Between 2006 and 2008, past-year use of Salvia divinorum among US residents aged 12 or older rose from 0.7% to 1.3%, an 83% increase. Users were typically 18–25 years old, male, white or multiracial, and living in large metropolitan areas. Salvia use was especially common among people who also used other drugs: 53.7% of recent users had used LSD, 30.1% ecstasy, 24.2% heroin, 22.4% PCP, and 17.5% cocaine. Polydrug use was the strongest predictor of both recent and former salvia use. An estimated 43% of past-year salvia users had an illicit or nonmedical drug-use disorder, compared with 2.5% of nonusers. Even after adjusting for other drug use, salvia users had higher odds of depression and substance-use disorders.
Salvia divinorum use is most common among young adults aged 18-25 and individuals who engage in risk-taking behaviors such as selling illicit drugs or stealing, as well as those who use other illicit drugs, particularly other hallucinogens or ecstasy. Self-reported depression and anxiety are also associated with salvia use. The findings indicate that salvia use is part of a broader pattern of psychosocial and behavioral problems among youth and young adults. Its accessibility, legal status, and psychoactive effects may pose additional health risks, especially for those with existing substance use problems.