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Human psychopharmacology and dose-effects of salvinorin A, a kappa opioid agonist hallucinogen present in the plant Salvia divinorum.

Matthew W Johnson, Katherine A Maclean, Chad J Reissig, Thomas E Prisinzano, Roland R. Griffiths

Drug and Alcohol Dependence May 1, 2011 DOI: 10.1016/j.drugalcdep.2010.11.005 (opens in new tab)

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Study at a glance

AI-extracted from the abstract
Characteristics Double-blind, placebo controlled study Placebo-controlled Peer reviewed
Sample size 4
Population Psychologically and physically healthy hallucinogen-using adults
Intervention Salvinorin A
Dose 0.375 μg/kg to 21 μg/kg
Duration 60 min after inhalation
Topics Mystical experience Salvia divinorum
Keywords Plant Potent compound Kappa opioid agonist Profound mystical-type experience Intense experiences Subjective effects Distinct hallucinogen profile Pharmacology Dose-related effects Rapid Short duration Inhaled Doses Physiological effects Heart rate Blood pressure Consciousness research Controlled study Researchers Volunteers Impacts human consciousness
Citations 134
Key points Salvinorin A produced rapid, dose-related increases in mystical-type experiences and subjective effects similar to classic hallucinogens without significantly affecting heart rate or blood pressure.

Abstract

Salvinorin A is a potent, selective nonnitrogenous kappa opioid agonist and the known psychoactive constituent of Salvia divinorum, a member of the mint family that has been used for centuries by Mazatec shamans of Mexico for divination and spiritual healing. S. divinorum has over the last several years gained increased popularity as a recreational drug. This is a double-blind, placebo controlled study of salvinorin A in 4 psychologically and physically healthy hallucinogen-using adults. Across sessions, participants inhaled 16 ascending doses of salvinorin A and 4 intermixed placebo doses under comfortable and supportive conditions. Doses ranged from 0.375 μg/kg to 21 μg/kg. Subject-rated drug strength was assessed every 2 min for 60 min after inhalation. Orderly time- and dose-related effects were observed. Drug strength ratings peaked at 2 min (first time point) and definite subjective effects were no longer present at approximately 20 min after inhalation. Dose-related increases were observed on questionnaire measures of mystical-type experience (Mysticism Scale) and subjective effects associated with classic serotonergic (5-HT2(A)) hallucinogens (Hallucinogen Rating Scale). Salvinorin A did not significantly increase heart rate or blood pressure. Participant narratives indicated intense experiences characterized by disruptions in vestibular and interoceptive signals (e.g., change in spatial orientation, pressure on the body) and unusual and sometimes recurring themes across sessions such as revisiting childhood memories, cartoon-like imagery, and contact with entities. Under these prepared and supportive conditions, salvinorin A occasioned a unique profile of subjective effects having similarities to classic hallucinogens, including mystical-type effects.

In the evidence

This study is part of the evidence base for a synthesis in the library. Here is how each one recorded it.

  • State of the evidence: Salvia divinorum Supports

    Salvinorin A produced rapid dose-related increases in mystical-type experiences and classic-hallucinogen-like subjective effects without significantly raising heart rate or blood pressure.

    Synthesized

Comparable studies

Other randomized controlled trials on salvia divinorum, most cited first.

Study Year Design Participants
Dose-related effects of salvinorin A in humans: dissociative, hallucinogenic, and memory effects. Healthy hallucinogen-using adults 2013 Double-blind, placebo-controlled study n = 8
Dose-related behavioral, subjective, endocrine, and psychophysiological effects of the κ opioid agonist Salvinorin A in humans. Healthy individuals who had previously used Salvia 2012 Randomized controlled trial n = 10
Salvinorin-A Induces Intense Dissociative Effects, Blocking External Sensory Perception and Modulating Interoception and Sense of Body Ownership in Humans Healthy volunteers with previous experience in the use of psychedelics 2015 Placebo-controlled dose-escalation study n = 8
Acute and post-acute behavioral and psychological effects of salvinorin A in humans. Middle-aged, well-educated, hallucinogen-experienced adults 2012 Randomized controlled trial n = 30
The Acute Effects of the Atypical Dissociative Hallucinogen Salvinorin A on Functional Connectivity in the Human Brain Human adults 2020 Placebo-controlled, within-subject study

Citations in the library

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