Subjective Effects and Characteristics of Salvia Divinorum Use from a Retrospective Largescale Survey

Salvia divinorum is a unique psychedelic whose active compound, salvinorin A, acts on kappa opioid receptors. In an online survey of 321 participants about their most recent salvia experience, the average number of items endorsed on the Salvia Experience Checklist (SEC) was 16.5 out of 58, and the average Hallucinogen Rating Scale (HRS) score was 186.36. Scores on all HRS subscales correlated significantly with SEC scores. Exploratory factor analysis of the SEC yielded 10 factors, and content analysis identified 16 major themes. Higher SEC scores were associated with stronger extract potency and with smoking as the administration method. The findings help characterize salvia's phenomenology and support further development of the SEC.

Study at a glance

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.