Salvia Divinorum Info & Guide
Other names: Aztec Sage, Gods Sage,
Dream-Prophecy Sage, Sally D, Magic Mint.
Part 1: Action & Effects
Salvia divinorum is the most psychoactive compound known to man, working in similar quantities as LSD.
It has psychedelic effects when consumed by chewing, smoking, or being drunk as tea.
- “Revixia Life Sciences”, an entity of clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company atai Life Sciences, is developing a proprietary formulation of Salvinorin A, RLS-01, as a medication for treatment-resistant depression.
Action & Effects
When you smoke or vape Salvia divinorum, the effects come on within just a few seconds. At low doses, only a slight change in perception can occur and is comparable to other psychedelics such as DMT or LSD. However, the effects at higher doses are quite unique with Salvia Divinorum and are often described by consumers as “shifted”.
Salvia divinorum’s consciousness shift is difficult to understand if you haven’t experienced it yourself.
How would you explain an orgasm to someone who has never experienced one themselves?
The action and effects of Salvia divinorum are heavily dependent on the set, setting and dosage. More on that in later chapters.
Classic effects of Salvia divinorum are:
Altered body perception, limitation of motor skills, distorted perception, Restriction or loss of the sense of self, fits of laughter, Things are seen and felt at the same time, Fear, confusion…
The most noticeable physical sensation of a Salvinorin divinorum (Salvinorin A) experience is what many people refer to as “Salvia Gravity”. This is at least partially present during most Salvia experiences and increases proportionately with dose. It begins with a heavy feeling pulling and tugging at the body. As the dose increases, it becomes so potent that it lifts the user out of the body at extremely high speeds and for long distances in a direction that often makes no sense. It feels like the user is being pushed or pulled into a space unlike anything found in classic hallucinogens.
Altered body shape: This effect, described as a non-painful sensation, causes the body to stretch horizontally or vertically to infinity. The feeling of dividing in two halves is also often described. This can even lead to the consumer feeling that they have actually become an inanimate object in their current environment.
Visual Changes: When the eyes are kept open during a moderate to strong experience, a range of distortions and changes usually occur. These are described as “easier” compared to the visual changes seen in classical hallucinogens.
Cognitive Changes: Salvia’s general “mind trip” has been described by many as a cognitive suppression or distortion. Most Salvia experiences generate little to no personal introspection, but rather powerful and interesting experiences.
Part 2: History and use.
Due to its psychoactive properties, S. divinorum was used for centuries by the Mazatec for spiritual, religious, and medicinal purposes. In folk tradition, the plant is considered the incarnation of the Virgin Mary and is treated with great respect. Traditionally it was used by the Mazatec to relieve headaches, rheumatism, abdominal swelling or diarrhea.
In the western world, more and more people are starting to use the substance to treat depression, improve their meditation practice, or for spiritual advancement.
Although not much research has been done on the therapeutic effects of Salvia divinorum compared to other psychedelics, there is some evidence that the substance may prove useful in treating addiction and pain, as well as in understanding schizophrenia and Alzheimer’s.
Maria Sabina, the best known Mazatec curandera or shaman, dedicated her life to the healing work with psilocybin mushrooms and Salvia divinorum. She once famously remarked that when the mushrooms are not available, she resorts to the use of salvia. She noted that salvia doesn’t have as much strength as the mushrooms, but that could also have been due to the fact that she prepared an infusion with the leaves. While a salvia tea produces psychoactive effects, it is not nearly as strong as the quid method, for example.
NEVER use Salvia in a location where any dangerous objects, including not only guns and knives but also sharp objects and anything else potentially harmful, are nearby.
NEVER use Salvia and get behind the wheel of a car.
DO plan out your Salvia trips well in advance, paying attention to the location and time of the event. Pick a place that is safe and private, free of dangers (heights, open flames, use common sense), and free of anything that you could harm or may distract you (no children or pets, and keep work & annoyances away).
DO plan out an appropriate dosage, and decide beforehand how you are going to ingest the Salvia, whether it be smoking, orally, or something else.
DO prepare the area before you take your hit, arranging your pipe, lighter, herb, and other equipment well within reach. Have a place to lie down after your hit, and a place to set your pipe.
DO try not to walk or run around during your trip, instead laying back, relaxing, and allowing the visions to take over and guide you through the Salvia world.
DO close your eyes – IF you are looking for stronger effects.
DO, and this is arguably the most important, use with at least one other person who is capable of taking care of you while you trip (This is especially important for large doses are strong ingestion methods, e.g. vaporizer). Take care of others when they’re using Salvia.
Part 3: Risks & Rules
Like most hallucinogens, Salvia divinorum can lead to a wide variety of negative effects in consumers. These include, among others:
Paranoia, fear, panic
confusion
time warp
Body sensations perceived as strenuous
Emotional turbulence
inner turmoil
Unpleasant stomach feeling
restlessness
Increased sweating
confrontation with negative thoughts
A 2003 study found that pure salvinorin A had “relatively low” toxicity. The animals survived well even at doses of up to 6400mcg – more than three times the highest known human dose and six times the maximum recommended dose. In humans, toxic overdose не возможна.
In 2013, another group of researchers administered various doses of salvinorin A to human participants and found no evidence of any adverse side effects a month later. There is also no evidence that Salvia divinorum is addictive.
Safe Use Rules
Due to the disorienting effects of Salvia divinorum, it is highly recommended that someone accompany you when taking it. This is especially important for first-time users and anyone experimenting with higher doses or more effective methods of administration (e.g., vaping). It’s also a good idea to lie down during the trip. Sharp objects and other dangerous objects should be removed from the surrounding area.
Other safer user rules are:
Only take Salvia divinorum well prepared.
Do not consume on a full stomach, but also not on an empty one. A small breakfast an hour before taking it is perfect.
Don’t try to fight the effect. The negative experience is related to the fact that you cannot let go of the situation and try to maintain control.
P.s. Mixed use.
In general, we advise against mixed consumption of psychedelics. Especially substances that have such a rapid onset of action as Salvia divinorum are intense enough on their own and do not need to be mixed with other substances.
Some users of Salvia report that combining it with cannabis in particular has led to experiences that have changed the way cannabis is consumed forever. Every cannabis experience thereafter is said to have been reminiscent of the salvia experience.
Part 4: Preparation
Set = What mindset and expectations do you have for the upcoming experience?
Setting = In what setting will the experience take place?
Questions for yourself:
how are you feeling lately
Are you doing well mentally and physically?
Are you afraid of what experience will show you?
Or is it more respect?
If you feel like you don’t have the right feeling yet, we encourage you to delve further into your personal development and psychedelics. The more you learn about the substance, the easier it will be for you to mentally adjust to the experience.
In general, especially with Salvia divinorum, it is recommended to have the experience in a safe place inside a building, not in nature.
With Set & Setting secured, another part of the preparation will be to weigh your motivation.
Why do you want to consume Salvia divinorum?
Do you have an intrinsic reason for the experience?
Or do you do it more because other people do it too?
Ask yourself what you want to achieve with the experience. But beware: you should not have any expectations of your experience, because these can never be fulfilled.
Salvia is not a “fire and forget” drug (like alcohol, amphetamines, or MDMA) that you can throw in to make you feel better!
With the right motivation, this drug can become a powerful psychological tool, allowing you to see and change your mind in ways previously hidden from you.
I also recommend that you never consume Salvia divinorum alone, but have a trip sitter with you who can guide you responsibly throughout the experience.
If you are still afraid of a “bad trip” or are not sure how to use psychedelics for yourself, I recommend our professional psychedelics consultation!
Part 5: The Salvia Experiential Scale.
The Salvia Experiential is a six level scale designed to let users rate the intensity of their Salvia trip. The six letters of the acronym S.A.L.V.I.A. correspond to ascending levels of intensity, one through six.
LEVEL 1: SUBTLE EFFECTS
Just like a “subtle” tap on the shoulder or a “subtle” noise in the background, Salvia trips reaching only the S level are just noticeable but relatively as mild as it can get. The feeling of a level one Salvia could be similar to the feeling you get from relaxed, deep breathing, or perhaps very focused.
LEVEL 2: ALTERED PERCEPTION
At this point thought patterns and sensory details are distinctly different from normal. Music can sound richer and fuller, and a person at level two might be able to distinguish details of colors and textures with ease. The “aura” of the space around might seem different, maybe larger or smaller, and slight effects on memory can be apparent. This level is akin to a normal marijuana buzz.
LEVEL 3: LIGHT VISIONARY STATE
As the level’s name suggests, a person tripping at level three experiences light visions, aural and visual. These can be similar to the “mini-hallucinations” that are created by hypnagogic imagery, experienced by everyone before sleep. Common visuals are pulsating or repeating geometric designs, fractal patterns, lattices, and other abstract combinations of colors and shape, in addition to people and objects when nearing level four. at level three have a firm grasp on themselves and their reality, experiencing these visions as just passing imagery.
Part 6: The Salvia Experiential Scale.
LEVEL 4: VIVID VISIONARY STATE
A person at level four gets the same kind of visual and auditory experiences as a person in level three, but they are fuller, more concrete, and longer lasting. Instead of two dimensional designs and shapes, scenes and 3 dimensional visuals can occur with the eyes closed, and when focused on without distractions these scenes can expand to fill the user’s conscious state. As if one is “entering” the dream that you saw in level three, level four experiences can become complex and coherent enough to follow story lines and explore hallucinatory landscapes.
Not uncommon are journeys to other dimensions, meetings with aliens or other complex life forms, visions of animals and insects (people have reported feeling a transformation into a different animal species), and outlandish & colorful landscapes. At this stage, a user should make the decision to sit back, relax, dim the lights, and close their eyes, allowing the closed-eye visuals to take their form and guide you into the world of Salvia.
LEVEL 5: IMMATERIAL EXISTENCE
As a user progresses through the stages of intensity during a Salvia trip, his trip “environment” (the world he is hallucinating) becomes stronger and more solid as the sensory environment and the old reality slip away. The point where the trip environment begins to become so strong that it overpowers both the sensory environment and even the consciousness is level five.
Though a user will still be able to think to themselves and remain aware of their own consciousness at level five, the world around them is entirely out of their hands, turned into an ever-changing projection of your subconscious thoughts and feelings, building a dream world that eliminates any possibility of an outside world. People at this level will experience talks with themselves or divine beings, conscious-altering thoughts and states, and a lack of center control of thought. Some people lose complete awareness of their physical body and the physical world at this level.
Ego loss, or loss of awareness of self, is nearing, causing people to experience “merging” and become “one” with other objects or people in their world. If a user reaches this level, on purpose or by accident, without a tripsitter, they will be in for some deep trouble. A complete lack of awareness combined with blind stumbling can result in countless injuries. Any interaction with people on the outside world is entirely out the window. When properly reached, however, this level is seen as a goal among Salvia users.
Part 7: SALVIA AND EGO LOSS. The Salvia Experiential Scale.
LEVEL 6: AMNESIC EFFECTS
Level six, the last and highest level, is the point at which total ego loss occurs, and with it the memory of the experience may be entirely lost afterwards. On the outside, the user might show strange facial expressions, utter incomprehensible words & noises, bang, trash around, topple over, or even sit perfectly still and silent. On the inside, the user is not at all aware that they are on a Salvia trip or even of who they are.
Tripsitters need to be extra alert when dealing with a person at level six, especially because the person can easily hurt or injure themselves without having a clue they did it or feeling any pain. At the same time, keeping a record of the events might be helpful in the future, since most times a user can’t remember the experience after it happened (if they were even aware during it). Since memory of the trip is lost and the trip isn’t considered enjoyable, most users, even heavy users, try to stick to level 5 as a maximum satisfactory trip.
SALVIA AND EGO LOSS
When a Salvia user is in a relaxed and calm environment with few distractions, he/she can reach a state of near “ego loss,” or a so-called divine state of selflessness. The plant’s use by humans has been documented for hundreds of years, and our history with it probably dates back even further. It’s commonly used in religious and spiritual events, such as ceremonies or enlightenment walks, and was a key part of the culture of the Mazatec Native Americans of present day Oaxaca, Mexico. Its enriched history gave it its scientific name, which in translation means sage of the Diviners.