so jpw and i were sitting around and he was telling me about somebody who had emailed him complaining about some legislative overreaction to the not-illegal, not-illicit herbal hallucinogen salvia divinorum, a member of the sage family (mint clan).
although interested, because all things medicinal-herbal-related are interesting to me, i was extremely dubious that this herb was actually getting people high - i remember people smoking banana peels and eating packets of burpee morning-glory seeds and insisting they were soooooo high - and youtube videos of giggling teenagers just were not enough to initially convince me.
so naturally i started out at pubmed, the national medical research archive, where i began to find out...
all about salvia divinorum
Eduardo R. Butelman et al., Laboratory on the Biology of Addictive Diseases, Rockefeller University, New York:
The main aim of these studies was to examine the neuroendocrine effects of the widely available hallucinogen salvinorin A [natural source, salvia divinorum] in an assay shown to be a useful biomarker for kappa-opioid agonist effects in rhesus monkeys.
...IV salvinorin A caused robust dose-dependent prolactin release in male rhesus monkeys... As expected from prior studies in humans, probe experiments with salvinorin A in gonadally intact female monkeys revealed quantitatively greater effects.
...In summary, the widely available hallucinogen salvinorin A produced effects consistent with high-efficacy agonist actions at kappa-receptors... consistent with reports of fast onset and relatively short duration of salvinorin A-containing preparations in humans.
what is the significance of kappa-opioid receptors? Wikipedia:
Kappa-opioid receptor (partial) agonists have hallucinogenic ("psychotomimetic") effects... It is thought that the hallucinogenic effects of drugs such as butorphanol [Stadol, narcotic used in childbirth]... serve to limit their opiate abuse potential. In the case of salvinorin A... these hallucinogenic effects are sought after. While salvinorin A is considered a hallucinogen, its effects are qualitatively different than those produced by the classical psychedelic hallucinogens such as LSD or mescaline.
Activation of the kappa-opioid receptor appears to antagonize many of the effects of the mu-opioid receptor [classic opioid receptor, bound by narcotics]. Kappa ligands are also known for their characteristic diuretic effects, due to their negative regulation of antidiuretic hormone (ADH). Kappa agonism is neuroprotective against hypoxia/ischemia. Kappa-receptors are located in the periphery by pain neurons, in the spinal cord and in the brain.
Non-specific opioid receptor antagonists (e.g., naloxone [Narcan, antidote for heroin overdose]) as well as the mixed opioid agonist/antagonist buprenorphine [Subutex, used to facilitate narcotics withdrawal] can be used to reverse the effects of kappa agonists.
Débora González et al, Departamento de Psicología Biologica y de la Salud,Universidad Autónoma de Madrid, Spain:
Retrospective assessment of the subjective effects induced by salvia was conducted by means of self-assessment questionnaires. The following questionnaires were administered:
The Hallucinogen Rating Scale [1994]... includes 71 items distributed into six scales:
Somaesthesia, reflecting somatic effects including interoceptive, visceral and tactile effects;
affect, sensitive to emotional and affective responses;
volition, indicating the volunteer's capacity to willfully interact with his/her “self” and/or the environment;
cognition, describing modifications in thought processes or content;
perception, measuring visual, auditory, gustatory and olfactory experiences;
finally intensity, which reflects the strength of the overall experience.
The ARCI [1971] consists of five scales or groups:
MBG, morphine-benzedrine group, measuring euphoria and positive mood;
PCAG, pentobarbital-chlorpromazine-alcohol group, measuring sedation;
LSD, lysergic acid diethylamide scale, measuring somatic-dysphoric effects;
BG, the benzedrine group, measuring intellectual energy and efficiency,
and the A scale, an empirically derived scale measuring amphetamine-like effects.
The State-Trait Anxiety Inventory-S [1970] is a brief 20-item self-rating scale for the assessment of state anxiety.
The Altered States of Consciousness Questionnaire [Aussergewohnliche Psychische Zustande, 1998] includes 72 items distributed in three subscales:
Oceanic Boundlessness [Ozeanische Selbstentgrenzung], measuring changes in the sense of time, derealization and depersonalization;
Dread of Ego-Dissolution [Angstvolle IchAuflosung], measuring thought disorder and decreased body and thought control associated with arousal and anxiety,
and Visionary Restructuralization [Visionare Umstrukturierung] referring to visual phenomena, such as illusions, hallucinations and synesthesia and to changes in the significance of objects.
...The most commonly cited positive effects were the 'trip' the drug elicits (41%), followed by its euphoric (28%) and dissociative effects (19%). Among the worst aspects, its short duration (38%) was the most frequently cited.
...Fourteen volunteers (44%) reported having experienced some degree of malaise, hang-over or 'comedown' immediately after the acute effects of salvia. These effects... essentially describe physical and mental tiredness. All volunteers unanimously agreed that these unpleasant effects were no longer present 1 day after salvia use, and that they had never experienced any mid-term unpleasant sensations they could attribute to salvia. Only one volunteer commented on having had problems with studies, work or relatives due to the use of salvia. He complained that friends who do not habitually use psychotropic substances were worried about his experimenting with drugs.
...When asked if they would like to take salvia regularly, only 44% of the subjects responded affirmatively.
...Scores on the HRS subscales confirm the psychedelic-like effects of salvia... The score in the volition subscale, which reflects the subject's degree of incapacitation, is the highest ever observed by our group... and is even larger than that recorded by Strassman and colleagues after the highest intravenous DMT dose they administered [1994].
...Scores on the APZ-OSE subscale provide insight into the high degree of derealization experienced by the participants, in line with the most frequently cited positive aspect of the drug, i.e. the sensation of entering another reality.
...An interesting aspect of the subjective effect profile of salvia is the simultaneous high scores on the LSD and PCAG scales observed. This is not a characteristic feature of the classical psychedelics... However, this unusual pattern combining modifications in somatic-dysphoric effects and sedation/impairment has been reported for agonists of the opioid kappa receptor.
...To sum up, smoking extracts of salvia appears to be the most common form of use of the drug among recreational users. In the sample studied, this form of administration led to a very fast onset of effects which were intense but short-lived. The psychotropic effects reported bear similarities to those induced by the classical psychedelics regarding changes in perception, mood and somatic sensations. However, the increased derealization observed and the consequent decrease in the ability to interact with themselves and their surroundings appears to be particularly high for salvia.
sage-smoker.
John H. Halpern, Biological Psychiatry Laboratory, Alcohol and Drug Abuse Research Center, Harvard Medical School:
Salvia divinorum is from the mint family (Lamiaceae) and contains the psychoactive neoclerodane diterpene salvinorin-A... Traditionally consumed by Mazatec Indians of Oaxaca, Mexico... these plants are now grown and sold in the United States for ingestion by people who obviously do not have a historical ceremonial connection to this plant. The leaves are sometimes smoked, but these new consumers are also purchasing concentrated extracts of the plant.
...When smoked, salvinorin-A is psychoactive for 15 min at doses of 200-500 mcg; oral absorption leads to a less intense intoxication lasting up to 1 hr. Although the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) has not scheduled Salvia divinorum, they are closely monitoring it as a possibly emerging drug of abuse... With no reinforcing properties, harm from Salvia divinorum most likely occurs from inadequate preparation or from settings in which it is dangerous to be intoxicated with any drug at all (e.g., such as driving).
...Many other Lamiaceae ornamentals may ultimately prove to be psychoactive similar to Salvia divinorum, including Coleus spp. plants that are very popular in gardens and prized for their intense leaf colors. Indeed, leaves of Coleus blumei and Coleus pumilus are sometimes chewed by Mazatec Indians instead of Salvia divinorum, although to date, only Salvia divinorum has been found to contain salvinorin-A. A more determined search for a Salvia divinorum substitute might be triggered by placement of Salvia divinorum into Schedule I. If such a plant exists, a whole Pandora's box of legal nightmares might be unleashed in trying to restrict popular access to these common houseplants.
however, per sagewisdom dot org:
Louisiana, Missouri, Tennessee, Oklahoma, Delaware, Maine, North Dakota, and Illinois are the only states in the USA that have laws prohibiting possession of Salvia divinorum. Louisiana and Oklahoma have provisions in their laws that allow possession of the plant when it is not intended for human consumption. In Oklahoma, plain Salvia divinorum is legal, but extract-enhanced leaves are not. The state of Maine only prohibits possesion by minors.
...In October of 2002, a bill was introduced to the United States Congress that proposed to place Salvia divinorum and salvinorin A in schedule 1 of the Controlled Substances Act... It died with the dissolution of the 107th Congress at the end of 2002. The author of the bill, Representative Joe Baca of California (democrat), has recently stated that he will not reintroduce the bill.
from livejournal's salvia_world:
I smoked some 15x Salvia divinorum extract the other night with my best friend. We smoked quite a bit and started to feel really... trippy... It felt like we kept bumping and sort of... merging into one another. Then I'd just randomly stop moving because I'd think of something out of this world and then seconds later I wouldn't be able to comprehend what it was I was thinking.
The trippiest thing that happened was I leaned against my wall and there was a woman attached to me... She wasn't actually a woman but rather represented a woman, and all I remember is that she was blue and was kind of guiding me or commanding me. And then it seemed like my friend was attached to my other side, but then he moved away and broke the attachment and I was like calling him to come back.
Anyone have any similar experiences?
...
I recently introduced my ex-girlfriend to salvia and she had a terrible experience. I don't want to say this to worry you or dissuade you, but she was too nervous. If you're too nervous, don't do it.
There are thresholds you can reach that are naturally weird and scary. It's part of the process of "entering the wormhole" or "spiraling through the hidden dimensions" or however you'll come to describe it. Sometimes even my best, most meaningful consultations contain moments of sheer terror.
But if you're mentally prepared and comfortable taking salvia, it can be an amazing experience. You can reach a place that I feel is the end-state of time, where a number of other benevolent beings exist. Most people only talk about the sage goddess, but I've felt more presences than her alone, for sure. You will see fantastic things but you will only remember shreds. I believe they permit you to retain just as much as you need to go on... When you make the breakthrough it will all be worth it.
...
I've had a repeating experience with Salvia. The last time was very pronounced. I feel like she likes to correct my posture. When I am with her, I feel the urge to sit up with my spine straight and if I don't do so I get uncomfortable pressure in my head.
The last time, I was repeatedly making adjustments and corrections until my posture was perfect and the effect has lasted long after the duration of the experience. The sensation was very interesting because it seemed to be happening without my conscious will involved. My spine kept rolling upwards and straight without any control on my part. My friend said he could see it happening and my friends have noticed how my posture has improved. Thank you Salvia!
discourse, discourse
from a russian salvia community, bluelight dot ru:
Q: I need some help finding pictures of salvia goddess ive seen her on my 2nd hit and didnt even know wut is she ... named her "mother flower" i dunno why... then my friend told me the story and shown me a pic but it was some nonsense syekelic drawing ... i look for the pic on google could find only 1 similar picture with the same circles on her head but it was named as uhh maria the shepherdess or some other crap... the one i found was lookin too innocent
A: Was she dressed in white? not kidding, serious question
Q: no she wasnt dressed i could just see her head... eyes were clozed and had few circles over her head... she her face was actually more like sleeping or just standing there listening to me or smt dunno ..i mean not angry not happy ... and there were 2 vines on her sides.
A: I don't know what pic you mention, but yes the salvia goddess is known as Ska Maria la Pastora or Leaves of Mary the Sheperdess. Obviously the name of the plant has undergone change through christianity hybridizing pre-Conquest native beliefs.
Leander J. Valdes III et al, Journal of Ethnopharmacology 1983:
The following report is based on fieldwork with a Mazatec curandero... over many visits during the summer of 1979 and spring of 1980.
...One learns to become a shaman through an informal apprenticeship, although the Mazatecs will insist they are taught by a progression of visions from and of heaven, rather than by people... Vision inducers are taken systematically at intervals of a week to a month. Once one becomes a healer the hallucinogenic plants are ingested much less frequently.
The process begins by taking successively increasing doses of Salvia divinorum for a number of times to become acquainted with the "way to heaven"... Ska Maria Pastora is, pharmacologically, the weakest of the three hallucinogenic plants. Following its ingestion the Virgin Mary is supposed to speak to the individual, but only in absolute quiet and darkness. The relatively mild experience is readily terminated by noise (such as a loud voice) or light.
... According to Don Alejandro, ni-to, or the mushrooms-that-one-takes [psilocybin] are unlike the other two plants. The fungi are delicado (delicate), nervioso (nervous), una cosa de envidia (a thing of envy). Unfortunately the English translations of these terms do not convey the Indian-Spanish concept of magic that has a dangerous and sinister side. Santa Ana and San Venanzio, the Saints the curandero associates with the mushrooms, were not as good at healing... Eating too many of the fungi can "leave one crazy" and the visions are often trucos (tricky)... As Don Alejandro stated it, "The Maria, on the other hand, accepts you (La Maria, en cambio, te acepta)."
...A low dose serves as what the investigators interpreted to be a "tonic"... to cure the following "illnesses", although there may be other possible uses:
1. It helps one defecate and urinate. It stops diarrhea (the plant apparently is believed to regulate eliminatory functions).
2. It is given to the sick, old or dying to revive them or alleviate their illness. People who are pale, white and almost ready to die (they have "anemia") may recuperate on taking la Maria.
3. It may be taken to relieve headaches and rheumatism.
In shamanic training, the future healer takes la Maria to learn the ways of healing and the identification and use of medicinal plants (there is supposedly a tree in Heaven with all such herbs in it and one talks to God and the Saints about them under the influence of the hallucinogens).
...The shaman repeatedly emphasized that it was important to describe one's visions: "If you are going to learn or if you are going to understand what it is all about, you must speak." ...Following Mazatec custom, at least one person didn't participate, in order to watch over the rest.
...It is beyond the scope of this paper to comment on the efficacy of S. divinorum in treatment of the various "folk ailments"... However, it should be noted that many Salvia species are used medicinally throughout the world, and the genus name itself comes from the Latin salvare, to save. The Middle English name for sage was save or saue, from the Latin Salvia via Old English Saluie, and Chaucer mentions it as a cure for wounds and broken limbs in "The Knightes Tale". Salvia miltiorrhiza, or tan-shen, is one of the five astral remedies in Chinese medicine... and is listed in "A Barefoot Doctor's Manual"... Diaz lists nine species as being used medicinally in Mexico.
"the separation of consciousness
from the body's shell in the form
of a rowboat exiting the face backwards" [salvia art]
Marine Corps News, 12/8/2005:
Salvia is not a controlled substance and is not illegal, according to the U.S. Department of Justice Drug Enforcement Administration. The drug can still get you in trouble in the Marine Corps, and any Marine caught using or in possession of salvia will be charged with Article 92 of the Uniformed Code of Military Justice, which is failure to obey an order or regulation... Punitive action, adverse administrative action or both can be taken against personnel who use salvia.
"Actually, it's not very new to those in the know, but the use of salvia divinorum is on the rise in the military," said Col. Mick McCue, the staff judge advocate with Marine Forces Atlantic. "It is currently not listed on any of the Controlled Substances schedules and is therefore not currently covered by Article 112A of the UCMJ." ..."No one has been caught on Lejeune because it is not tested for at the [urinalysis lab]," said Staff Sgt. Gregory Hubbard, the substance abuse counselor for Headquarters and Support Battalion, Marine Corps Base.
random internet prices:
Dried Salvia divinorum leaf imported from Oaxaca Mexico. 15 g $16.50
5X Recommended potency. 1 g $15.00
10X Because of the extraordinary potency of this product, it is recommended only for those already experienced with Salvia. Please use extreme caution with this product. 1 g $25.00
20X Because of the extraordinary potency of this product, it is recommended only for those already experienced with Salvia. Please use extreme caution with this product. 1 g $35.00
40X Because of the extraordinary potency of this product, it is recommended only for those already experienced with Salvia. Please use extreme caution with this product. 1/2 g $35.00
so now you know as much as i do. jpw, i stand corrected.
