Salvia divinorum: effects and use among YouTube users.
Drug and alcohol dependence April 1, 2010 James E Lange, Jason Daniel, Kestrel Homer et al. 85 citations
Salvia divinorum is a potent, short-acting hallucinogenic plant increasingly used by adolescents in the United States, yet its effects have been poorly documented. By systematically observing 34 unedited YouTube videos capturing the entire drug experience, trained raters recorded 42 effects at 30-second intervals. Onset of symptoms was rapid, often within 30 seconds, and effects typically dissipated within 8 minutes. Higher doses were associated with longer effect duration. The observations provide a look at users in a non-laboratory setting, showing impairments and behaviors consistent with a powerful hallucinogen. The study also demonstrates both the feasibility and limitations of using YouTube videos to assess emerging drugs and their effects.