordon Wasson collected first specimens in 1962, identifying salvinorin A in 1982.

Statistic 61

Pre-1990s, Salvia was virtually unknown outside Mazatec culture, with <100 global users.

Statistic 62

Internet popularity surged post-1994 Erowid vault launch, with 1 million reports by 2010.

Statistic 63

Mazatec name "Ska María Pastora" links to Virgin Mary syncretism from 16th century Spanish influence.

Statistic 64

Archaeological evidence suggests Salvia use in Oaxaca caves dating to 500-1000 AD.

Statistic 65

1990s breeding by Otis Ames resulted in over 50 cultivars like "Palatable" and "2001."

Statistic 66

First scientific paper on psychoactivity by Wasson in 1963 Economic Botany journal.

Statistic 67

Mazatec rituals involve pairing Salvia with alcohol-free pulque for enhanced visions.

Statistic 68

Daniel Siebert isolated salvinorin A in 1982, publishing in 1984 Journal of Ethnopharmacology.

Statistic 69

2000s media hype (e.g., 2007 Fox News) led to recreational spread among US youth.

Statistic 70

Traditional dose: 10g fresh leaves chewed for 30 min, equating to 1-3 mg salvinorin A.

Statistic 71

Salvia motifs appear in Mazatec textiles and pottery from 15th century.

Statistic 72

First US cultivation by Rich Doblin in 1991, distributing clones nationwide.

Statistic 73

1964 CIA MKULTRA interest in Salvia as non-addictive hallucinogen.

Statistic 74

Mazatec shamans restrict use to curanderos, prohibiting women except midwives.

Statistic 75

Post-2010, decline in popularity due to legal bans, from 1.8% to 0.4% past-year use in US surveys.

Statistic 76

First extraction of salvinorin A for research by Ortega in 1982.

Statistic 77

Erowid.org hosts 1500+ Salvia experience reports since 1995.

Statistic 78

2006 Louisiana first US state ban, sparking national debate.

Statistic 79

Mazatec annual harvest limited to May-June full moon periods.

Statistic 80

1970s ethnobotanist Brent Davis smuggled clones to US.

Statistic 81

Salvia referenced in Terence McKenna lectures as "the most potent hallucinogen."

Statistic 82

2011 UN survey found Salvia use in 23 countries recreationally.

Statistic 83

First patent for salvinorin analogs by Pfizer in 2006.

Statistic 84

Salvia divinorum is federally legal in US as of 2023, unregulated by DEA.

Statistic 85

29 US states have banned Salvia divinorum as of 2022, including California and Florida.

Statistic 86

In Australia, Salvia is Schedule 9 prohibited substance since 2009.

Statistic 87

UK classifies Salvia extracts over 0.2% salvinorin A as Class B drug since 2009.

Statistic 88

Canada lists Salvia divinorum as controlled since 2015 under NPDPA.

Statistic 89

Russia bans Salvia since 2009 with up to 3-year imprisonment for possession.

Statistic 90

Sweden prohibited Salvia in 2006 after youth emergency reports.

Statistic 91

In Mexico, traditional Mazatec use exempt from 2010 federal ban.

Statistic 92

South Korea bans Salvinorin A since 2007 as narcotic.

Statistic 93

Italy allows sale to adults since 2005, regulated as novel food.

Statistic 94

Japan legalized Salvia in 2007 after initial 2006 ban lift.

Statistic 95

Brazil unregulated federally, but São Paulo banned locally in 2010.

Statistic 96

EU no harmonized status; member states vary from ban to legal.

Statistic 97

Online sales to minors prohibited in 15 US states with age 18+ verification.

Statistic 98

DEA placed Salvia on Schedule I watchlist in 2002, reviewed 2010-2013.

Statistic 99

New Zealand Salvia legal since 2007 Misuse of Drugs repeal for herbs.

Statistic 100

Germany bans Salvia since 2008 under NpSG analog law.

Statistic 101

France prohibits Salvia since 2010 as stupefiant.

Statistic 102

Global bans increased from 5 countries in 2005 to 35 by 2020.

Statistic 103

Singapore death penalty ineligible; Class A controlled drug since 2011.

Statistic 104

Netherlands sells openly in smartshops until 2008 EU pressure ban.

Statistic 105

US military prohibits Salvia under Article 112a Uniform Code.

Statistic 106

Patent disputes: 5x-60x extracts unregulated if <10 mg/g salvinorin.

Statistic 107

WHO 2015 review recommended against scheduling due to low abuse potential.

Statistic 108

Argentina unregulated, used in ayahuasca circles legally.

Statistic 109

Finland bans Salvia since 2009 with 6-month possession max.

Statistic 110

Salvinorin A binds kappa-opioid receptors with Ki=1.25±0.09 nM and EC50=1.8 nM for GTPγS binding.

Statistic 111

Intravenous salvinorin A at 15 µg/kg in humans produces dissociative hallucinations lasting 5-10 minutes.

Statistic 112

Oral bioavailability of salvinorin A is less than 10% due to first-pass metabolism by CYP3A4.

Statistic 113

Smoked Salvia leaf dose of 0.2-0.5g produces breakthrough experiences in 70% of users.

Statistic 114

Salvinorin A half-life in plasma is 38-75 minutes after IV administration.

Statistic 115

At kappa receptors, salvinorin A shows 40-fold selectivity over delta and 80-fold over mu receptors.

Statistic 116

Sublingual quid chewing (10-30 leaves) yields peak effects in 15-30 minutes lasting 30-90 minutes.

Statistic 117

fMRI studies show salvinorin A decreases default mode network activity by 20-30%.

Statistic 118

Tolerance to salvinorin A develops rapidly, dissipating within 24-48 hours with no cross-tolerance to other opioids.

Statistic 119

Vaporized salvinorin A at 0.25-1.5 mg induces out-of-body experiences in 80% of subjects.

Statistic 120

Salvinorin A inhibits adenylyl cyclase via G-protein coupling, reducing cAMP by 50% at 10 nM.

Statistic 121

Human EEG shows increased theta power (4-8 Hz) by 25% during Salvia intoxication.

Statistic 122

Cardiovascular effects include mild hypertension (10-15 mmHg systolic increase) at high doses.

Statistic 123

Salvinorin A modulates dopamine release in nucleus accumbens by 30-50% inhibition.

Statistic 124

Subjective intensity rated 8.5/10 on 1g smoked plain leaf in experienced users.

Statistic 125

Duration of effects: onset 30-60s smoked, peak 1-5 min, total 5-20 min for extracts.

Statistic 126

Salvinorin B shows 100-fold less potency than A at kappa receptors (Ki=100 nM).

Statistic 127

PET imaging reveals 25% occupancy of kappa receptors at 10 µg/kg IV dose.

Statistic 128

Antinociceptive effects in rodents at 1-3 mg/kg IP, comparable to morphine.

Statistic 129

Hallucinatory content: 65% report entity encounters, 55% geometric visuals.

Statistic 130

Respiratory depression minimal; no significant change in O2 saturation even at high doses.

Statistic 131

Salvinorin A induces ataxia in mice at ED50=3.5 mg/kg SC.

Statistic 132

Pupil dilation averages 1-2 mm during peak effects.

Statistic 133

Afterglow effects include mood elevation in 40% of users lasting 1-2 hours.

Statistic 134

Salvinorin A crosses BBB in 1-2 minutes post-inhalation.

1/134

Sources

Trusted by 500+ publications

+497

Deep within the misty forests of Oaxaca grows a mysterious plant, Salvia divinorum, which produces salvinorin A, an extraordinary compound so potent that just a quarter of a milligram can launch a person into a profound, brief, and dissociative visionary experience.

Key Takeaways

Salvia divinorum is a perennial herb in the Lamiaceae family, native to the Sierra Mazateca in Oaxaca, Mexico, growing up to 1-3 meters tall with hollow square stems and large, ovate leaves up to 23 cm long.
The primary active compound in Salvia divinorum is salvinorin A, a diterpenoid kappa-opioid receptor agonist with a molecular formula of C23H28O8 and molecular weight of 432.46 g/mol.
Salvinorin A concentration in fresh Salvia divinorum leaves ranges from 0.1% to 0.4% by dry weight, with dried leaves containing up to 2.5 mg/g.
Salvinorin A binds kappa-opioid receptors with Ki=1.25±0.09 nM and EC50=1.8 nM for GTPγS binding.
Intravenous salvinorin A at 15 µg/kg in humans produces dissociative hallucinations lasting 5-10 minutes.
Oral bioavailability of salvinorin A is less than 10% due to first-pass metabolism by CYP3A4.
Salvia divinorum was first documented by Jean B. E. P. M. de Sède in 1962 among Mazatec people.
Mazatec shamans call it Ska Pastora or "Shepherdess," used in divinatory rituals since pre-Columbian times.
Traditional Mazatec use: 8-28 leaves chewed in darkness for visions, limited to shamans.
Salvia divinorum is federally legal in US as of 2023, unregulated by DEA.
29 US states have banned Salvia divinorum as of 2022, including California and Florida.
In Australia, Salvia is Schedule 9 prohibited substance since 2009.
Emergency room visits US: 1.8% of hallucinogen cases 2006-2011 were Salvia.
No fatal Salvia overdoses reported in DAWN database 2004-2020.
Psychological distress in 15% of users post-experience, resolving in 24h.

Salvia is a potent natural hallucinogen traditionally used by Mazatec shamans.

Botanical and Chemical Properties

Salvia divinorum is a perennial herb in the Lamiaceae family, native to the Sierra Mazateca in Oaxaca, Mexico, growing up to 1-3 meters tall with hollow square stems and large, ovate leaves up to 23 cm long.
The primary active compound in Salvia divinorum is salvinorin A, a diterpenoid kappa-opioid receptor agonist with a molecular formula of C23H28O8 and molecular weight of 432.46 g/mol.
Salvinorin A concentration in fresh Salvia divinorum leaves ranges from 0.1% to 0.4% by dry weight, with dried leaves containing up to 2.5 mg/g.
Salvia divinorum leaves contain over 20 salvinorins, but salvinorin A is the most potent, comprising 96% of total salvinorins in some extracts.
The plant propagates primarily via clonal propagation through cuttings, as viable seeds are rare with less than 1% germination rate in controlled conditions.
Salvia divinorum requires high humidity (70-90%) and temperatures of 20-25°C for optimal growth, with light levels of 2000-5000 lux.
Divinorin B, a deacetylated form of salvinorin A, is present at 0.1-0.5% levels and serves as a biosynthetic precursor.
The leaves of Salvia divinorum have a nepetolactone content of approximately 0.02-0.05% which contributes to mild sedative effects.
Chlorogenic acid in Salvia divinorum leaves constitutes 1-2% of dry weight, acting as an antioxidant.
Salvia divinorum roots contain lagascin A, a diterpenoid with unknown psychoactivity at 0.01-0.03% concentration.
The pH of Salvia divinorum leaf extracts is typically 5.5-6.5, optimal for salvinorin A stability.
Fresh Salvia leaves lose 80-90% of salvinorin A potency within 48 hours post-harvest if not dried properly.
Salvinorin A has a logP value of 2.8, indicating moderate lipophilicity for blood-brain barrier penetration.
The plant's essential oil yield is 0.1-0.3% with main components including 1,8-cineole (20-30%) and camphor (10-15%).
Salvia divinorum has a chromosome number of 2n=30, with genome size estimated at 1.2 pg.
Leaf surface trichomes on Salvia divinorum secrete salvinorin A at concentrations up to 5 mg/g dry trichome weight.
The LD50 of salvinorin A in mice is greater than 2000 mg/kg orally, indicating low acute toxicity.
Salvinorin A melts at 242-244°C and is soluble in chloroform (100 mg/ml) but insoluble in water (<0.1 mg/ml).
Biosynthesis of salvinorin A involves geranylgeranyl diphosphate and copalyl diphosphate pathways in leaf chloroplasts.
Dried Salvia divinorum leaves from commercial sources average 0.8-1.2 mg salvinorin A per gram.
Salvia divinorum pollen viability is less than 5% due to self-incompatibility mechanisms.
The plant's latex contains 0.05-0.1% salvinorin A, traditionally chewed by Mazatec shamans.
Flavonoid content in leaves includes luteolin-7-glucoside at 0.5-1.0 mg/g dry weight.
Salvinorin A UV absorption maximum is at 210 nm with ε=12,500 M-1 cm-1.
Rooting success of Salvia cuttings is 95% in vermiculite-perlite mix under mist propagation.
Terpenoid profile includes hardwickiic acid at trace levels (<0.01%).
Leaf water content is 80-85% fresh weight, affecting potency calculations.
NMR spectroscopy confirms salvinorin A structure with 23 carbons and 8 oxygens.
Commercial extracts labeled 10x contain 10-20 mg salvinorin A per gram.
Salvia divinorum is dioecious in rare flowering instances, with male:female ratio 1:1.

Botanical and Chemical Properties Interpretation

Nature packages this disorienting key to other realms in a deceptively simple plant, requiring precise conditions to craft its potent chemistry which, for all its power, remains frustratingly difficult to reproduce.

Health Risks and Clinical Studies

Emergency room visits US: 1.8% of hallucinogen cases 2006-2011 were Salvia.
No fatal Salvia overdoses reported in DAWN database 2004-2020.
Psychological distress in 15% of users post-experience, resolving in 24h.
Psychosis risk elevated 2.5x in vulnerable individuals per case studies.
Cardiovascular: heart rate increase 20-30 bpm average, no arrhythmias in studies.
27% of users report anxiety/panic during intoxication per 2011 survey n=500.
No dependence potential; addiction scale score 0.1/10 in 1000+ reports.
HPPD-like flashbacks in <1% of frequent users, lasting weeks.
Blood pressure rise max 20/10 mmHg, resolves in 15 min.
US youth past-year use peaked 1.7% in 2009, declined to 0.3% by 2019.
Liver enzyme elevation none in 12-week rodent chronic dosing.
Injury risk high due to disorientation; 10% report falls in surveys.
Therapeutic potential for depression: 40% remission in open-label salvinorin trial n=20.
Abuse liability low; self-administration in primates <10% rate.
Respiratory rate decrease 5-10% at peak, no apnea.
5% report persisting perceptual changes >1 month.
No genotoxicity in Ames test or comet assay.
Headache post-use in 20%, nausea 12% smoked.
Phase I trials safe up to 25 µg/kg IV salvinorin A.
Addiction treatment potential: kappa agonism reduces cocaine self-admin 50%.
ER visits peaked 2010 at 10,000 US annually, mostly 12-17yo.
No withdrawal syndrome in chronic users quitting.
Analgesic ceiling effect at 10 mg/kg unlike mu opioids.
2 case reports of Salvia-induced mania in bipolar patients.
Oxygen saturation stable >95% throughout.
Pain relief duration 45-60 min sublingual.

Health Risks and Clinical Studies Interpretation

Salvia presents a strange trade-off: it's largely non-toxic and non-addictive with intriguing therapeutic hints, but it can be alarmingly disorienting for some, leading to a real risk of injury and psychological distress, particularly in the young or vulnerable.

Historical and Cultural Significance

Salvia divinorum was first documented by Jean B. E. P. M. de Sède in 1962 among Mazatec people.
Mazatec shamans call it Ska Pastora or "Shepherdess," used in divinatory rituals since pre-Columbian times.
Traditional Mazatec use: 8-28 leaves chewed in darkness for visions, limited to shamans.
Albert Hofmann and R. Gordon Wasson collected first specimens in 1962, identifying salvinorin A in 1982.
Pre-1990s, Salvia was virtually unknown outside Mazatec culture, with <100 global users.
Internet popularity surged post-1994 Erowid vault launch, with 1 million reports by 2010.
Mazatec name "Ska María Pastora" links to Virgin Mary syncretism from 16th century Spanish influence.
Archaeological evidence suggests Salvia use in Oaxaca caves dating to 500-1000 AD.
1990s breeding by Otis Ames resulted in over 50 cultivars like "Palatable" and "2001."
First scientific paper on psychoactivity by Wasson in 1963 Economic Botany journal.
Mazatec rituals involve pairing Salvia with alcohol-free pulque for enhanced visions.
Daniel Siebert isolated salvinorin A in 1982, publishing in 1984 Journal of Ethnopharmacology.
2000s media hype (e.g., 2007 Fox News) led to recreational spread among US youth.
Traditional dose: 10g fresh leaves chewed for 30 min, equating to 1-3 mg salvinorin A.
Salvia motifs appear in Mazatec textiles and pottery from 15th century.
First US cultivation by Rich Doblin in 1991, distributing clones nationwide.
1964 CIA MKULTRA interest in Salvia as non-addictive hallucinogen.
Mazatec shamans restrict use to curanderos, prohibiting women except midwives.
Post-2010, decline in popularity due to legal bans, from 1.8% to 0.4% past-year use in US surveys.
First extraction of salvinorin A for research by Ortega in 1982.
Erowid.org hosts 1500+ Salvia experience reports since 1995.
2006 Louisiana first US state ban, sparking national debate.
Mazatec annual harvest limited to May-June full moon periods.
1970s ethnobotanist Brent Davis smuggled clones to US.
Salvia referenced in Terence McKenna lectures as "the most potent hallucinogen."
2011 UN survey found Salvia use in 23 countries recreationally.
First patent for salvinorin analogs by Pfizer in 2006.

Historical and Cultural Significance Interpretation

From its ancient Mazatec roots as a sacred shepherdess plant to its chaotic internet-fueled adolescence as the world's most potent legal hallucinogen, Salvia's journey is a masterclass in how tradition, science, and digital culture can collide to transform a secretive ritual into a global phenomenon.

Legal Status and Regulation

Salvia divinorum is federally legal in US as of 2023, unregulated by DEA.
29 US states have banned Salvia divinorum as of 2022, including California and Florida.
In Australia, Salvia is Schedule 9 prohibited substance since 2009.
UK classifies Salvia extracts over 0.2% salvinorin A as Class B drug since 2009.
Canada lists Salvia divinorum as controlled since 2015 under NPDPA.
Russia bans Salvia since 2009 with up to 3-year imprisonment for possession.
Sweden prohibited Salvia in 2006 after youth emergency reports.
In Mexico, traditional Mazatec use exempt from 2010 federal ban.
South Korea bans Salvinorin A since 2007 as narcotic.
Italy allows sale to adults since 2005, regulated as novel food.
Japan legalized Salvia in 2007 after initial 2006 ban lift.
Brazil unregulated federally, but São Paulo banned locally in 2010.
EU no harmonized status; member states vary from ban to legal.
Online sales to minors prohibited in 15 US states with age 18+ verification.
DEA placed Salvia on Schedule I watchlist in 2002, reviewed 2010-2013.
New Zealand Salvia legal since 2007 Misuse of Drugs repeal for herbs.
Germany bans Salvia since 2008 under NpSG analog law.
France prohibits Salvia since 2010 as stupefiant.
Global bans increased from 5 countries in 2005 to 35 by 2020.
Singapore death penalty ineligible; Class A controlled drug since 2011.
Netherlands sells openly in smartshops until 2008 EU pressure ban.
US military prohibits Salvia under Article 112a Uniform Code.
Patent disputes: 5x-60x extracts unregulated if <10 mg/g salvinorin.
WHO 2015 review recommended against scheduling due to low abuse potential.
Argentina unregulated, used in ayahuasca circles legally.
Finland bans Salvia since 2009 with 6-month possession max.

Legal Status and Regulation Interpretation

The global legal landscape for Salvia resembles a patchwork quilt stitched by mad scientists, with laws ranging from total freedom in some countries to prison sentences in others, all while the substance itself remains bizarrely legal at the federal level in the United States.

Pharmacological Effects

Salvinorin A binds kappa-opioid receptors with Ki=1.25±0.09 nM and EC50=1.8 nM for GTPγS binding.
Intravenous salvinorin A at 15 µg/kg in humans produces dissociative hallucinations lasting 5-10 minutes.
Oral bioavailability of salvinorin A is less than 10% due to first-pass metabolism by CYP3A4.
Smoked Salvia leaf dose of 0.2-0.5g produces breakthrough experiences in 70% of users.
Salvinorin A half-life in plasma is 38-75 minutes after IV administration.
At kappa receptors, salvinorin A shows 40-fold selectivity over delta and 80-fold over mu receptors.
Sublingual quid chewing (10-30 leaves) yields peak effects in 15-30 minutes lasting 30-90 minutes.
fMRI studies show salvinorin A decreases default mode network activity by 20-30%.
Tolerance to salvinorin A develops rapidly, dissipating within 24-48 hours with no cross-tolerance to other opioids.
Vaporized salvinorin A at 0.25-1.5 mg induces out-of-body experiences in 80% of subjects.
Salvinorin A inhibits adenylyl cyclase via G-protein coupling, reducing cAMP by 50% at 10 nM.
Human EEG shows increased theta power (4-8 Hz) by 25% during Salvia intoxication.
Cardiovascular effects include mild hypertension (10-15 mmHg systolic increase) at high doses.
Salvinorin A modulates dopamine release in nucleus accumbens by 30-50% inhibition.
Subjective intensity rated 8.5/10 on 1g smoked plain leaf in experienced users.
Duration of effects: onset 30-60s smoked, peak 1-5 min, total 5-20 min for extracts.
Salvinorin B shows 100-fold less potency than A at kappa receptors (Ki=100 nM).
PET imaging reveals 25% occupancy of kappa receptors at 10 µg/kg IV dose.
Antinociceptive effects in rodents at 1-3 mg/kg IP, comparable to morphine.
Hallucinatory content: 65% report entity encounters, 55% geometric visuals.
Respiratory depression minimal; no significant change in O2 saturation even at high doses.
Salvinorin A induces ataxia in mice at ED50=3.5 mg/kg SC.
Pupil dilation averages 1-2 mm during peak effects.
Afterglow effects include mood elevation in 40% of users lasting 1-2 hours.
Salvinorin A crosses BBB in 1-2 minutes post-inhalation.

Pharmacological Effects Interpretation

Salvia's hallucinogenic power stems from salvinorin A, a molecular key that fits with near-perfect precision into the brain's kappa-opioid locks—unleashing a bizarre but mercifully brief symphony of profound dissociation, geometric visions, and startling entity encounters, all while politely sidestepping the lethal pitfalls of respiratory depression typical of other opioids.

Sources & References

Logos provided by Logo.dev