What is salvia?

Salvia divinorum is a perennial herb in the mint family, used for its hallucinogenic effects. Salvinorin A is the ingredient responsible for the psychoactive effects. Plants can be grown indoors or outdoors.

Common names are Maria Pastora and Sally-D.

What does salvia look like?

The plant grows more than three feet high with hollow square stems, white flowers and spade-shaped, variegated leaves similar to mint.

How is salvia abused?

Salvia is chewed, smoked or vaporized.

How does salvia affect a person?

Salvia highs are intense but short-lived, appearing in less than a minute and lasting less than 30 minutes. Effects include psychedelic-like changes in visual perception, mood and body sensations, emotional swings, feelings of detachment and a highly modified perception of external reality. Salvia can also cause fear/panic, uncontrollable laughter, a sense of overlapping realities and hallucinations.

What are the health effects/risks of using salvia?

Adverse physical effects may include lack of coordination, dizziness and slurred speech. Psychological and physical effects of long-term use are not known.