Subjective Effects and Characteristics of Salvia Divinorum Use from a Retrospective Largescale Survey
Spencer W. Wheeler, Jonathan Dinsmore, Natalie L. Dyer
June 26, 2026 preprint DOI: 10.31234/osf.io/n9gfq_v1 via OpenAlex
Summary
The study investigated the subjective effects of salvia in 321 participants who completed a survey about their recent salvia experiences. On average, participants selected 16.5 items on the Salvia Experience Checklist (SEC) and had a total Hallucinogen Rating Scale (HRS) score of 186.36. Scores on the HRS subscales were significantly correlated with SEC scores, and higher SEC scores were linked to more potent extracts and smoking as the administration method. Further research is needed to refine the SEC.
Study at a glance
| Design | exploratory research |
|---|---|
| Sample size | 321 |
| Population | individuals who have used salvia |
| Key finding | Scores on all subscales of the Hallucinogen Rating Scale were significantly correlated with scores on the Salvia Experience Checklist. |
Abstract
Salvia divinorum (salvia) is a powerful, unique psychedelic, with its psychoactive compound salvinorin A acting as a kappa opioid receptor agonist. The purpose of this study was to investigate the subjective effects of salvia in a large sample and to gather early data regarding the validity of the salvia experience checklist (SEC). Four hundred participants were recruited online through forums and mailing lists. Participants answered questionnaires related to their salvia use history and their most recent salvia experience, including type and strength of extract, administration method, and inhalation time. They then rated their most recent salvia experience using the Hallucinogen Rating Scale (HRS) and the SEC, a 58-item list of experiences common to salvia. Participants provided a report of their most recent salvia experience for mixed-methods analysis of salvia phenomenology. A total of 321 participants completed the survey. The mean number of items selected on the SEC was 16.5 (SD = 10.5) and the total HRS score was 186.36 (SD = 40.48). Scores on all subscales of the HRS were significantly correlated with scores on the SEC. Tetrachoric exploratory factor analysis of the SEC resulted in 10 factors along with several indicators of adequate model fit. Manifest content analysis yielded 16 major themes. SEC scores were positively correlated with salvia extract potency and smoking as administration method. The results of this study contribute to further characterizing the unique phenomenology of salvia and advancing development of the SEC, though more work is needed, including with prospective samples.