The Salvia divinorum Research and Information Center - Shroomery

The Salvia divinorum FAQ
Q. Okay, tell me about smoking.
A. Smoking is probably the most common method for 'Western' users. Dried Salvia leaf
is readily available from commercial sources and can be smoked without further
preparation in tobacco pipes, joints, or water-pipes or bongs. Salvia must be smoked
hot (hotter than tobacco is) in order for salvinorin to be vaporized. The smoke is
inhaled fast and hot, deeply into the lungs. Several hits in quick succession are usually
required. The smoke is irritating and probably has the same sort of health risks as
tobacco smoke - cancer, bronchitis, emphysema, and heart and blood vessel disease.
When smoking it is a good idea to have a sitter present although many smokers do not
take this advice.
Q. What is the usual dose?
A. One or two large crushed leaves (¼–½ gram). Individual requirements will vary.
Q. How strong is smoking?
A. It varies greatly depending on the dose.
Q. How long does the trip last?
A. When smoked, the first effects are noticed within 1 minute, rapidly developing to a
peak which lasts 5 - 10 minutes, then gradually diminishing over the next 20 - 30
minutes. From beginning to end, the entire experience lasts 30 minutes to one hour.
Best not to drive for at least several more hours - just in case your reflexes or
judgement are impaired longer than you think they might be.
Q. Is there any special trick to smoking Salvia divinorum?
A. Please read "How to achieve effects from smoked Salvia divinorum". It is best to
smoke the leaf material in a pipe (not a cigarette). Salvinorin A has a relatively high
vaporization temperature, and with a pipe you can draw a flame directly onto the leaf
material so that it burns quite hot. It is very important to hold the smoke deeply in the
lungs for a good 20 - 30 seconds before exhaling. This allows time for salvinorin A to be
absorbed from the smoke. If one exhales to quickly, much of the material will be
wasted. The level of effects you achieve depends on the amount of smoke inhaled and
absorbed within about a 2 minute period. Within 2 minutes, you should be able to take
3 big hits (holding each one in for 20 - 30 seconds). The body metabolizes salvinorin A
quite rapidly, so if you want to increase the effect by smoking several hits, you need to
ingest the smoke faster than it is metabolized. If you pause too long between hits, the
duration will be extended, but the intensity of effects won't increase.
Q. How do I smoke salvinorin A fortified leaf?
A. The standardized salvinorin A enhanced leaf is very easy to use. Place the amount
that you intend to use in the bowl of a small pipe. Since the leaf may be very finely
crumbled, the pipe should be fitted with a fine-mesh screen in the bottom of the bowl to
prevent small particals from getting into the pipe-stem and being inhaled. When you
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