The Salvia divinorum Research and Information Center - Shroomery

The Salvia divinorum FAQ
A. Within seconds of inhaling a lung full of vapor. The first few inhalations often
contain no salvinorin as the unit is not yet hot enough. Once salvinorin is inhaled you
have only seconds to lie down in a safe place before you become incapacitated!
Q. Is vaporization a good way to go?
A. NO! Definitely not with present day vaporizer designs. Perhaps in the future a
vaporizer will be designed specifically for Salvia use which consistently delivers just the
dose one is seeking. But using present day designs one goes too far, too fast. Injuries
and fires can easily occur. There's nothing desirable about passing out. Instead of being
able to linger at the interesting moderate trip levels of 3 and 4, you are blasted into a
maximum intensity trip for which you will have little subsequent memory, and then it's
all over. If you want to get completely smashed instantly vaporization will achieve that,
but if you want a dialog with a 'teacher plant', just smoke leaves, or better yet take
Salvia orally.
Q. How about oral use?
A. Oral use by means of chewed and swallowed leaves, or by means of a water-based
Salvia drink are the traditional methods of use by the Mazatec healers. These methods
have much to recommend them including safety and suitability for learning from the
'teacher plant'. When Salvia leaves are chewed and held in ones mouth a long time,
salvinorin is absorbed directly by the tissues lining the mouth. Swallowed Salvia is
much less effective, although the traditional Mazatec water-based drink, which is
swallowed, is effective if enough leaves are used in its preparation.
Q. Does oral Salvia work as fast as smoking?
A. Definitely not. When ingested orally, the first effects begin in 10 -20 minutes. The
effects build to a peak fairly quickly, reaching a plateau which can last anywhere from
30 minutes to one and a half hours. The effects then gradually subside over an
additional 30 minutes to one and a half hours. From beginning to end, the entire
experience can last anywhere from one to three hours. 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. What method of ingestion produces the best effects: Smoked or oral?
A: Different people have different preferences. You should experiment with both
methods and find your own preference. Smoking provides a relatively short, but
potentially very intense experience, whereas sublingual absorption provides a
substantially longer lasting and somewhat more gentle experience.
Q. What is the quid method?
A. A quid is a rolled up cylinder of fresh leaves. The quid method traditionally uses
fresh Salvia leaves, large ones if available. Rehydrated previously dried leaves can be
used if fresh ones are unavailable; there seems to be little loss of strength due to drying
and rehydration. The quid method brings about a fine trip that lasts somewhat longer
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