Salvia divinorum, also known as Diviner's Sage,^[2] Magic Mint,^[2] María Pastora,^[3] Sage of the Seers, or simply Salvia (although the genus name is shared among many plants), is a powerful psychoactive plant, a member of the sage genus and the Lamiaceae (mint) family.^[4] Its primary psychoactive constituent is a diterpenoid known as salvinorin A.^[5][6] Salvia divinorum has long been and continues to be used as an entheogen by the indigenous Mazatec shamans for healing during spirit journeys.^[1] The plant is found in isolated, shaded and moist plots in Oaxaca, Mexico.^[1] It is thought to be a cultigen.^[7] Image File history File links Download high-resolution version (800x674, 134 KB) Summary Salvia divinorum, original image was of an unhealthy plant that did not do justice to the plants usual apperance Licensing I, the creator of this work, hereby release it into the public domain. ... Scientific classification or biological classification is a method by which biologists group and categorize species of organisms. ... Divisions Green algae Chlorophyta Charophyta Land plants (embryophytes) Non-vascular plants (bryophytes) Marchantiophyta—liverworts Anthocerotophyta—hornworts Bryophyta—mosses Vascular plants (tracheophytes) †Rhyniophyta—rhyniophytes †Zosterophyllophyta—zosterophylls Lycopodiophyta—clubmosses †Trimerophytophyta—trimerophytes Pteridophyta—ferns and horsetails Seed plants (spermatophytes) †Pteridospermatophyta—seed ferns Pinophyta—conifers Cycadophyta—cycads Ginkgophyta—ginkgo Gnetophyta—gnetae Magnoliophyta—flowering plants... Classes Magnoliopsida - Dicots Liliopsida - Monocots The flowering plants or angiosperms are the most widespread group of land plants. ... Magnoliopsida is the botanical name for a class: this name is formed by replacing the termination -aceae in the name Magnoliaceae by the termination -opsida (Art 16 of the ICBN). ... Families See text The Order Lamiales is a taxon in the asterid group of dicotyledonous flowering plants. ... Genera Many, see text Ref: Delta 2002-07-22 Lamiaceae, or the Mint family, is a family of plants in about 180 genera and some 3,500 species. ... Species THC see List of Salvia species Salvia is a genus in the mint family, Lamiaceae. ... This article does not cite any references or sources. ... For other uses of the word, please see Genus (disambiguation). ... A psychoactive drug or psychotropic substance is a chemical substance that acts primarily upon the central nervous system where it alters brain function, resulting in temporary changes in perception, mood, consciousness and behavior. ... Species THC see List of Salvia species Salvia is a genus in the mint family, Lamiaceae. ... Genera Many, see text Ref: Delta 2002-07-22 Lamiaceae, or the Mint family, is a family of plants in about 180 genera and some 3,500 species. ... MiNT (MiNT is Now TOS) is an alternative operating system (OS) kernel for the Atari ST computer and its successors which is free software. ... In biological classification, family (Latin: familia, plural familiae) is 1) a rank or 2) a taxon in that rank. ... The terpenoids, sometimes referred to as isoprenoids, are a large and diverse class of naturally occurring organic chemicals similar to terpenes, derived from five-carbon isoprene units assembled and modified in thousands of ways. ... Salvinorin A is the main active psychotropic constituent of the plant Salvia divinorum (diviners sage, Mexican mint). ... This entry covers entheogens in the strict sense of the word (i. ... Image:Wassonsalviaphoto1. ... The shaman is an intellectual and spiritual figure who is regarded as possessing power and influence on other peoples in the tribe and performs several functions, primarily that of a healer ( medicine man). The shaman provides medical care, and serves other community needs during crisis times, via supernatural means (means... The Mexican state of Oaxaca (pronounced wa-HA-ka in English) is in the southern part of Mexico, west of the Isthmus of Tehuantepec. ... Cultigen is the name for organisms, especially cultivated plants like the edible banana, not known to have a wild or uncultivated counterpart in nature. ...

The Latin name Salvia divinorum literally translates to "sage of the seers".^[8] The genus name Salvia is derived from the Latin salvare, meaning "to heal" or "to save".^[9] Species THC see List of Salvia species Salvia is a genus in the mint family, Lamiaceae. ...

History

Salvia divinorum originates from the region of Oaxaca in Mexico where it is still used by the Mazatec Indians, primarily to facilitate shamanic visions in the context of curing or divination, but also remedially at lower doses to treat ailments including diarrhea, anemia, headaches, rheumatism, and a semi-magical disease known as panzon de borrego, or a swollen belly.^[10] It was first recorded in print by Jean Basset Johnson in 1939 as he was studying Mazatec shamanism.^[11] He later documented its usage and reported its effects through personal testimonials.^[12] It was not until the 1990s that the psychoactive mechanism was identified by a team led by Daniel Siebert.^[13] Image:Wassonsalviaphoto1. ... The shaman is an intellectual and spiritual figure who is regarded as possessing power and influence on other peoples in the tribe and performs several functions, primarily that of a healer ( medicine man). The shaman provides medical care, and serves other community needs during crisis times, via supernatural means (means... Categories: ...

Flowering Salvia divinorum

The history of the plant is not well known, but there are three possibilities as to its origin. Since it is found in one small area and only one indigenous group uses it, it is either native to this area, is a cultigen of the Mazatecs, or is a cultigen of another indigenous group.^[8] Wasson tentatively postulated the plant could be the mythological pipilzintzintli, the "Noble Prince" of the Aztec codices.^[3] Image File history File linksMetadata Download high-resolution version (2000x3008, 2896 KB) File links The following pages on the English Wikipedia link to this file (pages on other projects are not listed): Salvia divinorum Metadata This file contains additional information, probably added from the digital camera or scanner used to... Image File history File linksMetadata Download high-resolution version (2000x3008, 2896 KB) File links The following pages on the English Wikipedia link to this file (pages on other projects are not listed): Salvia divinorum Metadata This file contains additional information, probably added from the digital camera or scanner used to... Cultigen is the name for organisms, especially cultivated plants like the edible banana, not known to have a wild or uncultivated counterpart in nature. ... Cultigen is the name for organisms, especially cultivated plants like the edible banana, not known to have a wild or uncultivated counterpart in nature. ... The mythological plant of the Aztecs. ... It has been suggested that Mexica be merged into this article or section. ... First page of the Codex Argenteus A codex (Latin for block of wood, book; plural codices) is a handwritten book, in general, one produced from Late Antiquity through the Middle Ages. ...

Botany

Salvia divinorum has large green leaves, hollow square stems and white flowers with purple calyces. The plant grows to well over 1m in height.^[1] Unlike other species of salvia, Salvia divinorum produces few seeds, and those seldom germinate. For an unknown reason, pollen fertility is reduced. There is no active pollen tube inhibition within the style, but some event or process after the pollen tube reaches the ovary is aberrant.^[14] Partial sterility is often suggestive of a hybrid origin, although no species have been recognized as possible parent species. The ability to grow indistinguishable plants from seeds produced by self pollination also weakens the hybrid theory of origin, instead implying inbreeding depression, or an undiscovered incompatibility mechanism. The plant is mainly propagated by cuttings or layering. Although isolated strands of S. divinorum exist, these are thought to have been purposely created and tended by the Mazatec people. For this reason, it is considered a true cultigen, not occurring in a wild state.^[7] It has been suggested that this article or section be merged into inbreeding. ... Layering is a technique for plant propagation in which a portion of an aerial stem is encouraged to grow roots while still attached to the parent plant, and then removed and planted as a new plant. ... Image:Wassonsalviaphoto1. ... Cultigen is the name for organisms, especially cultivated plants like the edible banana, not known to have a wild or uncultivated counterpart in nature. ...

Chemistry

For more details on this topic, see Salvinorin A.

Salvinorin A

The active constituent is a trans-neoclerodane diterpenoid known as Salvinorin A, chemical formula C₂₃H₂₈O₈.^[15] Unlike other known opioid-receptor ligands, salvinorin A is not an alkaloid — it does not contain a basic nitrogen atom.^[16] Salvinorin A is the main active psychotropic constituent of the plant Salvia divinorum (diviners sage, Mexican mint). ... Image File history File links Salvinorin-A_structure. ... Image File history File links Salvinorin-A_structure. ... Chemical structure of the terpenoid isopentenyl pyrophosphate. ... Salvinorin A is the main active psychotropic constituent of the plant Salvia divinorum (diviners sage, Mexican mint). ... This article or section does not cite any references or sources. ... Chemical structure of ephedrine, a phenethylamine alkaloid An alkaloid is, strictly speaking, a naturally occurring amine produced by a plant,[1] but amines produced by animals and fungi are also called alkaloids. ... Acids and bases: Acid-base reaction pH Self-ionization of water Buffer solutions Systematic naming Acid-base extraction Acidity function Proton affinity Acids: Strong acids Weak acids Superacids Lewis acids Mineral acids Organic acids Bases: Strong bases Weak bases Superbases Lewis bases Organic bases edit In chemistry, a base is... General Name, Symbol, Number nitrogen, N, 7 Chemical series nonmetals Group, Period, Block 15, 2, p Appearance colorless gas Standard atomic weight 14. ... Properties In chemistry and physics, an atom (Greek ἄτομος or átomos meaning indivisible) is the smallest particle still characterizing a chemical element. ...

When considered by weight alone, salvinorin A is the most potent naturally-occurring psychoactive compound known.^[17] It is active at doses as low as 200 µg.^[13][15][17] Research has shown that salvinorin A is a potent and selective κ-Opioid (kappa-Opioid) receptor agonist.^[18][15] It has been reported that the effects of salvinorin A in mice are blocked by κ-Opioid receptor antagonists.^[19] This makes it unlikely that another mechanism contributes independently to the compound’s effects. Salvinorin A is unique in that it is the only naturally occurring substance known to induce a visionary state via this mode of action. Salvinorin A has no actions at the 5-HT_2A serotonin receptor, the principal molecular target responsible for the actions of classical hallucinogens.^[19] The microgram (symbol µg, sometimes mcg) is an SI unit of mass. ... κ-Opioid receptors are involved with analgesia, but activation also produces marked nausea and dysphoria. ... Agonists An agonist is a substance that binds to a receptor and triggers a response in the cell. ... Antagonists In medicine and biology, a receptor antagonist is a ligand that inhibits the function of an agonist and inverse agonist for a specific receptor. ... In the field of neurochemistry, 5-HT receptors are receptors for the neurotransmitter and peripheral signal mediator serotonin, also known as 5-hydroxytryptamine or 5-HT. 5-HT receptors are located on the cell membrane of nerve cells and other cell types in animals and mediate the effects of serotonin...

Salvinorin's potency should not be confused with toxicity. Rodents chronically exposed to dosages many times greater than those to which humans are exposed did not show signs of organ damage.^[20]

Many other terpenoids have been isolated from S. divinorum, including other salvinorins and related compounds named divinatorins and salvinicins. None of these compounds has shown significant (sub-micromolar) affinity at the κ-Opioid receptor, and there is no evidence that they contribute to the plant's psychoactivity.^[21][22]

Ingestion

Traditional methods

Mazatec shamans crush the leaves to extract leaf juices from about 20 (about 50g) to 80 (about 200g) or more pairs of fresh leaves. They usually mix these juices with water to create an infusion referred to as "poyomatli" or "pipilzintzintli." They then drink this infusion to induce visions in ritual healing ceremonies.^[10][23] Image:Wassonsalviaphoto1. ...

Modern methods

Smoking

Dry leaves can be smoked in a pipe, but most users prefer the use of a water pipe to cool the smoke.^[24] The temperature required to release salvinorin from the plant material is quite high (about 240°C). A regular flame will work, but the direct application of something more intense, such as the flame produced from a butane torch lighter, is often preferred.^[24] This article does not cite any references or sources. ...

Many people find that untreated dried Salvia leaf produces unnoticeable or only light effects. More concentrated preparations or extracts, which may be smoked instead of natural strength leaves, have become widely available. The enhanced leaf is often described by a number followed by an x (such as "5x," "10x," etc). The multiplication factors are generally indicative of the relative amounts of leaf used in preparation. The numbers therefore may also be roughly indicative of the relative concentration of the active principle salvinorin A, but the measure should not be taken as absolute. Potency will depend on the naturally varying strength of the untreated leaf used in preparing the extract, as well as the efficiency of the extraction process itself. Extracts reduce the overall amount of smoke that needs to be inhaled, thus facilitating more powerful experiences.^[25]

Chewing

The traditional Mazatec method of chewing the leaves may also be employed. However, salvinorin A is generally considered to be inactive when orally ingested, as the chemical is effectively deactivated by the gastrointestinal system.^[26] Therefore, the 'quid' of leaves is held in the mouth as long as possible in order to facilitate absorption of the active constituents through the oral mucosa. Chewing consumes more of the plant than smoking, and produces a longer-lasting experience.

Duration of effect

If Salvia is smoked the main effects are experienced quickly. The most intense 'peak' is reached within a minute or so and lasts for about 1-5 minutes, followed by a gradual tapering back. At 5-10 minutes, less intense yet still appreciable effects typically persist, but giving way to a returning sense of the everyday and familiar until back to recognizable baseline after about 15 to 20 minutes.^[27]

Chewing the leaf makes the effects come on more slowly, over a period of 10 to 20 minutes, the experience then lasting from another 30 minutes up to one and a half hours.^[27]

Immediate effects

Psychedelic experiences are necessarily somewhat subjective and individual variations in reported effects are to be expected. Aside from individual reported experiences there has been a limited amount of published work summarising the effects. D.M. Turner's book "Salvinorin - The Psychedelic Essence of Salvia Divinorum" quotes Daniel Siebert's summarisation, mentioning that the effects may include:^[28] A psychedelic experience, or trip, is characterized by the perception of aspects of ones mind previously unknown, or by the creative exuberance of the mind liberated from its ordinary fetters. ... D.M. Turner (5 October 1962 - 31 December 1996) was a psychedelic explorer, self-monikered psychonaut and author who wrote two books on psychoactives. ...

• Uncontrollable laughter.
• Past memories, such as revisiting places from childhood memory.
• Sensations of motion, or being pulled or twisted by forces.
• Visions of membranes, films and various two-dimensional surfaces.
• Merging with or becoming objects (for example a Ferris wheel).
• Overlapping realities, such as the perception of being in several locations at once.

One firsthand journalistic account has been published in the UK science magazine New Scientist: New Scientist is a weekly international science magazine covering recent developments in science and technology for a general English-speaking audience. ...

"the salvia took me on a consciousness-expanding journey unlike any other I have ever experienced. My body felt disconnected from "me" and objects and people appeared cartoonish, surreal and marvellous. Then, as suddenly as it had began, it was over. The visions vanished and I was back in my bedroom. I spoke to my "sitter" - the friend who was watching over me, as recommended on the packaging - but my mouth was awkward and clumsy. When I attempted to stand my coordination was off. Within a couple of minutes, however, I was fine and clear-headed, though dripping with sweat. The whole experience had lasted less than 5 minutes." (Vince Gaia, 2006-09-29)^[29]

An example of Salvia inspired Visionary art

There have been a limited number of books published on the subject. One notable example is Dale Pendell's award winning work "Phamako/Poeia - Plants Powers, Poisons, and Herbcraft", which has a chapter dedicated to Salvia divinorum. It includes reports of some experience accounts: Image File history File links Salvia_Painting_MPM.JPG‎ File history Legend: (cur) = this is the current file, (del) = delete this old version, (rev) = revert to this old version. ... Image File history File links Salvia_Painting_MPM.JPG‎ File history Legend: (cur) = this is the current file, (del) = delete this old version, (rev) = revert to this old version. ... Visionary art is art that purports to transcend the physical world and portray a wider vision of awareness including spiritual or mystical themes, or is based in such experiences. ...

"It's very intense, I call it a reality stutter, or a reality strobing. I think that having been a test pilot, and flying in that unforgiving environment with only two feet between our wingtips, helped to prepare me for this kind of exploration."^[30]

A survey of Salvia users found that 38% described the effects as unique. 23% said the effects were like yoga, meditation or trance.^[31] Some users have written extensive prose and/or poetry about their experiences.^[32][33] Dale Pendell’s Salvia divinorum chapter from his book Pharmako/poeia^[30] won the 1996 Firecracker Alternative Book Award.^[34] Some users describe their visions pictorially, and there exist examples of "visionary art" which claim to be Salvia inspired. Others claim musical inspiration from the plant.^[33] An example is the song "Salvia divinorum" by 1200 Micrograms. Dale Pendell is a contemporary author who combines science and poetry in his explications of psychoactive compounds. ... Visionary art is art that purports to transcend the physical world and portray a wider vision of awareness including spiritual or mystical themes, or is based in such experiences. ... Image:1200 Micrograms. ...

After effects

Short term

After the peak effects, normal awareness-of-self and the immediate surroundings return but lingering effects may be felt. These short-term lingering effects have a completely different character than the peak experience. About half of users report a pleasing 'afterglow', or pleasant state of mind following the main effects. Researchers (Baggott, et al) from the University of San Francisco conducted a survey of 500 Salvia users which identified that they 'sometimes or often' experience the following common (>20% occurrence) lingering after effects:^[35]

• Increased insight - 47%
• Improved mood - 44.8%
• Calmness - 42.2%
• Increased connection with universe or nature - 39.8%
• Weird thoughts - 36.4%
• Things seem unreal - 32.4%
• Floating feeling - 32%
• Increased sweating - 28.2%
• Body felt warm or hot - 25.2%
• Mind racing - 23.2%
• Lightheaded - 22.2%
• Increased self-confidence - 21.6%

Salvia divinorum is also used in 'folk' medicine as a diuretic.^[6] A diuretic (colloquially called a water pill) is any drug or herb that elevates the rate of bodily urine excretion (diuresis). ...

Long term

While 'improved mood' is one of the most commonly noted short-term effects following usage, Baggot's Salvia user survey results also found that 25.8% of respondents reported antidepressant-like mood improvements lasting 24 hours or longer.^[31] These findings are in-line with known properties of κ-Opioid (kappa-Opioid) receptor agonists as well as anecdotal reports and findings of clinicians.^[36]

'Forced-Swim tests,' whereby rodents are forced to swim in a narrow cylinder from which they cannot escape, have suggested that Salvia divinorum may have "depressive-like effects."^[37] However, this conclusion is contested, as studies on humans seem to indicate that Salvia has antidepressant effects.^[31]

Salvia has not been found to be either physically or psychologically addictive. The results of the Baggot survey, which used the standard psychiatric drug dependence diagnostic framework, indicate that Salvia has little if any potential as a drug of dependence. Both scientific and anecdotal user evidence indicates that chemical constituents of Salvia may in fact have potential as therapy for drug addictions to stimulants (e.g., amphetamines) and opiates.^[38] Research has shown that the plant contains neoclerodane diterpenes that have therapeutic potential for helping people who have drug abuse problems. The neoclerodane diterpenes in Salvia are κ-Opioid receptor agonists. κ-Opioid receptor agonists, according to Tidgewell et al, (AAPS Journal), "possess utility in the treatment of opioid dependence and have been shown to have anti-depressant activity as well as block stress-induced behavior responses."^[39] Amphetamine is a synthetic drug originally developed (and still used) as an appetite suppressant. ...

Most users report no hangover or negative after-effects the next day. This is consistent with the apparent low toxicity of Salvia indicated by research conducted at the University of Nebraska.^[20]

Legal status

Main article: Legal status of Salvia divinorum

The relatively recent emergence of Salvia divinorum in modern Western culture in comparison to its long continuing traditions of indigenous use elsewhere contrasts widely differing attitudes on the subject. Opinions range from veneration of the plant as a spiritual sacrament or "a gift from the gods",^[10][40] to the idea of it as a dangerous threat to society, needing to be banned as quickly as possible in order to "spare countless families the horror of losing a loved one to the relentless tentacles of drug abuse".^[41] Salvia divinorum is legal in most countries and, within the United States, legal in the majority of States. However, some politicians have called for its prohibition. Most of these proposals have not made it into law, with motions having failed, stalled or otherwise died, for example in the United Kingdom, at national level in the United States, and at more local level within States such as Alaska, Illinois, Oregon and Wyoming. Some recent bills are still at the proposal stage. The legal status of Salvia divinorum varies from country-to-country. ...

A reason for Salvia's mostly favorable legal status so far is that there has been little evidence to suggest that its use is problematic. Salvia divinorum is understood to be nontoxic and nonaddictive. Despite this, countries such as Australia (the first country to ban it) and a few American states have created anti-Salvia laws. Some politicians have argued that Salvia effects are "LSD-Like" and that this alone is sufficient grounds for prohibition.^[42] Many Salvia media stories also headline with comparisons to LSD. However, while LSD and Salvia's active constituent salvinorin A may have comparative potencies, in the sense that both can produce their effects with low dosage amounts, they are otherwise quite different. LSD is a semi-synthesized drug usually made in a lab but also found in mold on the wheat plant. Whereas salvinorin occurs naturally in plant form. The two substances are not chemically similar or related. They are ingested in different ways. They produce different effects, which manifest themselves over different timescales. The effects of Salvia when smoked typically last for only a few minutes as compared to LSD, whose effects can persist for 8-10 hours. Media story references typically do not report this significant difference in timescale and in particular do not mention Salvia's much shorter duration of effect. Lysergic acid diethylamide, commonly called LSD, LSD-25, or acid. ... Salvinorin A is the main active psychotropic constituent of the plant Salvia divinorum (diviners sage, Mexican mint). ...

Some arguments against Salvia made by politicians have been of a preventative or imitative nature. Senator Randy Christmann (R) stated - "we need to stop this before it gets to be a huge problem not after it gets to be a huge problem"^[43] and Assemblyman Jack Conners (D) argued -"Salvia divinorum use may not be a runway epidemic, but it certainly is a phenomenon that warrants attention. We should take preventive steps now to prevent wholesale problems later on…"^[44] In October 2005 MP John Mann raised an ultimately unsuccessful Early Day Motion calling for Salvia divinorum to be banned in the UK, saying - "The Australians have clearly found a problem with it. There's obviously a risk in people taking it."^[45] John Mann (born 10th January 1960, Leeds) is a politician in the United Kingdom. ... Early day motion is a phrase used in the Westminster system for motions tabled by Members of Parliament for debate on an early day. In practice, they are never debated but are mostly used for MPs to publicise and express support for their own pet projects. ...

Opponents of such prohibitive measures argue that this is due to an inherent prejudice and a particular cultural bias rather than an actual balance of evidence, pointing out inconsistencies in attitudes toward other more toxic and addictive drugs such as alcohol and nicotine.^[46] While not objecting to some form of legal control, in particular with regard to the sale to minors or sale of enhanced high-strength extracts, most Salvia proponents otherwise argue against more prohibitive measures.^[47] Some countries and States such as Missouri have imposed the strictest Schedule I or equivalent classification against Salvia divinorum even in its natural and untreated form. Functional group of an alcohol molecule. ... Nicotine is an alkaloid found in the nightshade family of plants (Solanaceae), predominantly in tobacco, and in lower quantities in tomato, potato, eggplant (aubergine), and green pepper. ...

Those advocating consideration of Salvia divinorum’s potential for beneficial use in a modern context argue that more could be learned from Mazatec culture, where Salvia is not really associated with notions of drug taking at all and it is rather considered as a spiritual sacrament. In light of this it is argued that Salvia divinorum could be better understood more positively as an entheogen rather than pejoratively as a hallucinogen.^[48] Other entheogenic plants with continuing traditions principally of spiritual use include peyote (and other psychoactive cacti), iboga, virola, ayahuasca (an admixture of plants containing DMT + MAOI), and various types of psychoactive fungi.^[49] US legislation specifically allows two of these to be used in a spiritual context. The Native American Church is allowed to use peyote and Uniao do Vegetal (or UDV) is permitted ayahuasca.^[50] Although not consistently granted (varying from state to state), the principal grounds for such concessions are constitutional,^[51] with further grounds following from the Religious Freedom Restoration Act. This entry covers entheogens in the strict sense of the word (i. ... Hallucinogenic drug - drugs that can alter sensory perceptions. ... This entry covers entheogens in the strict sense of the word (i. ... This article or section does not cite any references or sources. ... Binomial name Tabernanthe iboga (L.) Nutt. ... Species many species, including: Virola calophylla Virola colophylloidea Virola theiodora Virola, also known as Epená, is a genus of medium-sized tree native to the South American rainforest and closely related to other Myristicaceae, such as nutmeg. ... Ayahuasca (Quechua, pronounced ) is any of various psychoactive infusions prepared from the Banisteriopsis spp. ... Dimethyltryptamine (DMT), also known as N,N-dimethyltryptamine, is a psychedelic tryptamine. ... Monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs) are a class of antidepressant drugs prescribed for the treatment of depression. ... Native American Church Native American Church, a religious denomination which practices Peyotism or Peyote religion, originated in the U.S. state of Oklahoma, and is the most widespread indigenous religion among Native Americans. ... Uniao do Vegetal (O Centro Espirita Beneficiente Uniao do Vegetal church or UDV) is a church which is known fundamentally for its usage of Hoasca (or ayahuasca) as a sacramental hallucinogenic Herbal tea. ... The Religious Freedom Restoration Act (, also known as RFRA) is a 1993 United States federal law aimed at preventing laws which substantially burdened a persons free exercise of their religion. ...

There have not been any publicized prosecutions recorded under any Salvia laws. Legislation may prove difficult to police. The plant has a nondescript appearance; the leaves are not distinctive and it does not have a distinctive odor like other illicit plants such as cannabis. Salvia divinorum looks like and can be grown as an ordinary houseplant without the need of special equipment such as hydroponics or high-power lights. Hydroponics is the growing of plants without soil. ...

Media coverage in the United States

News media has taken an escalating interest in Salvia divinorum - particularly in the United States - where an increasing number of newspaper reports have been published and television news stories broadcast. These stories generally raise alarms over Salvia's legal status. Headlining for example with comparisons to LSD,^[52][53][54] or describing it as "the new pot"^[55] for instance, with parental concerns being raised by particular focus on Salvia's use by younger teens. Without necessarily providing much further context or supporting evidence story headlines may also include 'danger' keywords, such as - "Dangerous Herb is Legal..."^[56] or "Deadly Dangers Of A Street Legal High".^[57] Such reports may mix journalistic opinion and prejudgment of the issue. - In a major ABC news report aired on July 11, 2007, the anchors are seen to exchange expressions of incredulity when referring to a Salvia story with the following introduction - "Now, an exclusive I-Team investigation of a hallucinogenic drug that has begun to sweep the nation. What might amaze you is that right now the federal government is doing nothing to stop it".^[58] is the 192nd day of the year (193rd in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 2007 (MMVII) is now the current year, a common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar and the AD/CE era. ...

Another reported issue of concern has been the emergence of YouTube,^[58][59] about which, in an interview with California based newspaper the San Francisco Chronicle, published on June 27, 2007, Daniel Siebert was quoted as saying - "Those videos are certainly not going to help the situation. They make Salvia look like some horrible drug that makes people nuts and dangerous [...]" and "The sad thing is it creates this public image where people don't realize there are sensible ways to use something like this."^[60] June 27 is the 178th day of the year (179th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 2007 (MMVII) is now the current year, a common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar and the AD/CE era. ...

Despite its growing notoriety in some circles, media stories generally suggest that the public at large are still mostly unaware of Salvia, with the majority perhaps altogether having never even heard of it.^[61] With regard to their coverage of proposals to make Salvia illegal in the US state of Maine, Bangor Daily News ran an on-line poll which posed the question "Do you think the state should outlaw the sale of the drug salvia?".^[42] While this has ~300 reader responses it should however be noted - as the poll itself says, that it's - "not a scientific survey and should not be used as a gauge of public opinion. It reflects only the opinions of bangordailynews.com readers who have chosen to participate".

Again, although published responses may not necessarily be representative of public opinion as a whole, some news agencies generally support reader and viewer feedback in connection with their stories.^{[41][52][61][62]}

Brett's law

Main article: Brett's law

A particular focus of many US media stories is the long-running coverage of the case of Brett Chidester.^[61][58] Chidester was a 17-year old Delaware student who committed suicide in January 2006 by occupying a closed tent in which a charcoal grill was lit. He died of carbon-monoxide poisoning. Reportedly, some months before this, Brett's mother had found out and questioned him about his Salvia use. Brett said that he had ceased his experimentation, but his parents do not believe that he was telling the truth. They have argued instead that Salvia caused depression and must have been largely to blame for his death. Some of Brett's earlier writings about his Salvia experiences have been used to suggest that it made him think "existence in general is pointless". Some media stories have referred to these earlier written experience reports as if they were part of Brett's suicide note. In any case, law was soon passed in Delaware classifying the herb as a Schedule I controlled substance in that state. This legislation was named "Brett's law" (formally referred to as Senate bill 259). Bretts Law is a name commonly given to a Delaware statute (SB259) generally prohibiting use of the psychoactive herb Salvia divinorum. ... Bretts Law is a name commonly given to a Delaware statute (SB259) generally prohibiting use of the psychoactive herb Salvia divinorum. ...

Although the Chidester story has been given continued exposure by US media, there has not been anywhere else, either before or since this controversial incident, any other reported cases involving or alleging Salvia divinorum as a serious factor in suicide, overdose, accidental, or any other kind of death.

Notes and references

Notes

This article or section does not cite any references or sources. ... Binomial name Tabernanthe iboga (L.) Nutt. ... Species many species, including: Virola calophylla Virola colophylloidea Virola theiodora Virola, also known as Epená, is a genus of medium-sized tree native to the South American rainforest and closely related to other Myristicaceae, such as nutmeg. ... Ayahuasca (Quechua, pronounced ) is any of various psychoactive infusions prepared from the Banisteriopsis spp. ... Native American Church Native American Church, a religious denomination which practices Peyotism or Peyote religion, originated in the U.S. state of Oklahoma, and is the most widespread indigenous religion among Native Americans. ... Uniao do Vegetal (O Centro Espirita Beneficiente Uniao do Vegetal church or UDV) is a church which is known fundamentally for its usage of Hoasca (or ayahuasca) as a sacramental hallucinogenic Herbal tea. ...

References

Year 2007 (MMVII) is now the current year, a common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar and the AD/CE era. ... is the 177th day of the year (178th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... A digital object identifier (or DOI) is a standard for persistently identifying a piece of intellectual property on a digital network and associating it with related data, the metadata, in a structured extensible way. ... A digital object identifier (or DOI) is a standard for persistently identifying a piece of intellectual property on a digital network and associating it with related data, the metadata, in a structured extensible way. ... A digital object identifier (or DOI) is a standard for persistently identifying a piece of intellectual property on a digital network and associating it with related data, the metadata, in a structured extensible way. ... Year 2007 (MMVII) is now the current year, a common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar and the AD/CE era. ... is the 179th day of the year (180th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... James Madison (March 16, 1751 – June 28, 1836), an American politician and fourth President of the United States of America (1809–1817), was one of the most influential Founders of the United States. ... A bill of rights is a list or summary of which is considered important and essential by a group of people. ... The Bill of Rights in the National Archives The First Amendment to the United States Constitution is a part of the United States Bill of Rights. ... The United States Constitution is the supreme law of the United States of America. ... is the 268th day of the year (269th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... 1789 was a common year starting on Thursday (see link for calendar). ... is the 349th day of the year (350th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... 1791 (MDCCXCI) was a common year starting on Saturday (see link for calendar) of the Gregorian calendar (or a common year starting on Tuesday of the 11-day-slower Julian calendar). ... A digital object identifier (or DOI) is a standard for persistently identifying a piece of intellectual property on a digital network and associating it with related data, the metadata, in a structured extensible way. ... A digital object identifier (or DOI) is a standard for persistently identifying a piece of intellectual property on a digital network and associating it with related data, the metadata, in a structured extensible way. ... A digital object identifier (or DOI) is a standard for persistently identifying a piece of intellectual property on a digital network and associating it with related data, the metadata, in a structured extensible way. ... Dale Pendell is a contemporary author who combines science and poetry in his explications of psychoactive compounds. ... A digital object identifier (or DOI) is a standard for persistently identifying a piece of intellectual property on a digital network and associating it with related data, the metadata, in a structured extensible way. ... Richard Evans Schultes (January 12, 1915 – April 10, 2001) may be considered the father of modern ethnobotany, not only in his devotion to the study of native uses of entheogenic or hallucinogenic plants, especially in the Amazon, in his lifelong collaborations with chemists, but also in his charismatic influence as... Dr. Dr. Albert Hofmann (born January 11, 1906) is a prominent Swiss scientist best known as the father of LSD. He was born in Baden, Switzerland, and studied chemistry at the University of Zürich. ... Year 2007 (MMVII) is now the current year, a common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar and the AD/CE era. ... June 27 is the 178th day of the year (179th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 2007 (MMVII) is now the current year, a common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar and the AD/CE era. ... is the 170th day of the year (171st in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 2007 (MMVII) is now the current year, a common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar and the AD/CE era. ... is the 186th day of the year (187th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 2007 (MMVII) is now the current year, a common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar and the AD/CE era. ... June 27 is the 178th day of the year (179th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 2007 (MMVII) is now the current year, a common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar and the AD/CE era. ... is the 179th day of the year (180th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... D.M. Turner (5 October 1962 - 31 December 1996) was a psychedelic explorer, self-monikered psychonaut and author who wrote two books on psychoactives. ... Year 2007 (MMVII) is now the current year, a common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar and the AD/CE era. ... May 20 is the 140th day of the year (141st in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... A digital object identifier (or DOI) is a standard for persistently identifying a piece of intellectual property on a digital network and associating it with related data, the metadata, in a structured extensible way. ... A digital object identifier (or DOI) is a standard for persistently identifying a piece of intellectual property on a digital network and associating it with related data, the metadata, in a structured extensible way. ...

News references

UK

For the Manfred Mann album, see 2006 (album). ... is the 272nd day of the year (273rd in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 2005 (MMV) was a common year starting on Saturday (link displays full calendar) of the Gregorian calendar. ... is the 287th day of the year (288th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ...

US

Year 2007 (MMVII) is now the current year, a common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar and the AD/CE era. ... is the 192nd day of the year (193rd in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 2007 (MMVII) is now the current year, a common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar and the AD/CE era. ... is the 194th day of the year (195th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 2007 (MMVII) is now the current year, a common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar and the AD/CE era. ... June 27 is the 178th day of the year (179th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 2007 (MMVII) is now the current year, a common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar and the AD/CE era. ... is the 169th day of the year (170th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 2007 (MMVII) is now the current year, a common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar and the AD/CE era. ... is the 130th day of the year (131st in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 2007 (MMVII) is now the current year, a common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar and the AD/CE era. ... is the 50th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 2007 (MMVII) is now the current year, a common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar and the AD/CE era. ... Insert non-formatted text here{| style=float:right; |- | paul is so hot sophie loves him |- | |} is the 45th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 2007 (MMVII) is now the current year, a common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar and the AD/CE era. ... is the 31st day of the year in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 2007 (MMVII) is now the current year, a common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar and the AD/CE era. ... is the 23rd day of the year in the Gregorian calendar. ... For the Manfred Mann album, see 2006 (album). ... is the 334th day of the year (335th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... For the Manfred Mann album, see 2006 (album). ... is the 334th day of the year (335th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... For the Manfred Mann album, see 2006 (album). ... is the 332nd day of the year (333rd in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... For the Manfred Mann album, see 2006 (album). ... is the 335th day of the year (336th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... For the Manfred Mann album, see 2006 (album). ... is the 317th day of the year (318th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... For the Manfred Mann album, see 2006 (album). ... is the 103rd day of the year (104th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ...

Further reading