Salvinorin

Sheffler, D.J. and Roth, B.L. (2003) Salvinorin A the magic mint hallucinogen finds a molecular target in the kappa opioid receptor. Trends in Pharmacological Sciences, 24 (3), 107-109. 

Roth, B.L., Baner, K., Westkaemper, R., Siebert, D., Rice, K.C., Steinberg, S., Ernsberger, P. and Rothman, R.B. (2002) Salvinorin A a potent naturally occurring nonnitrogenous kappa opioid selective... 

The discovery of a potent and selective K-opioid receptor agonist compound, salvinorin A (54), a hallucinogenic neoclerodane diterpenoid from Salvia divinorum Epling and Jativa, has created particular interest in recent years, since it is the first nonnitrogenous compound found to demonstrate this type of activity. 

Roth BL, Baner K, Westkaemper R, et al., Salvinorin A A potent naturally occurring nonnitrogenous K opioid selective agonist, Proc Natl Acad Sci USA 99 11934-11939,2002. 

Daniel Siebert, the host of this web site and the founder and moderator of the original Salvia email discussion forum (now the Sagewise mailing list), for his contributions and support of this project, his research papers on Salvia divinorum and salvinorin A, his attempts to keep the focus of discussions on Salvia, his constructive criticism, and for all the valuable information he has shared. 

Leander Valdes III for his research papers on Salvia, salvinorin, and the traditional role Salvia plays when used by Mazatec healers, and for his encouragement, as well as for corrections of some of my mistakes. 

Used irresponsibly. Salvia divinorum and salvinorin A can be dangerous. If you decide to try this herb, or any preparation containing salvinorin A, it is your responsibility to take proper precautions so that you do not harm yourself or others while under its influence. Neither the author of this FAQ, nor any individual who contributed to its creation or posting, or who submitted material contained herein, nor the web site host, nor anyone but you yourself is responsible for your actions or their consequences. 

A. Salvia divinorum is a plant used for its psychoactive effects. Given the right dose, individual, set and setting, it produces a unique state of divine inebriation which has been traditionally used by Mazatec healers. This inebriation is quite different from that of alcohol. S. divinorum is both similar to, and different from, other drugs that affect the brain and behavior. In many ways Salvia divinorum is a unique magical herb. Salvia (and the salvinorin it contains) is very difficult to categorize pharmacologically. 

A. The Sase Wisdom Salvia divinorum Shop is a great source for live cuttings. Salvia divinorum leaves, standardized extracts. Sage Goddess Emerald Essence, etc. A detailed listing of other suppliers can be found in "Salvia divinorum and Salvinorin A The Best of the Entheogen Review 1992-1998". Another good resource is "The Psychedelic Resource List" by Jon Hanna. 

Q. How long can I store Salvia divinorum leaves or salvinorin A fortified leaf without them loosing potency ... 

A. Probably for decades. The active principal, salvinorin A, is quite stable and can be stored at room-temperature. It is probably a good idea to store it in a dark location, such as a drawer or cupboard, so that it is not exposed to the potentially harmful effects ofUV light. 

A. Smoking is probably the most common method for Western users. Dried Salvia leaf is readily available from commercial sources and can be smoked without further preparation in tobacco pipes, joints, or water-pipes or bongs. Salvia must be smoked hot (hotter than tobacco is) in order for salvinorin to be vaporized. The smoke is inhaled fast and hot, deeply into the lungs. Several hits in quick succession are usually required. The smoke is irritating and probably has the same sort of health risks as tobacco smoke - cancer, bronchitis, emphysema, and heart and blood vessel disease. When smoking it is a good idea to have a sitter present although many smokers do not take this advice. 

A. The standardized salvinorin A enhanced leaf is very easy to use. Place the amount that you intend to use in the bowl of a small pipe. Since the leaf may be very finely crumbled, the pipe should be fitted with a fine-mesh screen in the bottom of the bowl to prevent small particals from getting into the pipe-stem and being inhaled. When you... 

Q. Do I need a special kind of lighter to smoke salvinorin A fortified leaf or Salvia divinorum leaves ... 

A. An ordinary lighter or match is quite hot enough to vaporize salvinorin A and should be quite adequate for smoking salvinorin A fortified leaf products. An extra hot flame, such as that produced by a micro-torch, will simply cause more rapid vaporization and combustion. This can be an advantage when smoking plain Salvia divinorum leaves, because it is usually necessary to smoke a relatively large amount of leaf in a short amount time to achieve strong effects. 

Q. Can the standardized salvinorin A fortified leaf products be taken orally/sublingually ... 

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