Other plant products Category: Headshop Drugs

Salvia divinorum

(also called: diviner’s sage, divine mint, magic mint, ska maría pastora, sage of the seers, hallucinogenic sage, sage, the matrix, eclipse, salvia, salvia divinorum)

How it’s used

Salvia is a powerful, short acting hallucinogen. You can buy it as a ‘natural high’. The fresh plant leaf is light green in colour and dark brown or black when it is dried for smoking. Different strengths are available (10x, 20x, 30x). You can smoke salvia in pipes or joints and you can chew it. Salvia comes from the American plant salvia divinorum, a member of the mint or sage family. It has long been used in religious ceremonies by the Mazatec Indians in Mexico. Salvia has become popular in Ireland in recent years and you can buy it over the internet or in ‘head shops’ as a legal product.

Short-term effects

The effects depend on the strength of the preparation and the way you take it
The main effects are usually over within 10 minutes but residual effects can last a couple of hours
You may have dramatic images and visions, uncontrollable laughter, echoing of sounds, time distortion and dissociative effects – losing the ability to interact with yourself and those around you
You may feel light-headed and extremely scared

Long-term effects

We don’t know enough about the long-term effects of salvia
May cause paranoia

Other dangers

If you have underlying mental health problems, any drug can trigger them
Because we don’t know what’s in these drugs, you are not fully informed about the risks of taking the drug or when used with other drugs

If you are pregnant

Do not use if you are pregnant as we don’t know enough about the risks to your baby.

Addictive

It is not addictive but you can build tolerance so you need to keep taking more to get the same buzz.

Withdrawal

There are no withdrawal symptoms from salvia

How long does it stay in your system?

No urine test for this yet.

What help is available?

Self-help support such as Narcotics Anonymous
Counselling or psychotherapy
Complementary therapies, such as acupuncture
Support from your doctor
Residential treatment programmes (clinics)
Aftercare
One to one or group family support
Contact the Drugs Helpline 1800 459 459 to find out about options in your area

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