Quick Links: Salvia Divinorum, Is My Teen Using Salvia? | Salvia Divinorum and Teens Resources | Teen Drug Use
The herbal drug Salvia is gaining popularity with teens as a legal way to get high. It is readily available on the Internet where it is advertised as "a harmless, yet powerful hallucinogen."
Facts About Salvia Drug Use
Salvia Divinorum is a plant with hallucinogenic properties that is native to Mexico. Slang terms for Salvia include Mexican Mint, Diviners Sage, Magic Mint and Ska Pastora.
In Mexico, Shaman use this potent herb for healing rituals because it induces visions for the user. Salvia is currently legal in many states, including California, but is illegal in others. The herb, which looks similar to marijuana, is smoked, chewed or ingested as a liquid.
Reported effects from using Salvia include:
- Vivid visions
- Distortion of time in the mind of the user
- Impaired coordination
- Intense laughter
- Difficulties speaking
- Bringing up past memories
- A sense of becoming one with other objects
- Panic/ feelings of anxiety
- Sad/depressed feelings
As with all teen efforts at getting high, even when using legal substances such as Salvia or nutmeg, the specific effects depend on numerous factors to include the amount taken, the potency, how it is ingested and individual emotional or physical problems.
Problems With Teens Using Salvia
As with all teen drug use, the potential risks are significant.
- Salvia is a potent hallucinogen. Teens who experiment with it are at risk of having a mild altering experience that is frightening or emotionally overwhelming.
- Mental health problems such as depression or anxiety can worsen with the use of drugs, especially hallucinogens.
- If used in a situation where altered perceptions could be dangerous, such as skateboarding or driving, teens put themselves at even greater risk.
- Teens who experiment with mind-altering substances may be trying to self-medicate feelings or problems they don't want to deal with.
- The abuse of any drug can lead to a teen developing serious drug problems.
The fact that Salvia is currently considered legal in some states doesn't make it any less dangerous than illegal drugs. Particularly for teens with emotional or behavioral problems, experimenting with a mind-altering substance can have serious, long-lasting negative consequences. Talk to your teen about facts on Salvia. If you have concerns about your teens' use of any drug, seek help from a teen drug program.
Quick Links: Salvia Divinorum, Is My Teen Using Salvia? | Salvia Divinorum and Teens Resources | Teen Drug Use