Pretreatment with several kappa-opioid receptor agonists, including salvinorin A (Sal A), the active compound in Salvia divinorum, reduced cocaine-induced drug-seeking in rats. After learning to self-administer cocaine, rats underwent extinction and then received a cocaine priming injection. Cocaine-induced reinstatement of drug-seeking was attenuated by U69593, U50488H, spiradoline, and Sal A. Sal A did not affect sucrose-reinforced responding or cocaine-induced hyperactivity, suggesting its effects are specific to drug-seeking. These findings indicate that Sal A, like other kappa-opioid agonists, can suppress cocaine-seeking behavior.
Salvia divinorum, an intense hallucinogen, was legal in New Zealand when an anonymous questionnaire was advertised to young adults in 2010-2011. Of 393 respondents, 167 had used salvia. Thematic analysis of open-ended answers identified three themes: salvia's effects, the importance of set and setting, and pleasure or not-pleasure from use. Recreational salvia use occurred within a broader drug landscape; participants were drug experienced and "drug wise." Use was intermittent, often described as a novel experience. The 2014 criminalization of salvia under the Psychoactive Substances Amendment Act may lead to a significant decline in use as experienced users seek novel drug experiences elsewhere.