Salvia is an herb in the mint family native to Central and South America that produces hallucinogenic effects. It is commonly chewed, smoked, or vaporized. The effects are short-lived, lasting 1-30 minutes, as it targets opioid receptors in the brain, sometimes causing hallucinations or altered perceptions. While its effects are uncertain, it is currently legal in most states and more likely to be used experimentally by 12-23 year olds than as a party drug.

1. SALVIA
PAGE HIRONS

2. What is Salvia? (Salvia
divinorum)
 An herb in the mint family found in Northern Mexico,
Central, and South America
 It produces hallucinogenic experiences

3. How is it Used?
 Chewing fresh leaves
 Drinking the extracted
juices
 Smoked by rolling
cigarettes or pipes
 Vaporizing or inhaling
 More likely to be used
as an experimental drug
 Not really considered a
“party” drug
 Several states and
countries have legalized
this drug use

4. How Does it Effect Your
Brain?
 The salvia targets nerve cell adaptors in your brain-
called opioid receptors
 Hallucination may happen
 Different effects happen from LSD and other
hallucinogens
 Effects are short lived, and can last from 1-30 minutes

5. Feelings and Sensations
 Psychedelic-like changes in
vision, mood, or body
 Emotional Swings
 Feelings of detachment
 Modified perception of the
body and things around you
 There is concern for driving
under the influence of salvia

6. Interesting Points
 The main age for usage
is 12-23 years old
 No one really
understands the true
effects of the drug
 It is only legal in 21
states
 It is frequently paired
with the usage of
alcohol
 You never know what is
going to happen
 It has physically
addictive qualities
 Cardiovascular effects
are currently being
studied, along with
mental and physical
effects

7. Interesting Quotes
 The DEA has deemed salvia a “drug of
concern”, yet it is not controlled under the
Federal Controlled Substances act..
 “While surveying high school students since
2009, the usage of salvia seems to be going
down”
Source: WebMD

8. Discussion Questions
 Do you think the limited time span of the drug makes it
more usable/approachable?
 Do you think it should be legal, even though all of it’s
effects are still uncertain?
 Why do you think the drug it is more common to be
used by high school kids?

9. References
 WebMD-
http://www.webmd.com/parenting/features/salvia-
faq?page=3
 NIH-
http://www.drugabuse.gov/publications/drugfacts/salvia