The Salvia divinorum Research and Information Center - Shroomery

Ps94amay99
Salvinorin A is most effective when vaporized and inhaled. Siebert, in his pioneering study on the effects of the diterpene in
human volunteers, stated that heating it on a piece of tinfoil and inhaling the vapors via the mouth through a short glass pipe
induces profound hallucinations. A dose of 200-500 mcg produces visions that last from 30 minutes to an hour or two, while
doses over 2 mg are effective for much longer. At doses greater than 500 mcg the subject is often no longer aware of their
surroundings and may enter an uncontrollable delirium; they must be watched carefully (Siebert In press; Siebert 1994). This
method of dosing, smoking the compound in a short glass pipe, as well as its potency have been corroborated by others (Ott
1994; Blosser 1993). Siebert also reported that encapsulated doses of salvinorin A up to 10 mg taken orally were ineffective in
his subjects. He tried spreading the compound on the oral mucosa of the volunteers, but found absorption and effects to be
erratic (Siebert In press).
This is interesting, because testing of the compound in the open field indicated it had the relatively low potency of mescaline.
We found that salvinorin A was insoluble in water; it had to be dissolved in corn oil and Tween-80 (a surfactant) before adding
water to make an emulsion. The emulsion had to be shaken thoroughly before dosing each animal, as it would readily break
(settle). It was administered by intraperitoneal injection (3.2 to 100 mg/kg of salvinorin A) and log-dose/response curves of
measured behavioral parameters were satisfactory (Valdés 1983). In toxicity studies mice were dosed at 1 g/kg of salvinorin A
(the limits of being able to make a serviceable preparation) and observed them for a week. All animals survived and appeared
unharmed, but they were not autopsied (Valdés et al. 1987). It is obvious that salvinorin A is not absorbed in the
gastrointestinal tract when taken orally, since it doesn't dissolve in aqueous solutions. From these animal studies one can
conclude that the emulsion of the compound allows regular peritoneal absorption. The same might be true if it were given
orally. Although not as potent as inhalation of the vaporized compound, the effects might last longer. Salvinorin B was inactive
in animal testing. It is much more polar than salvinorin A. A combination of its being less likely to cross membranes and lack
of a really good emulsion would account for these findings. It would not be surprising to find it active if vaporized and inhaled,
but it would probably only be effective at much higher doses than salvinorin A.
The foliage of S. divinorum is prepared in various manners for use as a psychotropic agent. The dried leaves may be smoked
like marijuana joints. Taking five or six rapid deep inhalations from one cigarette produces an effect similar to that of
marijuana or taking the Salvia infusion. It has a duration of one to two hours (Ott 1993; Díaz 1975). The fresh leaves may be
chewed and retained in the mouth. Blosser collected a strain of S. divinorum with leaves that are much less bitter than normal.
His Mazatec informants made a "quid" of four to five pair of these fresh leaves and retained the juices in the mouth, which was
more effective than ingesting them. This has been confirmed by other investigators, who have used the normal bitter strains.
They state that the duration of such visions is from one to two hours (Siebert In press; Blosser 1993; Ott 1993).
The Mazatec most often take S. divinorum by eating the fresh leaves, or preparing an infusion from fresh foliage that has been
crushed by hand or ground on a metate (a flat stone utensil). The effects of ingesting the leaves or imbibing the infusion are
reported to be identical. Doses are similar, from 5 to 80 pairs of leaves. When taking fewer than 20 pairs, activity may be
perceived to be minimal or non-existent. It is essential to understand that effects are readily offset by light and noise. Not
taking this into consideration often leads the experimenter to believe that there are no effects or that they are mild and of short
duration (Foster 1984; Valdés 1983; Hofmann 1980; Wasson 1978, 1963, 1962).
Field work has shown that under these necessary conditions of quiet and darkness, intense and long-lasting visions do occur
(Valdés et al. 1987; Valdés, Díaz & Paul 1983; Valdés 1983). As part of a research project, and under the guidance of Don
Alejandro and Filipe Vicente, the present author twice drank the infusion prepared from S. divinorum leaves; taking it also was
Dr. José L. Díaz; Ara Paul observed. The Mazatecs ingest psychotropic plants only under certain ritualized circumstances. In
this case, the Salvia potion was given to "study" the plant and become healers. Before each session Don Alejandro would
spend the late afternoon and early evening relating tales of Mazatec curing and mythology (Incháustegui 1977). About 8:00 pm
he prepared the infusion by crushing the leaves in water as described above. After it was made, it had a good head of foam,
which he said was an indication of strength. He then offered ceremonial prayers for each of us asking God and various Saints,
as well as Mary (the patroness of the Salvia) to reveal the arts of healing and the medicinal herbs. The curandero spent an hour
describing in detail the journey to heaven, the personages to ben encountered and the things to be seen. He told us not to be
afraid, and emphasized that we had to speak out our visions (Wasson et al. 1974). Afterwards, we were to follow a special
"diet" for four days to two weeks. Just before we took the preparation he performed a limpia (ritual cleansing) with piciete (a
mixture of tobacco and lime) and incense. This was for protection on our journey and to help us in our learning. The first time
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