Background

• Salvia (Salvia divinorum) is a hallucinogenic plant that is traditionally used by the Mazatec culture in central Mexico. It is grown in California and other parts of the United States where it is used as a legal hallucinogen and is becoming popular with teenagers and young adults. Laws in Finland, Denmark, and Australia prohibit cultivating, consuming, or dealing with salvia.
• Most studies have investigated salvia's active constituent, salvinorin A. Currently, there are no high-quality trials investigating salvia's therapeutic uses. Animal studies of salvia have not shown any toxicity even at high doses, but use of salvia can cause central nervous system (CNS) and psychiatric effects due to its hallucinogenic properties. Some researchers believe that salvinorin A may show promise as a psychotherapeutic compound for diseases manifested by perceptual distortions (e.g. schizophrenia, dementia, and bipolar disorders).

References

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