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Salvia divinorum: effects and use among YouTube users.

James E Lange, Jason Daniel, Kestrel Homer, Mark B Reed, John D Clapp

Drug and Alcohol Dependence April 1, 2010 DOI: 10.1016/j.drugalcdep.2009.11.010 (opens in new tab)

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Study at a glance

AI-extracted from the abstract
Characteristics Observational study using video analysis Peer reviewed
Sample size 34
Population YouTube video posters using salvia
Intervention Salvia divinorum
Duration Up to 8 minutes per video
Topics Salvia divinorum
Keywords Potent hallucinogen Drug effects Intense effects Rapid impact Short duration Dose-effect relationship Drug use patterns Psychoactive effects Hallucinogenic experience Substance use Drug impact Drug onset Drug duration Online research Online videos User-recorded footage Publicly shared content Novel approach Digital ethnography Real-world data Video analysis Social media analysis Rapid onset Within 30 seconds Quick impact Fast acting Under 8 minutes Brief effects Transient effects
Citations 85
Key findings Salvia's effects onset rapidly (often under 30 seconds) and dissipate within 8 minutes, with higher doses linked to longer duration.

Abstract

Salvia divinorum (salvia) is an intense, short-acting hallucinogenic plant gaining popularity among adolescents in the United States. There has been little scientific documentation of salvia's effects. The popular video-sharing website YouTube has received literally thousands of video-posts of people using salvia. The objective of this study was to assess the effects of salvia use through systematic observations of YouTube videos. A sample of salvia videos was obtained using the search term "salvia." The videos were further screened and only videos that captured the entire drug "trip" without video edits were included in the analyses described here (n=34). Three trained research assistants independently watched the videos and rated their observations on 42 effects in 30-s intervals. Onset of symptoms was quick (often less than 30s) and tended to dissipate within 8min. Further, there was a relationship between salvia dose and effect duration. Since salvia's effects on humans are largely undocumented, this study provides the look at users in a non-laboratory environment (e.g. self-taped videos) exhibiting impairments and behaviors consistent with this powerful hallucinogen. Also, this study demonstrates the feasibility and shortcomings of using YouTube videos to assess emerging drugs and drug effects.

Comparable studies

Other observational and cohort studies on salvia divinorum, most cited first.

Study Year Design Participants
Pharmacokinetics of the potent hallucinogen, salvinorin A in primates parallels the rapid onset and short duration of effects in humans. Adult female baboons 2008 Observational cohort n = 6
In vitro stability and metabolism of salvinorin A in rat plasma. Rat plasma 2009 Observational study
Salvia divinorum: exposures reported to a statewide poison control system over 10 years. Exposures to Salvia divinorum reported to the California Poison Control System 2011 Retrospective review n = 37
Time course of pharmacokinetic and hormonal effects of inhaled high-dose salvinorin A in humans. Healthy adults 2016 Observational study n = 6
A Content Analysis of Salvia Divinorum Use on YouTube Users who posted videos of themselves using Salvia divinorum on YouTube 2013 Observational study

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