Salvia, or Salvia divinorum, is an herbal mint plant and a naturally occurring hallucinogen that is native to Mexico.
Mazatec Indians have used salvia for centuries for spiritual divination, shamanism, and medical practices.
Mazatec shamans brew a tea from the leaves and drink the vision-inducing mixture during religious ceremonies.
The Mazatec also roll fresh salvia leaves into a cigar-like “quid” and suck or chew it without swallowing, absorbing the drug through the mouth lining.
Recreational users may inhale the drug through water pipes, smoke it in cigarettes, or chew the leaves while holding the juice inside the cheek.
People usually experience the most intense effects within 2 minutes after smoking, lasting for less than 20 minutes.
Salvia’s active ingredient is salvinorin A, a kappa opioid receptor (KOR) agonist, which plays a key role in regulating human perception.
Once swallowed, the gastrointestinal system deactivates salvinorin A, so users absorb it through mucous membranes.