Salvia

Researchers are studying salvia to learn exactly how it acts in the brain to produce its effects. What is currently known is that salvinorin A, the main active ingredient in salvia, changes the way the brain works by changing the way nerve cells communicate. Nerve cells, called neurons, send messages to each other by releasing chemicals called neurotransmitters. Salvia affects this signaling process.

Salvinorin A attaches to parts of nerve cells called kappa opioid receptors. (Note: These receptors are different from the ones involved with opioid drugs like heroin and morphine.)

Learn more about how the brain works and what happens when a person uses drugs. And check out how the brain responds to natural rewards and to drugs. 

Short-Term Effects

Salvia’s effects usually appear in less than 1 minute and last less than 30 minutes. Short-term effects can include:

• intense hallucinations (seeing or feeling things that aren’t really there)
• mixed senses (such as "seeing" sounds or "hearing" colors)
• feelings of detachment (disconnected from one’s environment)
• mood swings
• sweating

There also are reports of people losing contact with reality—being unable to tell the difference between what’s real and what’s not. Many of these effects raise concern about the dangers of driving under the influence of salvia.

The long-term effects of salvia have not been fully studied.

It is not clear if there have been any deaths associated with salvia. However, because we do not know all of salvia’s effects, it is a drug that public health experts are watching carefully.

It’s not clear if using salvia leads to addiction. More studies are needed to learn whether it has addictive properties.

The chart below shows the percentage of teens who say they use salvia.

Explore teen substance use trends over time, by grade and substance with an interactive chart featuring Monitoring the Future data from 2016 to present. 

If you, or a friend, are in crisis and need to speak with someone now: 

• Call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-TALK (they don't just talk about suicide—they cover a lot of issues and will help put you in touch with someone close by)

If you want to help a friend, you can:

• Share resources from this site, including this page.
• Point your friend to NIDA's Step by Step Guide for Teens and Young Adults.
• Encourage your friend to speak with a trusted adult.

If a friend is using drugs, you might have to step away from the friendship for a while. It is important to protect your own mental health and not put yourself in situations where drugs are being used.

For more information on how to help a friend or loved one, visit our Have a Drug Problem, Need Help? page.

Drug Facts

• Commonly Used Drugs Chart
• DrugFacts: Hallucinogens

Statistics and Trends  

• Monitoring the Future 
• National Survey on Drug Use and Health [Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration]