Salvinorin A: Difference between revisions

'''Salvinorin A''' is the main active psychoactive molecule within [[Salvia divinorum (botany)|''salvia divinorum'']], a Mexican plant which has a long history of use as an [[entheogen]] by indigenous Mazatec shamans. It is structurally distinct from other naturally occurring [[hallucinogens]] (such as [[DMT]], [[psilocin]] and [[mescaline]]) because it contains no nitrogen atoms; which is why it is a [[Chemical class::terpenoid]] and not an [[alkaloid]] and cannot be rendered as a salt.  

It also differs in subjective experience compared to other [[Psychoactive class::hallucinogen]]s, and has been described as an atypical [[dissociative]] although this formal classification is debatable.

Salvinorin A is a neoclerodane molecule, an oxygenated cyclic diterpenoid. It contains four isoprene groups bound to its oxygenated polycyclic rings. Salvinorin A is unique as it is not an alkaloid; it contains no nitrogen atoms unlike classical, natural, or synthetic hallucinogens.

Salvinorin A is a potent [[Opioid#Kappa_.28.CE.BA.29|κ-opioid]] receptor [[agonist]]. It does not have any effect on the 5-HT_2A receptor, the receptor targeted by most [[psychedelic]] drugs, nor does it function as an NMDA receptor antagonist as most dissociatives do. Its unique structure lacks features commonly associated with opioid ligand binding, namely it doesn't contain a quaternary carbon atom linked to a tertiary amine group by two other carbon atoms. Unlike traditional opioid agonists, salvinorin A targets the [[Opioid#Kappa_.28.CE.BA.29|κ-opioid]] receptor rather than the [[Opioid#Mu_.28.CE.BC.29|μ-opioid]] receptor. Salvinorin A is currently being researched in relation to its properties as an anti-addiction drug, and several analogs with improved pharmacokinetic profiles have been shown to have anti-addictive effects as well.<ref>http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/24484985</ref>

However, the role of these interactions and how they result in a [[hallucinogen]]ic experience continues to remain elusive.

===Physical effects===

*'''[[Effect::Changes in gravity]]''' - The most prominent physical sensation of a salvinorin A trip is known by many people as “salvia gravity.” This is at least partially present during the mildest of trips and increases proportionally with dose until it is all-encompassing. It begins with a heavy sensation that pulls and tugs at the body. As this increases, it inevitably becomes so powerful that it swiftly lifts the tripper up and out of their body at extremely high speeds and over vast distances in a direction that often doesn't quite make sense. This feels as if the user is being pushed or pulled into a space vastly different from anything found on the classic hallucinogens.

*'''[[Effect::Spontaneous physical sensations]]''' - For some unlucky people, this is sometimes accompanied by the sensation of intense, sharp and cold pins and needles all over a person's skin which can quickly become very uncomfortable. Most people, however, will never experience this feeling.

*'''[[Effect::Motor control loss|Motor control loss (''Ataxia'')]]'''

 

 

 

*'''[[Effect::Language suppression]]'''

*'''[[Effect::Laughter]]''' - The average first time salvia user generally experiences a mixture of extreme giggles and confusion.

===Visual effects===

*'''[[Effect::Internal hallucinations]]''' - The imagery on salvia is described as more solid than psychedelics and does not seem to be composed of condensed visual [[geometry]] as with the imagery found within psychedelics. It is often embedded within and across structures which often become solid fractal representations of the original image. At higher doses, this particular effect commonly contains a full array of hallucinations with [[Scenarios and plots|plots, scenarios]], [[Settings, sceneries, and landscapes|settings]] and [[autonomous entity]] contact. They can be described as both lucid and delirious in their believability, fixed in style and often ominous or sinister in nature. A unique aspect to the hallucinatory scenarios found within salvia are how commonly they are manifested with a 2nd person perspective in comparison to other classes of hallucinogens. This is commonly described as suddenly becoming a random object with common examples often including a conveyor belt, a wall, a book or a specific part of a building.

===Auditory effects===

===Multi-sensory effects===

At the present moment, the scientific literature is currently classing salvinorin A as a [[hallucinogen]] and it has been referred in varying contexts as either solely a [[dissociative]] or an atypical dissociative with some [[psychedelic]] and even [[deliriant|delirious]] qualities.{{citation needed}}

 

Although salvia shares states of hallucinatory structures and out-of-body experiences commonly reported with typical dissociatives ([[NMDA receptor antagonist]]s), this is arguably not sufficient so that it falls under the same classification. For example, the hallucinatory structures (although similar) are vastly different in their style and complexity. Alongside of this, the out-of-body experiences commonly reported with dissociatives are presumed to be triggered by the way in which NMDA receptor antagonists block signals to the conscious mind from other parts of the brain. This is accompanied by a distinctive feeling of dissociation, disconnection and detachment which is not present on salvia as it works on an entirely different set of receptors, the function of which in the human brain is almost entirely unknown.{{citation needed}}

 

The effects of salvia have a subjectively unique style and pharmacology that is not found within any other category of [[hallucinogen]], this has led many within the [[psychonaut]] community assert that it deserves recognition for falling into an entirely new class of its own. Any compound within this subjective and pharmacological class could potentially be referred to as a "salviagenic". This would also include various other similar analogues such as [[Salvinorin B methoxymethyl ether|Salvinorin B]] and many others.<ref>

 

==Salvia divinorum==

'''''Salvia divinorum''''' (also known as '''Diviner's Sage''', '''Ska María Pastora''', '''Seer's Sage''', and by its genus name '''''Salvia''''') is a psychoactive plant which is a potent producer of "visions" and other hallucinatory experiences. Its native habitat is within Cloud Forest in the isolated Sierra Mazateca of Oaxaca, Mexico where it grows in shady and moist locations. The plant grows to over a meter high and has hollow square stems, large leaves, and occasional white flowers with violet calyxes. {{citation needed}}

===Forms of salvia divinorum===

====='''Fresh leaf'''=====

The fresh leaf is typically used for making a quid of leaves and is held under the tongue for [[Routes of administration#Sublingual|sublingual absorption]]. Fresh leaf is preferred for sublingual absorption because it doesn't break up in one's mouth and is easier to chew.

====='''Dried leaf'''=====

Dried leaf is usually prepared by simply taking the leaf and leaving it out in the sun. The leaf can also be dried in the oven at about 150 degrees Fahrenheit for however long it takes until it becomes crispy. Dried salvia leaf is used for smoking. If one plans to use dried leaf for a quid, they should soak them in water for at least ten minutes otherwise [[Routes of administration#Sublingual|sublingual administration]] can become highly unpleasant. Soaking the dried leaf in water can also cause it to lose potency.

*'''Light -''' 0.25&nbsp;g

*'''Common -''' 0.5&nbsp;g

*'''Strong -''' 0.75&ndash;1.00&nbsp;g

The toxicity and long-term health effects of recreational salvinorin A use do not seem to have been studied in any scientific context and the exact [[Toxicity::toxic dose is unknown]]. This is because salvinorin A is a [[research chemical]] with very little history of human usage. Anecdotal evidence from people within the psychonaut community who have tried salvinorin A suggests that there are no negative health effects attributed to simply trying the drug by itself at low to moderate doses and using it very sparingly (but nothing can be completely guaranteed). [https://www.google.com/ Independent research] should always be done to ensure that a combination of two or more substances is safe before consumption.

Due to its unusually potent and debilitating psychoactivity, it is strongly recommended that one use [[responsible drug use|harm reduction practices]] when using this drug.

==Legality==

==Preparation methods==

Preparation methods for this compound within our [[tutorial index]] include:

* [[Hot water extraction from dried Salvia Divinorum leaves]]

*[[Psychedelics]]

*[[Dissociatives]]

*[http://www.bluelight.org/vb/threads/359879-The-Big-amp-Dandy-Salvia-Thread-Second-iteration Salvia (Bluelight)]

*[http://factsheet.tripsit.me/salvia Salvia (TripSit)]

==Literature==

* Johnson MW, Maclean KA, Reissig CJ, Prisinzano TE, Griffiths RR. (2010) Human psychopharmacology and dose-effects of salvinorin A, a kappa opioid agonist hallucinogen present in the plant Salvia divinorum. Drug Alcohol Depend. 2010 Dec 4.

* Mendelson JE, Coyle JR, Lopez JC, Baggott MJ, Flower K, Everhart ET, Munro TA, Galloway GP, Cohen BM. (2010). Lack of effect of sublingual salvinorin A, a naturally occurring kappa opioid, in humans: a placebo-controlled trial. Psychopharmacology (Berl). 2010 Dec 8. [Epub ahead of print]  

[[Category:Psychoactive substance]]

[[Category:Entheogen]]