Salvia divinorum use and phenomenology: results from an online survey.
Harry Sumnall, Fiona Measham, Simon D. Brandt, J C Cole
Journal of Psychopharmacology November 1, 2011 DOI: 10.1177/0269881110385596 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Survey Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Sample size | 154 |
| Population | Recent users of Salvia divinorum |
| Topics | Altered states of consciousness Salvia divinorum Philosophy of mind |
| Keywords | Hallucinogenic plant Psychoactive plant User experiences User reports Subjective effects Consumer experiences Anecdotal evidence Drug experiences Public health Drug policy Harm reduction Substance use Health implications Drug regulation Psychoactive effects Hallucinogenic effects Dissociative effects Drug effects |
| Citations | 38 |
| Key findings | There was little evidence of dysfunctional Salvia divinorum use, few reports of troubling adverse consequences, and no evidence of increased schizotypy among users. |
Abstract
Salvia divinorum is a hallucinogenic plant with ethnopharmacological and recreational uses. It differs from classic serotonergic hallucinogens such as LSD and psilocin in both phenomenology and potent agonist activity of the active component salvinorin A at κ-opioid receptors. Awareness of S. divinorum has grown recently, with both an increase in its public representation and concern over its potential harmful effects. This discussion is particularly relevant as S. divinorum is legal to use in many countries and regions and easily available through online retailers. Drawing upon previous investigations of S. divinorum and other hallucinogens, this study surveyed 154 recent users and questioned them on their use behaviours, consequences of use and other attitudinal measures. Although reporting an extensive substance use history, and considering the limitations of online surveys, there was little evidence of dysfunctional S. divinorum use, and few reports of troubling adverse consequences of use. Furthermore, there was no evidence that users exhibited increased schizotypy. Respondents reported that S. divinorum produced mixed hallucinogenic and dissociative effects, which lends support to assertions that it phenomenologically differs from other hallucinogens with primary serotonergic activity. The functions of use changed with greater experiences with the drug, and although many respondents reported use of S. divinorum as an alternative to illegal drugs it, was apparent that legal proscription would be unlikely to dissuade them from use. These results are discussed with reference to psychopharmacologically informed public health responses to substance use.
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 |
Citations in the library
Cited by 20
- Clinical applications of hallucinogens: A review. Experimental and Clinical Psychopharmacology August 1, 2016
- Dose-related effects of salvinorin A in humans: dissociative, hallucinogenic, and memory effects. Psychopharmacology March 1, 2013
- Dose-related behavioral, subjective, endocrine, and psychophysiological effects of the κ opioid agonist Salvinorin A in humans. Biological Psychiatry November 15, 2012
- The Experience Elicited by Hallucinogens Presents the Highest Similarity to Dreaming within a Large Database of Psychoactive Substance Reports Frontiers in Neuroscience January 22, 2018
- Neuropharmacology of the naturally occurring kappa-opioid hallucinogen salvinorin A. Pharmacological Reviews June 1, 2011
and 15 more in the library
Cites 61
- Human hallucinogen research: guidelines for safety. Journal of Psychopharmacology July 1, 2008
- Mystical-type experiences occasioned by psilocybin mediate the attribution of personal meaning and spiritual significance 14 months later Journal of Psychopharmacology May 30, 2008
- Salvinorin A: a potent naturally occurring nonnitrogenous kappa opioid selective agonist. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences September 3, 2002
- Dose-Response Study of N,N-Dimethyltryptamine in Humans Archives of General Psychiatry February 1, 1994
- ADVERSE REACTIONS TO PSYCHEDELIC DRUGS. A REVIEW OF THE LITERATURE The Journal of Nervous and Mental Disease October 1, 1984
and 56 more in the library