A Content Analysis of Salvia Divinorum Use on YouTube
Brent A. Paterline, Maria J Albo
The Journal of Public and Professional Sociology January 23, 2013 DOI: 10.62915/2154-8935.1055 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Observational study Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Population | Users who posted videos of themselves using Salvia divinorum on YouTube |
| Topics | Salvia divinorum |
| Citations | 4 |
| Key findings | Most users who posted Salvia divinorum use videos were white males in group settings, and negative-experience videos were more popular among viewers. |
Abstract
While peer groups remain the primary place where learning about drugs takes place, recently, researchers have recognized that channels of mass communication (e.g. movies, television, the Internet) may also play an important role in the learning process. For the last several decades, studies have demonstrated that there is a positive relationship between mass media use and drug use. The purpose of this study is to examine the use of a new recreational drug, Salvia divinorum, on YouTube. Salvia divinorum is a naturally occurring hallucinogenic drug from the mint family indigenous to Mexico and Central and South America. When smoked, the drug produces a short intense hallucinogenic high. The findings of this study show that majority of users who placed videos of themselves using Salvia on YouTube, were white males who used the drug in a group setting. After using the drug, most users experience a brief “expansive trip” in which users were often seen laughing and enjoying themselves. However, videos that portrayed users having a negative or constrictive experience on Salvia were much more popular among viewers. Social learning theory and diffusion of innovations theory are used as theoretical frameworks that may allow a better understanding of the recent rise in popularity of Salvia divinorum use on the Internet.
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 |
| Salvia divinorum: effects and use among YouTube users. YouTube video posters using salvia | 2010 | Observational study using video analysis | n = 34 |
| 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 |
Citations in the library
Cited by 2
Cites 6
- Pattern of use and subjective effects of Salvia divinorum among recreational users. Drug and Alcohol Dependence November 8, 2006
- College student use of Salvia divinorum. Drug and Alcohol Dependence April 1, 2008
- Legally tripping: a qualitative profile of Salvia divinorum use among young adults. Journal of Psychoactive Drugs 2011
- Internet access to Salvia divinorum: implications for policy, prevention, and treatment. Journal of Substance Abuse Treatment July 1, 2008
- Subjective effects of Salvia divinorum. Journal of Psychoactive Drugs June 1, 2007
and 1 more in the library