Abuse and Effects of Salvia divinorum in a Sample of Patients Hospitalized for Substance Dependence.
Community mental health journal – May 01, 2019
Source: PubMed
Summary
Remarkably, two-thirds of patients hospitalized for substance dependence reported using the hallucinogen salvia. A study among 47 heavy drug users undergoing detoxification investigated this drug's impact. It revealed that salvia's effects, primarily perceptual alterations, were rapid and brief, lasting just 15 minutes. While users experienced these hallucinogenic shifts, the study found no significant differences in broader emotional or cognitive impacts compared to non-salvia users. This suggests a distinct, short-lived perceptual experience associated with this substance.
Abstract
The study goal is to document the prevalence of salvia use among patients admitted for detoxification of other illicit drug use and to determine its effect. This cross-sectional study included 47 heavy drug users who were admitted for detoxification of other illicit drug abuse at a psychiatric hospital in Lebanon. The prevalence of salvia use was 66%. The salvia effect started and dissipated rapidly (15 min). No significant difference was found between salvia and non-salvia users in terms of affect, cognition and somaesthesia subscales of the Hallucinogen Rating Scale. Ratings of intensity and volition subscales were higher in non-salvia users than salvia users, while perception score was higher in users. Salvia use was correlated with perceptual alteration and hallucinogenic effects.