Hey friend,

There I sat, pipe in hand, brimming with the world’s most potent natural psychedelic…

I hesitated, unsure where this entheogenic herb would take me. I took a deep breath, exhaled, and steadied my nerves.

The wave of anxiety passed and I ripped the bowl like a pro, held it in, and within seconds, reality began to warp.

Suddenly, a force pressed against me—reality folded in on itself, sucking me into a portal to another dimension.

I erupted with laughter and couldn't stop giggling!

After what felt like an eternity, I surfaced for a brief moment.

And peering through a kaleidoscope of hallucinations, I could faintly depict my friends sitting before me—their faces morphed into box stores like Walmart, Safeway, and Home Depot.

I'm still not sure what that was about…

And that, my friend, was my first trip with Salvia divinorum—aka Diviner's Sage.

The strangest plant medicine on Earth: Salvia divinorum

What is it?

Salvia divinorum, from the mint family (Lamiaceae), is a very unique sage variety—not the kind you’d use on roast chicken. Smoke it and it’ll blast you into another dimension!

It has been used by the Mazatec people of Oaxaca, Mexico for spiritual and divinatory purposes, though its traditional use is less widespread than ayahuasca or peyote. [1]

This humble mint, Salvia divinorum, contains one of the most potent plant-based psychedelic alkaloids known to man—Salvinorin A.

How does it work?

Salvinorin A, the highest concentrated active ingredient, is considered one of the most potent natural hallucinogens, with psychoactive effects starting at just 200 micrograms—that's 25 times stronger than magic mushrooms!

It differs greatly from serotonergic psychedelics like psilocybin, LSD, and ayahuasca (DMT), which affect serotonin receptors (5-HT2A).

Instead, it binds to and activates the central nervous system's kappa-opioid receptors (KOR). [2]

KOR activation is associated with dysphoria, altered perception, and unique hallucinatory experiences, often distinct from those induced by serotonergic psychedelics.

This mechanism results in the vivid, dream-like, and often disorienting effects of salvia.

What does it feel like?

When smoked, the salvia experience is brief—just 10-15 minutes—but its effects are bizarre, inducing intense, cartoon-like hallucinations and reality shifts. [3]

Here are the most commonly reported effects:

• Powerful closed- and open-eye visuals
• Pressure on the body
• Increases in sensual and aesthetic appreciation
• Dream-like experiences
• Revisiting childhood memories
• Emotional shifts—from happy, to sad, to angry
• A sensation of entering or perceiving other dimensions, or alternate realities
• Contact with entities

Traditional use vs modern use

These days, many are seeking extreme reality shifts—likely as a way to break free from the "matrix" we're all caught in. Salvia divinorum is one plant that's getting the job done.

Once used in ceremonial rituals, Salvia is now available in potent extracts. The modern-day version is far removed from its traditional use, with Salvinorin A isolated, concentrated, and reapplied to plant material for smoking or vaporizing.

Potency levels range from 5X to a staggering 100-200X! It's wild! And people are ripping it out of bongs…

Granted, my first Salvia divinorum experience was smoking (that's all I knew), but the traditional Mazatec method didn't involve smoking it at all.

Instead, they chewed it like tobacco—called quidding. [4]

It’s a gentler approach, and it’s now the only method I use when communing with the Diviner’s Sage.

What is the Quid Method?

A “quid” refers to a bundle of fresh or rehydrated Salvia leaves that are folded or rolled into a ball and placed in the mouth, usually between the cheek and gums.

The leaves are chewed lightly to release the active compound, Salvinorin A, which is absorbed through the oral mucosa (the lining of the mouth).

How It Works:

1. Prepare the Leaves: Use fresh leaves or rehydrate dried leaves by soaking them in water for a few minutes. Roll them into a small bundle or "quid".
2. Place in Mouth: Hold the quid between the cheek and gums.
3. Chew Lightly: Chew occasionally to release the juice but avoid swallowing it immediately. Salvinorin A is absorbed sublingually and buccally (under the tongue and through the cheek).
4. Hold for 10–20 Minutes: Keep the leaves in the mouth for about 20 minutes to maximize absorption. [5]

Effects of the Quid Method:

• Onset: Slower than smoking, with effects beginning around 10–15 minutes after starting.
• Duration: Effects last longer than smoking, typically 1–2 hours. [3,6]
• Experience: The effects are usually milder and more introspective compared to the intense and rapid onset of smoking.

Benefits of the Quid Method:

• Gentler Experience: Provides a smoother and more gradual experience.
• Cultural Significance: Reflects traditional Mazatec practices, where Salvia leaves were used ceremonially.
• No Combustion: Avoids the harshness and risks associated with smoking.

In the grand scheme—Salvia divinorum, especially when smoked, isn't the most enjoyable psychedelic (though chewing it is better).

In fact, Salvia divinorum has a low abuse potential because many users report feeling aversive towards its effects [7], with some disliking the experience altogether! [8]

However, while it might not be a choice psychedelic, there are other reasons to explore it beyond its bizarre effects.

Emerging research on its therapeutic potential is worth noting…

Medicinal properties of Salvia divinorum

With the growing interest in psychedelics, research into the therapeutic properties of Salvia divinorum is also gaining attention.

I won’t dive deep here (more on that in a future newsletter), but here are some of the latest medicinal findings:

• Antidepressant and anti-anxiety effects [9, 0]
• Neuroprotection and cognitive enhancement [11,12]
• Treatment of drug dependence (especially cocaine [13,14] and opioid addiction)
• Pain relieving and anti-inflammatory effects [15]

Even though salvia is extremely potent it is considered very safe and poses very little harm to the body—there have been no reported cases of overdose or toxicity.

The only concern is that given the intense out-of-body experiences it can induce, it's crucial to prioritize your set (mindset) and setting (environment) before the experience.

And while Salvia is legal in many places, including most of the U.S., be sure to check local laws, as some states have criminalized it.

As always, stay safe and have a good trip!

I'm curious, have you heard of Salvia divinorum? Have you ever experienced its profound psychedelic effects?

Hit reply and let me know (I'll be checking my email throughout the day, so feel free to reach out if you'd like to chat about the Diviner's Sage).

See you next Saturday,

Onjae

P.S. If you're looking for my top source for Salvia divinorum, particularly for therapeutic use with the Quid Method, check out my Psychedelic Sourcing Bundle!

References:

[1] Faudree, Paja. “"Making Medicine" with Salvia divinorum: Competing Approaches and Their Implications.” Medical anthropology vol. 39,7 (2020): 582-596. doi:10.1080/01459740.2020.1814772

[2] Johnson, Matthew W et al. “Human psychopharmacology and dose-effects of salvinorin A, a kappa opioid agonist hallucinogen present in the plant Salvia divinorum.” Drug and alcohol dependence vol. 115,1-2 (2011): 150-5. doi:10.1016/j.drugalcdep.2010.11.005

[3] Siebert, D J. “Salvia divinorum and salvinorin A: new pharmacologic findings.” Journal of ethnopharmacology vol. 43,1 (1994): 53-6. doi:10.1016/0378-8741(94)90116-3

[4] González, Débora et al. “Pattern of use and subjective effects of Salvia divinorum among recreational users.” Drug and alcohol dependence vol. 85,2 (2006): 157-62. doi:10.1016/j.drugalcdep.2006.04.001

[5] Baggott, Matthew J et al. “Use patterns and self-reported effects of Salvia divinorum: an internet-based survey.” Drug and alcohol dependence vol. 111,3 (2010): 250-6. doi:10.1016/j.drugalcdep.2010.05.003

[6] Dalgarno, Phil. “Subjective effects of Salvia divinorum.” Journal of psychoactive drugs vol. 39,2 (2007): 143-9. doi:10.1080/02791072.2007.10399872

[7] Ranganathan, Mohini et al. “Dose-related behavioral, subjective, endocrine, and psychophysiological effects of the κ opioid agonist Salvinorin A in humans.” Biological psychiatry vol. 72,10 (2012): 871-9. doi:10.1016/j.biopsych.2012.06.012

[8] Khey, David N et al. “Salvia divinorum use among a college student sample.” Journal of drug education vol. 38,3 (2008): 297-306. doi:10.2190/DE.38.3.g

[9] Braida, Daniela et al. “Potential anxiolytic- and antidepressant-like effects of salvinorin A, the main active ingredient of Salvia divinorum, in rodents.” British journal of pharmacology vol. 157,5 (2009): 844-53. doi:10.1111/j.1476-5381.2009.00230.x

[10] Listos, Joanna et al. “Pharmacological activity of salvinorin A, the major component of Salvia divinorum.” Pharmacological reports : PR vol. 63,6 (2011): 1305-9. doi:10.1016/s1734-1140(11)70694-6

[11] Sheffler, Douglas J, and Bryan L Roth. “Salvinorin A: the "magic mint" hallucinogen finds a molecular target in the kappa opioid receptor.” Trends in pharmacological sciences vol. 24,3 (2003): 107-9. doi:10.1016/S0165-6147(03)00027-0

[12] Roth, Bryan L et al. “Salvinorin A: a potent naturally occurring nonnitrogenous kappa opioid selective agonist.” Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America vol. 99,18 (2002): 11934-9. doi:10.1073/pnas.182234399

[13] Kivell, Bronwyn M et al. “Salvinorin A analogs and other κ-opioid receptor compounds as treatments for cocaine abuse.” Advances in pharmacology (San Diego, Calif.) vol. 69 (2014): 481-511. doi:10.1016/B978-0-12-420118-7.00012-3

[14] Simonson, B et al. “Pharmacology and anti-addiction effects of the novel κ opioid receptor agonist Mesyl Sal B, a potent and long-acting analogue of salvinorin A.” British journal of pharmacology vol. 172,2 (2015): 515-31. doi:10.1111/bph.12692

[15] Coffeen, Ulises, and Francisco Pellicer. “Salvia divinorum: from recreational hallucinogenic use to analgesic and anti-inflammatory action.” Journal of pain research vol. 12 1069-1076. 22 Mar. 2019, doi:10.2147/JPR.S188619