Drug gains attention, remains legal-for now
Lauren Larey
Issue date: 3/3/08 Section: Features
Although the drug is rapidly catching the interest of all ages, some have never heard of Salvia divenorum, also known as diviner's sage or Ska Maria Pastora.
The abuse of Salvia can cause intense hallucinations. Even smoking small quantities can affect perception and senses. These effects can result in abusers harming themselves and others.
According to the National Drug Intelligence Center, abusers report that the negative long-term effects of Salvia may be similar to those produced by other hallucinogens, including depression, perception disorder, "flashbacks" and schizophrenia.
Salvia is a plant that belongs to the sage family. Generally, the plant's leaves are smoked in a pipe or bong, and must be inhaled deeply and held inside the lungs for at least 20 seconds to achieve the maximum effect.
If done correctly, the user should experience a "trip" that lasts from five to 25 minutes.
The plant can also be chewed or brewed into a tea for a lengthier high.
Salvia is sold in several different levels that are color-coded for clarity, with the greatest potency being labeled with a warning sticker.
Most users prefer to have a non-smoker nearby, incase of inability to control their own actions. "It's a pleasant high," said Sarah Beard, freshman mass media major, "but if you aren't prepared for it, you might freak out."
When freshman recreation major Jon-Michael Bergeron received the invitation to try Salvia for the first time, he was surprised to experience only weak effects.
After feeling comfortable with the drug and seeing how little it changed his behavior the first time around, accepting the offer for the second time was easy.
"The first time I used it, I just laughed a lot," said Bergeron, "but the second time, it hit me so much harder."
According to Daniel Siebert, an independent researcher and the creator of sagewisdom.org, Salvia has been proven to have many short-term effects. During a trip, different states can occur: 2-dimensional hallucinations, out of body experiences, becoming an object, traveling back in time, being in more than one place at once and uncontrolled laughing.
The abuse of Salvia can cause intense hallucinations. Even smoking small quantities can affect perception and senses. These effects can result in abusers harming themselves and others.
According to the National Drug Intelligence Center, abusers report that the negative long-term effects of Salvia may be similar to those produced by other hallucinogens, including depression, perception disorder, "flashbacks" and schizophrenia.
Salvia is a plant that belongs to the sage family. Generally, the plant's leaves are smoked in a pipe or bong, and must be inhaled deeply and held inside the lungs for at least 20 seconds to achieve the maximum effect.
If done correctly, the user should experience a "trip" that lasts from five to 25 minutes.
The plant can also be chewed or brewed into a tea for a lengthier high.
Salvia is sold in several different levels that are color-coded for clarity, with the greatest potency being labeled with a warning sticker.
Most users prefer to have a non-smoker nearby, incase of inability to control their own actions. "It's a pleasant high," said Sarah Beard, freshman mass media major, "but if you aren't prepared for it, you might freak out."
When freshman recreation major Jon-Michael Bergeron received the invitation to try Salvia for the first time, he was surprised to experience only weak effects.
After feeling comfortable with the drug and seeing how little it changed his behavior the first time around, accepting the offer for the second time was easy.
"The first time I used it, I just laughed a lot," said Bergeron, "but the second time, it hit me so much harder."
According to Daniel Siebert, an independent researcher and the creator of sagewisdom.org, Salvia has been proven to have many short-term effects. During a trip, different states can occur: 2-dimensional hallucinations, out of body experiences, becoming an object, traveling back in time, being in more than one place at once and uncontrolled laughing.
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swyftyswyf
posted 3/13/08 @ 2:33 PM CST
I am constantly disturbed by the messages portrayed by the media regarding Salvia Divinorum. Why does everyone assume this drug should be outlawed? Is it not possible that scare tactics are being used in order for the DEA to have the power to say yet another natural plant that has intoxicating effects should be banned? The federal government has yet to schedule Salvia Divinorum as a controlled substance because of lack of evidence. (Continued…)
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