What is Salvia Drug? Effects, Overdose, and Addiction Risks

What is Salvia Drug?

Salvia, also called Salvia divinorum, is a potent hallucinogen derived from plants indigenous to southern Mexico. When ingested or smoked, the salvinorin A-containing leaves of this plant can produce strong and frequently unpredictable hallucinations. Salvia is renowned for its potent and quick-acting effects, lasting up to an hour. Salvia is classified as a Schedule I drug in the United States despite being legal in some countries due to its high abuse potential and lack of established medical applications.

Salvia drug effects can be both good and bad. Euphoria, altered time perception, and a general sense of detachment from reality are possible side effects for some people. Others might experience more detrimental effects like confusion, paranoia, and anxiety. Salvia’s effects can vary greatly in strength depending on many variables, such as the dose used, how it was ingested, and how sensitive the user is to the salvia drug.

Does Salvia Show Up on a Drug Test?

Normal drug tests don’t usually include salvia drugs. Most drug tests are made to find commonly used substances like opiates, cocaine, and marijuana. Salvia may be detectable by specialized drug tests, especially if specifically tested for it.

However, drug tests are frequently tailored to the particular requirements of the company or person administering them. For instance, if a company or law enforcement agency suspects someone has been using salvia, they may include it in a drug test. Salvia won’t typically show up on drug tests, though. It is always best to check with the company administering the test to see what substances they will be testing for if you are worried about a drug test.

Is Salvia Drug Legal?

Salvia divinorum, the plant from which the drug salvia is derived, has different legal standing depending on the nation and state. Salvia is not federally regulated in the United States, but it is classified as a Schedule I drug in some states, making it unlawful to own, sell, or use. Different levels of regulation exist in other states, such as prohibitions on sales to minors or demands for warning labels. Salvia is prohibited in a few nations, including Australia and several European nations. Before using or owning salvia, make sure you comply with local laws.

Learn More:

• Detox Rehab
• Hallucinogens

1.4 million

An estimated 1.4 million people in the U.S. have used Salvia Divinorum at least once in their lifetime.

Source: National Survey on Drug Use and Health

1,113

The American Association of Poison Control Centers reported 1,113 cases of Salvia exposure in the U.S. in 2019, with the majority of cases involving individuals between the ages of 13 and 29.

Source: American Association of Poison Control Centers

Salvia Drug Effects

Strong hallucinations and significant psychological effects are associated with salvia drug use. After smoking or ingesting the salvias drug, the effects usually appear within seconds to a few minutes, lasting between 30 and an hour. Depending on the dosage, application technique, and user’s emotional and physical state, salvia’s effects can change.

The most frequent side effects of salvia drug use are intense and vivid visual and auditory hallucinations, shifts in reality perception, distorted thoughts, altered perceptions of time and space, and loss of control over one’s body. Additionally, some users have mentioned feeling detached from reality, euphoric, and out-of-body experiences. Salvia does have some undesirable side effects, though, such as dysphoria, confusion, paranoia, fear, and anxiety. Salvia occasionally causes nausea, chills, and increased heart rate and blood pressure.

• Visual and auditory hallucinations.
• Changes in perception of time, space, and reality.
• Feelings of detachment from reality.
• Intense, uncontrollable laughter.
• Loss of coordination and balance.

• Increased heart rate and blood pressure.
• Sweating.
• Nausea and vomiting.
• Anxiety and paranoia.
• Confusion and disorientation.

Long Term Effects of Salvia Drugs

Although there is little information on salvia’s long-term effects, some studies have found that frequent salvia use may have some unfavorable effects. For instance, prolonged salvia use may result in persistent mood and perceptual changes as well as memory and attention deficits.

According to one study, salvia users reported ongoing perceptual changes, such as visual disturbances, even when abstaining from the drug. According to results from another study, salvia users significantly outperformed non-users on memory and attention tests.

Additionally, some people who use salvia may experience psychological distress and other negative effects, especially if they already have mental health issues. There have also been accounts of people using salvia and then having flashbacks and other lingering symptoms.

Due to salvia drugs’ intense euphoric and pleasurable sensations, it can be difficult to abstain from using them. This is because salvia drugs can be highly addictive. However, individuals who receive the appropriate intervention can receive assistance in overcoming addiction and achieving sustained recovery.

Detoxification, or the process of removing salvia from an individual’s system, is the initial phase of treatment for salvia drug abuse. Because withdrawal symptoms can be quite severe and can include intense cravings for drugs and insomnia, anxiety, and depression, this process needs to be carried out under the supervision of a medical professional to ensure the person’s safety and well-being.

After undergoing detoxification, it is necessary to continue treatment to address the underlying psychological, behavioral, and social factors contributing to salvia drug abuse. The use of behavioral interventions such as cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT), motivational interviewing (MI), and contingency management (CM) may be among the treatment options available. Getting assistance from a trained professional and emotional support is critical to maintaining sobriety over the long term and avoiding going back to using.