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Use of Salvia divinorum in a nationally representative sample.

Brian E Perron, Brian K Ahmedani, Michael G. Vaughn, Joseph E Glass, Arnelyn Abdon, Li-Tzy Wu

The American Journal of Drug and Alcohol Abuse 2012 DOI: 10.3109/00952990.2011.600397 (opens in new tab)

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Study at a glance

AI-extracted from the abstract
Characteristics National survey Peer reviewed
Sample size 55,623
Population Non-institutionalized US civilians aged 12 and older
Topics Anxiety Depression Salvia divinorum
Keywords Hallucinogen Psychoactive substance Legal drug Public health risks Health considerations Substance abuse Mental health Drug policy User demographics Young adults Risk-taking behavior Polysubstance use Co-occurring disorders Drug research National survey Epidemiological study Drug studies
Citations 36
Key findings Salvia use is most common among young adults aged 18-25 and is associated with risk-taking behaviors, other illicit drug use, and self-reported depression and anxiety.

Abstract

Salvia divinorum has known hallucinogenic effects and is legal in most parts of the United States. Given that this psychoactive substance has a potential of misuse and abuse, further data regarding the clinical and psychosocial factors associated with use are needed. To examine the clinical and psychosocial characteristics associated with use of salvia. The study uses data from the National Survey on Drug Use and Health, 2008 (N = 55,623). The results of this study suggest that salvia use is most common among young adults aged 18-25 years as well as individuals who had engaged in risk-taking behaviors (selling illicit drugs, stealing) or illicit drug use (especially other hallucinogens/ecstasy). Self-reported depression and anxiety were also associated with salvia use. CONCLUSIONS/SCIENTIFIC SIGNIFICANCE: The results provide evidence that salvia use is part of a broader constellation of psychosocial and behavioral problems among youth and young adults. The accessibility, legal status, and psychoactive effects of salvia can be a potentially complicating health risk to young people, especially among those with existing substance use problems.

Comparable studies

Other cross-sectional and survey studies on salvia divinorum, most cited first.

Study Year Design Participants
Pattern of use and subjective effects of Salvia divinorum among recreational users. Recreational users of salvia and other psychedelics 2006 Cross-sectional survey n = 32
College student use of Salvia divinorum. College students at a large public university in the southwestern U.S. 2008 Cross-sectional survey n = 1,516
Use patterns and self-reported effects of Salvia divinorum: an internet-based survey. Individuals who had used Salvia divinorum and visited related pages of a... 2010 Cross-sectional survey n = 500
Salvia Divinorum Use among a College Student Sample Students at a large public university 2008 Survey
Recent national trends in Salvia divinorum use and substance-use disorders among recent and former Salvia divinorum users compared with nonusers. Noninstitutionalized US residents aged 12 or older 2011 Cross-sectional survey analysis n = 166,453

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Anxiety Depression Salvia divinorum MDMA