SALVIA DIVINORUM AND SALVINORIN A

Salvia divinorum is a perennial herb in the mint family native to certain areas of the Sierra Mazateca region of Oaxaca, Mexico. The plant, which can grow to over 3 feet in height, has large green leaves, hollow square stems and white flowers with purple calyces, and can grow successfully outside of this region. Salvia divinorum has been employed by the Mazatec Indians for its hallucinogen effects for ritual divination and healing. The active constituent of Salvia divinorum has been identified as salvinorin A. Currently, neither Salvia divinorum nor any of its constituents, including salvinorin A, are controlled under the federal Controlled Substances Act (CSA).

Neither Salvia divinorum or its active constituent salvinorin A has an approved medical use in the U.S.

Salvinorin A, also called Divinorin A, is believed to be the ingredient responsible for the hallucinogenic effects of Salvia divinorum. Chemically, it is a neoclerodane diterpene found primarily in the leaves, and to a lesser extent in the stems. Although several other substances have been isolated from the plant, none have been shown to be psychoactive.

In the U.S., plant material is typically either chewed or smoked. When chewed, the leaf mass and juice are maintained within the cheek area with absorption occurring across the lining of the oral mucosa (buccal). Effects first appear within 5 to 10 minutes. Dried leaves, as well as extract-enhanced leaves purported to be enriched with salvinorin A, are also smoked. Smoking pure salvinorin A, at a dose of 200-500 micrograms, results in effects within 30 seconds and lasts about 30 minutes.

A limited number of studies have reported the effects of using either plant material or salvinorin A. Psychic effects include perceptions of bright lights, vivid colors and shapes, as well as body movements and body or object distortions. Other effects include dysphoria, uncontrolled laughter, a sense of loss of body, overlapping realities, and hallucinations (seeing objects that are not present). Adverse physical effects may include incoordination, dizziness, and slurred speech.

Scientific studies show that salvinorin A is a potent and selective kappa opioid receptor agonist. Other drugs that act at the kappa opioid receptor also produce hallucinogenic effects and dysphoria similar to that produced by salvinorin A. Salvinorin A does not activate the serotonin 2A receptor, which mediates the effects of other schedule I hallucinogens.

Salvinorin A and Salvia divinorum products are abused for their ability to evoke hallucinogenic effects, which, in general, are similar to those of other scheduled hallucinogenic substances, including LSD, DMT, psilocybin, and ketamine.

Information on the user population is limited. It appears to be mostly adolescents and younger adults influenced by promotions of the drug on Internet sites.

Salvia divinorum is grown domestically and imported from Mexico and Central and South America. The Internet is an important venue for the promotion and distribution of Salvia divinorum. It is sold as seeds, plant cuttings, whole plants, fresh and dried leaves, extract-enhanced leaves of various strengths (e.g., 5x, 10x, 20x, 30x), and liquid extracts purported to contain salvinorin A. These products are also sold at local retail shops (e.g., head shops and tobacco shops).

Salvia divinorum and salvinorin A are not currently controlled under the CSA. However, a number of states have placed controls on Salvia divinorum and/or salvinorin A. In 2005, Louisiana made it illegal to purchase or distribute Salvia divinorum. Both Delaware and Missouri have added Salvia divinorum and salvinorin A into schedule I of the states’ drug regulations. In 2006, Tennessee and Oklahoma passed legislation on Salvia divinorum. Maine and North Dakota have also recently passed legislation controlling Salvia divinorum and/or salvinorin. Moreover, as of July 2007, legislative bills proposing regulatory controls on salvinorin A and/or Salvia divinorum are pending in Alabama, Alaska, California, Florida, Illinois, Iowa, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Oregon, Pennsylvania, and Texas. Internationally, salvinorin A and/or Salvia divinorum have been placed under regulatory controls in Australia, Belgium, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, Italy, Spain, and Sweden.