The Salvia divinorum Research and Information Center - Shroomery

The Salvia divinorum FAQ
This document is updated frequently. The most recent version can always be found at:
http://sagewisdom.org/faq.html. I do not want to see obsolete versions floating around
on the Internet. So please do not copy it to other web sites. If you want to make the
FAQ accessible from another web site, simply include a link to the above URL.
This FAQ is intended for mature, legally-competent adults, willing and able to make
their own decisions without blaming others for what they do, or don't do. It is not
written for minors, incompetents, or for any individual who is unable, or unwilling, to
take complete legal and moral responsibility for his or her actions. By the act of
continuing to read this FAQ you are agreeing that you are a legally competent
responsible adult, and that you are willing to take sole responsibility for the
consequences of your actions. If you do not agree with this statement, please stop
reading now.
III. SALVIA DIVINORUM BASICS
Q. What is Salvia divinorum?
A. Salvia divinorum is a plant used for its psychoactive effects. Given the right dose,
individual, set and setting, it produces a unique state of 'divine inebriation' which has
been traditionally used by Mazatec healers. This inebriation is quite different from that
of alcohol. S. divinorum is both similar to, and different from, other drugs that affect
the brain and behavior. In many ways Salvia divinorum is a unique 'magical' herb.
Salvia (and the salvinorin it contains) is very difficult to categorize pharmacologically.
It does not fit well into any existing pharmacological class. Louis Lewin, the father of
psychopharmacology called vision inducing drugs 'phantastica'. Let us dust off this
venerable term and recycle it by calling Salvia divinorum a 'phantasticant'.
Q. Does Salvia divinorum have a history of traditional use?
A. Salvia divinorum is used as a sacred medicine by indigenous shamanic healers living
in the mountainous Sierra Madre Oriental in the northeastern corner of the Mexican
State of Oaxaca. In Spanish, these specialized healers are referred to as curanderos; in
Mazatec these people are called cho-ta-ci-ne ("one who knows"). Salvia divinorum is
primarily used in situations where the curanderos feels it is necessary to travel into the
supernatural world in order to discover the true cause of the patient's trouble. It is used
in a ceremonial manner to induce a visionary trance state, within which it is possible
determine the underlying cause of disease and to learn what steps should be taken to
remedy such disease. It is also used in cases of theft or loss to determine the
circumstances and whereabouts of missing objects. The leaves are always used fresh
and are consumed orally; either by chewing the leaves or drinking an aqueous infusion
of the crushed-leaf juices. Sometimes it is given to the patient, sometimes it is taken by
the curandero and sometimes both take it together.
Most reports describe the use of this plant by Mazatec shamans, and although it is just
http://www.sagewisdom.org/faq.html (4 of 38) [04.09.01 10:18:58]