Salvia divinorum is a herb in the mint family whose active compound, salvinorin A, causes intense hallucinations. The experience is often frightening, and the loss of coordination and awareness it causes can lead to injuries. Salvia has no approved medical use in the United States, and Florida law lists it as a Schedule I controlled substance.
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Salvia divinorum is a perennial herb in the mint family. It is native to the Sierra Mazateca region of Oaxaca, Mexico, and today it is also grown in the United States and imported from Mexico and Central and South America. The plant has large green leaves, hollow square stems and white flowers. The Mazatec people of Oaxaca have used it in religious rituals.
Salvia divinorum is a different plant from the sage used in cooking, even though both belong to the same plant genus. Its active compound is salvinorin A, found mainly in the leaves. Street names include diviner’s sage, Maria Pastora, Sally-D and magic mint.
Neither Salvia divinorum nor salvinorin A is approved for any medical use in the United States.
Salvia products sold in other states and online range from plain leaves to concentrated extracts that claim to be many times stronger. That means the strength of any one product is hard to know, which adds to the risk.
How Salvia Affects the Brain and Body
Salvinorin A works differently from most hallucinogens. According to the DEA and NIDA, it strongly activates kappa opioid receptors in the brain. Unlike LSD and other classic hallucinogens, it does not act on the serotonin 2A receptor.
People who have used salvia report effects such as:
- Seeing bright lights, vivid colors and shapes
- Feeling that their body or objects around them are moving or distorting
- Hallucinations and a sense of overlapping realities
- A sense of losing their body
- Uncontrolled laughter
- Dysphoria, a deeply unpleasant or uneasy mood
Physical effects can include dizziness, poor coordination and slurred speech.
Short- and Long-Term Risks
Short-term risks
The main short-term danger is what can happen while a person’s perception and coordination are disrupted. NIDA notes that hallucinogenic and dissociative drugs can impair perception in ways that lead to dangerous behavior and injuries. With salvia, a person may fall, walk into traffic or other hazards, or lose track of where they are.
- Never drive, swim or operate machinery after using salvia, and never ride with a driver who has used it.
- Salvia can cause intense fear, panic and anxiety, and the dysphoria it produces can be distressing for the person and for those around them.
- Mixing salvia with alcohol or other drugs makes it harder to predict what will happen.
Long-term risks
The long-term effects of salvia on the brain and body have not been well studied. What is known is that chronic use of salvinorin A can lead to withdrawal symptoms, described below. If you have a history of anxiety, depression or psychosis, talk with a doctor about how any drug use may affect your mental health.
What to Do in an Emergency
Call 911 if someone who has used salvia is injured, does not respond, has trouble breathing, or is in severe distress or a danger to themselves or others. While you wait:
- Stay with the person and speak calmly.
- Move them away from hazards such as stairs, water, traffic or sharp objects, if it is safe to do so.
- Tell responders what was taken, including alcohol or any other drugs.
If the person has thoughts of suicide, call or text 988.
Is Salvia Addictive? Dependence and Withdrawal
Salvia’s addiction potential has not been well studied. However, the DEA reports that chronic use of salvinorin A produces withdrawal symptoms, including:
- Irritability
- Malaise, a general feeling of being unwell
- Anxiety
Doctors can diagnose problems with hallucinogens like salvia as a substance use disorder; the diagnostic manual used in the United States includes “other hallucinogen use disorder.” A doctor or counselor can help you look at your whole pattern of substance use, not just one drug.
Salvia and the Law
Salvia’s legal status depends on where you are.
- Federal law: According to the DEA, Salvia divinorum and salvinorin A are not controlled under the federal Controlled Substances Act.
- Florida law: Florida Statutes s. 893.03 lists both Salvia divinorum and salvinorin A as Schedule I controlled substances, except for any drug product approved by the FDA.
Laws differ from state to state, and salvia products may still be advertised online or sold in other states. That does not make them legal in Florida. Possessing or selling salvia in Florida can lead to criminal charges.
Treatment for Salvia and Hallucinogen Use in Florida
Treatment for salvia or other hallucinogen use usually starts with an assessment of your substance use, physical health and mental health. From there, care centers on counseling and behavioral therapy that help you understand why you use, manage triggers and build a life that supports recovery. A good program will ask about every substance you use, not just one.
Anxiety, depression and other mental health symptoms often go hand in hand with substance use. If that sounds like you, dual diagnosis treatment in Florida treats both together. Many people do well in outpatient rehab, which fits around work, school and family; others need more structure.
Florida has licensed treatment programs in every region. You can find one near you through Florida rehab by county or search all listings in our free rehab directory.
How to Help Someone Who Uses Salvia
If you’re worried about a friend or family member, pick a calm, private moment to talk when they are not under the influence of any drug. Describe what you’ve noticed, such as risky situations, injuries, changes in mood or use of other drugs, and tell them you’re asking because you care.
- Stay calm and avoid labels. People are more likely to accept help when they don’t feel judged or shamed.
- Ask about other substances. The whole picture of your substance use matters.
- Offer practical help. Offer to search for a program together, make the first phone call, or go with them to an assessment.
- Know when it is urgent. If they talk about suicide, are hurt, or are a danger to themselves or others, call 988 or 911.
- Get support for yourself. Family counseling and support groups can help you cope while your loved one gets help.
Getting Help Now
- SAMHSA National Helpline: 1-800-662-4357. Free, confidential treatment referrals, 24/7, in English and Spanish.
- Call or text 988 if you or someone you know is in crisis or thinking about suicide.
- Call 911 for any medical emergency.
Sources
Frequently Asked Questions About Salvia Divinorum: Effects, Risks and Legal Status in Florida
What is salvia?
Salvia, or Salvia divinorum, is a herb in the mint family native to the Sierra Mazateca region of Oaxaca, Mexico. It is a different plant from the sage used in cooking. Its active compound, salvinorin A, causes hallucinations by acting on kappa opioid receptors, which is different from how drugs like LSD work. It is not approved for any medical use in the United States.
What are the effects of salvia?
Salvia causes hallucinations such as bright lights, vivid colors and shapes, and objects or bodies seeming to move or distort. People also report uncontrolled laughter, a sense of losing their body, overlapping realities and dysphoria, which is a deeply unpleasant mood. Physical effects can include dizziness, poor coordination and slurred speech. The experience is often frightening rather than pleasant.
Is salvia dangerous?
Yes, salvia carries real risks, mainly because it severely disrupts perception and coordination. People under its effects can fall, injure themselves or put others at risk, so it should never be combined with driving. It can cause intense fear and anxiety, and its long-term effects on the brain have not been well studied. If someone is injured or in severe distress, call 911.
Is salvia legal in Florida?
No, salvia is illegal in Florida. State law lists both Salvia divinorum and its active compound, salvinorin A, as Schedule I controlled substances. Salvia is not controlled under federal law, so its legal status differs from state to state, and products may still be sold online or in other states. Possessing or selling it in Florida can lead to criminal charges.
Is salvia addictive?
Salvia's addiction potential has not been well studied, but chronic use can cause withdrawal. The DEA reports that repeated use of salvinorin A leads to withdrawal symptoms such as irritability, malaise and anxiety. A doctor or counselor can help you look at your whole pattern of substance use.
Where can I get help for hallucinogen use in Florida?
Florida has licensed treatment programs for hallucinogen and other drug use in every region, and you can find them by county in our free directory. Treatment usually involves an assessment, counseling, and care for any anxiety, depression or other mental health symptoms. Start with Florida rehab by county, or call the SAMHSA National Helpline at 1-800-662-4357.
