"Quite a Profoundly Strange Experience": An Analysis of the Experiences of Salvia divinorum Users.
Fiona Hutton, Bronwyn M Kivell, Otis Boyle
Journal of Psychoactive Drugs 2016 DOI: 10.1080/02791072.2016.1179376 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Cross-sectional survey with qualitative thematic analysis Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Sample size | 393 |
| Population | Young adults in New Zealand who responded to flyers in locations where young adults congregate |
| Topics | Salvia divinorum |
| Keywords | Drug effects Drug use Pleasure Set and setting Salvia salvia Profoundly strange experience Shaping experiences Novel effects Intermittent effects Significant motivator Drug wise Sought salvia |
| Citations | 5 |
| Key findings | Salvia use among experienced, drug-wise young adults in New Zealand was intermittent and novelty-driven, suggesting its criminalization may reduce use as users seek other novel experiences. |
Abstract
Salvia divnorum (an intense hallucinogen) is currently illegal in New Zealand under the 2014 Psychoactive Substances Amendment Act. Despite this, there is a scarcity of research surrounding Salvia divinorum and its effects in a New Zealand context. To explore the experiences of Salvia divinorum users, an anonymous questionnaire was advertised through flyers placed in locations where young adults congregate. A total of 393 people took part in the online questionnaire in 2010-2011, while salvia was legally available in New Zealand; 167 respondents had used salvia. Thematic analysis was used to analyze the resulting open-ended questionnaire data and three key themes were identified: the effects of salvia; the importance of set and setting; salvia use and pleasure/not-pleasure. Recreational use of salvia was situated within a broader drug landscape, with participants being drug experienced and "drug wise" (Measham, Aldridge, and Parker 2001). Use of salvia also appeared to be intermittent, with its use referred to as a novel experience. Thus, the recent criminalization of salvia under the 2014 Act may see a significant decline in use as experienced drug users look elsewhere for novel drug experiences.
Comparable studies
Other qualitative studies on salvia divinorum, most cited first.
| Study | Year | Design | Participants |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ethnopharmacology of ska María Pastora (Salvia divinorum, Epling and Játiva-M.). Mazatec Indians of Oaxaca, Mexico | 1983 | Ethnographic and pharmacological review | |
| Legally tripping: a qualitative profile of Salvia divinorum use among young adults. Young adults who use Salvia divinorum | 2011 | Ethnographic study | |
| Regulating a novel drug: an evaluation of changes in use of Salvia divinorum in the first year of Florida's ban. Young adults in Florida and law enforcement personnel from the state's most populated... | 2012 | Mixed methods: three self-report surveys and qualitative interviews | |
| Novel use patterns of Salvia divinorum: unobtrusive observation using YouTube™. YouTube videos depicting Salvia divinorum use | 2011 | Qualitative and quantitative analysis of online videos | |
| Subjective effects of Salvia divinorum. Salvia users | 2007 | Qualitative study | n = 10 |
Citations in the library
Cited by 3
- Pharmacokinetics and Pharmacodynamics of Salvinorin A and Salvia divinorum: Clinical and Forensic Aspects Pharmaceuticals February 3, 2021
- Salvia Divinorum: entrSalvia divinorum: Entre la prohibición y la construcción de su conocimientoe a proibição e a construção do seu saber Cadernos de Campo August 19, 2022
- Psychedelic pleasures: An affective understanding of the joys of tripping. International Journal of Drug Policy November 1, 2017
Cites 12
- Salvinorin A: a potent naturally occurring nonnitrogenous kappa opioid selective agonist. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences September 3, 2002
- Here today, gone tomorrow…and back again? A review of herbal marijuana alternatives (K2, Spice), synthetic cathinones (bath salts), kratom, Salvia divinorum, methoxetamine, and piperazines. Journal of Medical Toxicology March 1, 2012
- Pattern of use and subjective effects of Salvia divinorum among recreational users. Drug and Alcohol Dependence November 8, 2006
- Dose-related effects of salvinorin A in humans: dissociative, hallucinogenic, and memory effects. Psychopharmacology March 1, 2013
- College student use of Salvia divinorum. Drug and Alcohol Dependence April 1, 2008
and 7 more in the library