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Salvinorin A (1) |
Salvinorin B (2) |
Journal of Psychoactive drugs 26 (3) (1994): 277-283
Abstract - Salvia divinorum is a vision inducing mint used by the Mazatec people
of Oaxaca, Mexico. It is grown in California and other parts of the USA where it
is employed as a legal hallucinogen. Traditional opinion has been that the plant
has mild psychotropic activity, at best. However, when ingested in the correct
manner, it is quite powerful. The fresh leaves are chewed as a quid and kept in
the mouth. They may also be eaten raw or prepared as an aqueous infusion. When
dried, they are smoked in the manner of marijuana. The neoclerodane diterpene,
salvinorin A (also known as divinorin A), has been demonstrated in animals and
humans to be its major active ingredient. Essentially inactive if taken orally,
the compound is effective in doses of 200 to 500 mcg when smoked in a manner
similar to cocaine free base. This makes salvinorin A the first documented
diterpene hallucinogen and the most potent naturally occurring hallucinogen thus
far isolated. This is somewhat remarkable, since the compound is not an
alkaloid. The article reviews the use of S. divinorum and its chemistry. It
discusses the effects of the plant and salvinorin A in animals and humans, as
well as their potentials to become drugs of abuse.
Keywords - diterpene, divinorin A, hallucinogen, Salvia divinorum, salvinorin A
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*SMP Research, P.O. Box 7705, Ann Arbor, Michigan 48107-7705
The author would like to thank Daniel Siebert, of the Ethnobotanical Research
Institute, for making his manuscript on the effects of S. divinorum and
salvinorin A available. I would also like to thank everyone cited with personal
communications. I will forever owe Don Alejandro and Felipe and their families.
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Salvinorin A (1) |
Salvinorin B (2) |
FIG. 1 - STRUCTURES OF SALVINORINS (DIVINORINS) A (1) AND B (2)
While conducting research on Mexican morning glories and hallucinogenic
mushrooms (Schultes & Hofmann 1980), Wasson and Hofmann collected a psychotropic
member of the Lamiaceae (Labiatae) or mint family in the state of Oaxaca,
Mexico. They brought it to the United States, where it was identified as a new
species, Salvia divinorum (Wasson 1963, 1962; Epling & Játiva-M. 1962). One of
some 700 New World species of the genus Salvia, this plant is known to its
Mazatec Indian users as Ska María Pastora or las hojas de la María Pastora (the
leaves of Mary, the Shepherdess). In field studies, the present author was
fortunate to work with Don Alejandro Vicente, a true maestro of curanderos
(healers), and his son, Felipe, who translated between Spanish and Mazatec. They
lived in the lowlands of eastern Oaxaca, and one had to travel to the mountains,
Cerro Rabón or Cerro Quemado, where the plant grows, in order to collect its
leaves.
S. divinorum is used by Mazatec curanderos for its hallucinogenic effects. They
believe it allows them to travel to heaven and talk to God and the Saints about
divination, diagnosis, and healing. It is reputed to be weaker than both the
morning glory seeds and the various species of mushrooms. Thus, it is often the
first of the three psychotropic plants employed in the training of future
shamans. In addition to being used as an hallucinogen, it is also given in low
doses for what may be interpreted as placebo effects. The fresh leaves may be
chewed as a quid (Blosser 1993), eaten or prepared as an infusion (Wasson 1962).
Don Alejandro indicated that a psychotropic dose consists of an extremely bitter
infusion prepared from 20 to 80 pairs (counting is always done by pairs) of
fresh leaves. A "placebo" dose is prepared from 4 to 5 pairs of fresh or dry
leaves. The lower dose is to alleviate the sick or dying, cure "anemia,"
regulate excretory functions and treat a swelling of the belly called panzón de
barrego (sic), "a sheep's belly" caused by a shaman's curse. Detailed field
descriptions of this work with S. divinorum have appeared elsewhere as well as
reviews of all previous ethnological reports (Valdés 1987; Valdés, Díaz & Paul
1983; Valdés 1983).
CHEMICAL INVESTIGATIONS OF SALVIA DIVINORUM
After discovering the active principles of the morning glories (lysergic acid
amide derivatives) and mushrooms (psilocybin and psilocin), Hofmann turned to
the study of S. divinorum. However, his chemical and pharmacological
investigations were unsuccessful and he stated that the active principle was
apparently unstable (Hofmann 1964, 1980; Schultes & Hofmann 1980). Díaz and
colleagues studied the mint extensively, but had limited success in the chemical
aspects of their research (Díaz 1979, 1975). In 1980, a bioassay-directed
investigation of the plant was undertaken. The assay was based on the behavior
of mice in the open field, which has been employed to test compounds for
psychotropic activity (Brimblecombe & Greene 1962). This study used rats in the
open field, which was modified for mice in the S. divinorum study. An aqueous
infusion of the fresh leaves was prepared, using the open field to test the
various fractions and extracts for activity. Eventually, an impure active
compound was isolated via preparative thin-layer chromatography (TLC). Obtaining
it from the infusion was extremely inefficient and it was found that
lyophilizing (freeze-drying) the leaves and extracting them as explained below
gave much better yields. The active compound turned out to be a new
furanolactone neoclerodane diterpene which was named divinorin A (1); its
inactive desacetyl derivative, divinorin B (2), was also isolated (Valdés et al.
1984; Valdés 1983). As the results were being prepared for publication, Ortega,
Blount & Marchand (1982) reported the isolation of a compound (no biological
activity was mentioned in their paper) they called salvinorin, which turned out
to be identical to divinorin A. Therefore, divinorins A and B should be known as
salvinorins A (1) and B (2), respectively (see Figure 1).
Testing of salvinorin A in the open field indicated it had activity and potency
similar to that of mescaline. Originally both compounds appeared to exhibit
sedative activity in the modified open field (Valdés et al. 1987; Valdés et al.
1984; Valdés 1983). However, further testing and comparison of the two compounds
to amphetamine, secobarbital, forskolin, and cannabis extract has allowed a
different interpretation of the experimental results: amphetamine stimulated the
mice; secobarbital, forskolin and the cannabis extract had strong sedating
effects, and, at higher doses, the animals lost their righting reflex (the
ability to right themselves if turned on their side or upside down). Mescaline,
salvinorin A and isosalvinorin A - the 8-epimer of salvinorin A (Valdés et al.
1984) - interrupted (decreased) animal activity without an accompanying true
sedation, as the mice could be readily stimulated to move rapidly for short
periods by sharp noises or light touching. They maintained their righting reflex
at all dose levels of the three compounds (from 3.2 to 100 mg/kg). Loliolide (Valdés
1986) was isolated from S. divinorum and the absolute stereochemistry of the
salvinorins was unambiguously determined using the non-empirical exciton
chirality circular dichroism method on their 1,2-diol dibenzoate tetrahydrofuran
derivative (Koreeda, Brown & Valdés 1990).
SALVIA DIVINORUM AND SALVINORIN A AS POTENTIAL DRUGS OF ABUSE
Until recently, S. divinorum was considered to be a plant with low abuse
potential. The large number of fresh leaves needed and the bitterness of the
prepared infusion tend to discourage all but the most intrepid users. The
effects of the potion have been reported to be from mild to nearly nonexistent,
but field observations in Oaxaca demonstrated that intense and long-lasting
visions do occur (Valdés 1983; Valdés, Díaz & Paul 1983). Some Mazatecs, as well
as non-native experimenters, chew a coca-like "quid" of the fresh leaves which
induces strong and persistent visions (Siebert In press; Blosser 1993; Ott
1993). Although the Mazatecs use only fresh leaves for visionary experiences,
the dried leaves retain activity and are smoked by marijuana users and others in
Mexico and the U.S. The effect has been reported to be either like that of
marijuana or of taking the infusion (Ott 1993; Díaz 1975). The plant has been
described as the entheogen (hallucinogen) par excellence (Ott 1993).
There are two inaccuracies about S. divinorum that are fixed in the literature.
It was identified by Wasson (1963) as possibly being the ancient Aztec narcotic
plant pipiltzintzintli and this has been perpetuated until the present (Ott
1993; Foster 1984; Anon. 1973). It has been demonstrated that either marijuana
or one of various species of morning glories are better candidates for being the
unknown Aztec plant. From the descriptions quoted by Aguirre Beltrán (1973) it
is obvious that pipiltzintzintli cannot be S. divinorum and even Wasson,
himself, later doubted his own hypothesis (Valdés 1987; Díaz 1979). When Wasson
and Hofmann first acquired S. divinorum, it was brought to them by a curandera,
and they were not allowed to go to the location where it actually grew. From
early statements made by Wasson (1963; 1962), it has been surmised that the
plant is a cultigen which exists only in a few Mazatec gardens, and the Mazatecs
consider the plant to be foreign to their region (Ott 1993). Don Alejandro
informed us that the plant grows wild in the fairly inaccessible highlands of
the Sierra Mazateca. It is brought by Mazatec shamans to the lower mountain
regions, planted, and left to "grow wild" near the villages where they live.
During field-collecting expeditions, it was seen growing freely over a huge area
for a couple hundred meters along the side of a creek in a small ravine. It was
also scattered throughout a cafetal (coffee plantation). The plants were
blooming, and there were remains of flowering spikes, but no seeds. This
indicated the stands were probably monoclonal and apparently originally started
by humans. However, in neither location was there any sign of cultivation of the
mint. A search of specimens in the herbarium at the University of Mexico did not
indicate that any were collected from sites where they were being cultivated.
Díaz has made similar observations (Valdés et. al. 1987; Díaz 1975; Valdés
1983).
Plants of S. divinorum being grown in the USA do not readily set seed (Grubber
1973), probably because most are from a single clone. However, Don Alejandro
stated that the ska María Pastora in the highlands did make seeds. Limited
cross-pollination experiments were attempted, in which seeds were produced, but
an overheating growth chamber killed them (Valdés et al. 1987). Recently Siebert
(1994) indicated that he harvested viable seeds at the Botanical Dimensions
Gardens in Hawaii. These sprouted 3 weeks after planting, and are growing very
slowly. The mint is easily propagated from cuttings (Anon. 1994; Valdés, 1987;
Foster 1984; Grubber 1973). When Wasson and Hofmann received it in 1962, they
brought back living plants which were acquisitioned by the UCLA Botanical
Gardens (Emboden 1980; Verity 1980). In 1980 and 1981 the present author
collected it in Mexico and recently Blosser (1993) returned with specimens of a
less bitter strain of the plant. Clones of these plants are being grown
throughout California and other parts of the United States. Up until now it has
been possible to produce enough S. divinorum at home, and in greenhouses, for
extensive research (Koreeda, Brown & Valdés 1990; Valdés et al. 1987; Valdés,
1986, Valdés et al. 1984; Valdés 1983). Having 80 to 100 twelve inch pots (5
cuttings/pot) arranged quincuncially in an area of 4 x 4 m (12 ft by 12 ft),
indoors (on benches under normal cool-white fluorescent lighting) or outdoors,
can yield well over 1 kg per month of dried leaves once the plants are
established (about 2 to 3 months). When the mint is growing rapidly, it can
provide several cuttings per week. Cultivated outdoors, the plant resembles many
others and is somewhat difficult to identify (it took 20 years to find out it
was a new Salvia species). Its characteristics are its white flowers with
persistent purplish calyces and spikes, which occur for about a week or two
between late October and early March. It also has square stems and opposite
leaves, like those of many other mints. S. divinorum is available commercially,
possession is not controlled, and there is a market for the plant (Anon. 1994;
Ott 1993; Foster 1984). Lay publications are available which describe its use as
a hallucinogen (Ott 1993; Anon. 1972) and give instructions for cultivation
(Foster 1984; Grubber 1973). TLC comparisons of extracts from leaves collected
in Mexico compared to those harvested in Michigan and Louisiana showed all were
essentially identical as to salvinorin A content, so there appear to be no great
geographical differences in plant chemistry.
Salvinorin A is quite stable and drying leaves under normal conditions doesn't
affect yields. With care about 1.50 g of pure salvinorin A per kg of air-dried
S. divinorum leaves (about 8 kg fresh leaves)can be isolated. Open field testing
indicated that the diterpene had a potency equivalent to that of mescaline. A
human dose of mescaline ranges from 0.2 to 0.6 gm (Schultes & Hofmann 1980), so
it was concluded that 1 kg of dried leaves yielded only 3 to 6 human doses of
salvinorin A and, therefore, it had little potential for widespread abuse.
Recently, however, Siebert stated that vaporizing and inhaling 200 to 500 mcg of
the compound induces profound hallucinations. Higher doses may cause problems
(Siebert In press; Siebert 1994). This has been corroborated by others (Ott
1994; Blosser 1993). It is apparent that salvinorin A is an extremely potent
hallucinogen. The compound is the first diterpene to be confirmed as one in
humans and it is also the most potent naturally occuring hallucinogen thus far
isolated. This is rather remarkable, considering that all major naturally
occuring hallucinogens have been alkaloidal in nature.
A particular problem with salvinorin A is that it is extremely potent and
readily isolated from dried plant leaves, if one follows the procedure properly
(Valdés et al. 1984). It was developed to maximize the yield of the diterpene
while minimizing chromatography. After extracting the dried leaves with ether in
a Soxhlet apparatus and partitioning the extract between hexane and aqueous
methanol, one has a fraction that is almost 10 % salvinorin A by weight when
dried. This procedure is so effective at concentrating the diterpene that the
crude compound often precipitates out of the aqueous methanol solution before
being subjected to chromatography. Ether is used to extract the plant material
because it has a low boiling point, but chloroform or methylene chloride will
serve as well for this initial extraction. Chromatography is used for final
purification of the compound because it is faster and gives higher yields than
repeated recrystallization of the precipitate. An underground chemist, however,
would not need to be so meticulous. There is no need for using a Soxhlet
apparatus and experimenting could lead to the use of commonly available solvents
for the extraction. Yields of even a gram per kilogram of dried leaves would
give one some 2000 human doses.
EXAMINATION OF THE EFFECTS OF SALVINORIN A AND SALVIA DIVINORUM
Salvinorin A is most effective when vaporized and inhaled. Siebert, in his
pioneering study on the effects of the diterpene in human volunteers, stated
that heating it on a piece of tinfoil and inhaling the vapors via the mouth
through a short glass pipe induces profound hallucinations. A dose of 200-500
mcg produces visions that last from 30 minutes to an hour or two, while doses
over 2 mg are effective for much longer. At doses greater than 500 mcg the
subject is often no longer aware of their surroundings and may enter an
uncontrollable delirium; they must be watched carefully (Siebert In press;
Siebert 1994). This method of dosing, smoking the compound in a short glass
pipe, as well as its potency have been corroborated by others (Ott 1994; Blosser
1993). Siebert also reported that encapsulated doses of salvinorin A up to 10 mg
taken orally were ineffective in his subjects. He tried spreading the compound
on the oral mucosa of the volunteers, but found absorption and effects to be
erratic (Siebert In press).
This is interesting, because testing of the compound in the open field indicated
it had the relatively low potency of mescaline. We found that salvinorin A was
insoluble in water; it had to be dissolved in corn oil and Tween-80 (a
surfactant) before adding water to make an emulsion. The emulsion had to be
shaken thoroughly before dosing each animal, as it would readily break (settle).
It was administered by intraperitoneal injection (3.2 to 100 mg/kg of salvinorin
A) and log-dose/response curves of measured behavioral parameters were
satisfactory (Valdés 1983). In toxicity studies mice were dosed at 1 g/kg of
salvinorin A (the limits of being able to make a serviceable preparation) and
observed them for a week. All animals survived and appeared unharmed, but they
were not autopsied (Valdés et al. 1987). It is obvious that salvinorin A is not
absorbed in the gastrointestinal tract when taken orally, since it doesn't
dissolve in aqueous solutions. From these animal studies one can conclude that
the emulsion of the compound allows regular peritoneal absorption. The same
might be true if it were given orally. Although not as potent as inhalation of
the vaporized compound, the effects might last longer. Salvinorin B was inactive
in animal testing. It is much more polar than salvinorin A. A combination of its
being less likely to cross membranes and lack of a really good emulsion would
account for these findings. It would not be surprising to find it active if
vaporized and inhaled, but it would probably only be effective at much higher
doses than salvinorin A.
The foliage of S. divinorum is prepared in various manners for use as a
psychotropic agent. The dried leaves may be smoked like marijuana joints. Taking
five or six rapid deep inhalations from one cigarette produces an effect similar
to that of marijuana or taking the Salvia infusion. It has a duration of one to
two hours (Ott 1993; Díaz 1975). The fresh leaves may be chewed and retained in
the mouth. Blosser collected a strain of S. divinorum with leaves that are much
less bitter than normal. His Mazatec informants made a "quid" of four to five
pair of these fresh leaves and retained the juices in the mouth, which was more
effective than ingesting them. This has been confirmed by other investigators,
who have used the normal bitter strains. They state that the duration of such
visions is from one to two hours (Siebert In press; Blosser 1993; Ott 1993).
The Mazatec most often take S. divinorum by eating the fresh leaves, or
preparing an infusion from fresh foliage that has been crushed by hand or ground
on a metate (a flat stone utensil). The effects of ingesting the leaves or
imbibing the infusion are reported to be identical. Doses are similar, from 5 to
80 pairs of leaves. When taking fewer than 20 pairs, activity may be perceived
to be minimal or non-existent. It is essential to understand that effects are
readily offset by light and noise. Not taking this into consideration often
leads the experimenter to believe that there are no effects or that they are
mild and of short duration (Foster 1984; Valdés 1983; Hofmann 1980; Wasson 1978,
1963, 1962).
Field work has shown that under these necessary conditions of quiet and
darkness, intense and long-lasting visions do occur (Valdés et al. 1987; Valdés,
Díaz & Paul 1983; Valdés 1983). As part of a research project, and under the
guidance of Don Alejandro and Filipe Vicente, the present author twice drank the
infusion prepared from S. divinorum leaves; taking it also was Dr. José L. Díaz;
Ara Paul observed. The Mazatecs ingest psychotropic plants only under certain
ritualized circumstances. In this case, the Salvia potion was given to "study"
the plant and become healers. Before each session Don Alejandro would spend the
late afternoon and early evening relating tales of Mazatec curing and mythology
(Incháustegui 1977). About 8:00 pm he prepared the infusion by crushing the
leaves in water as described above. After it was made, it had a good head of
foam, which he said was an indication of strength. He then offered ceremonial
prayers for each of us asking God and various Saints, as well as Mary (the
patroness of the Salvia) to reveal the arts of healing and the medicinal herbs.
The curandero spent an hour describing in detail the journey to heaven, the
personages to ben encountered and the things to be seen. He told us not to be
afraid, and emphasized that we had to speak out our visions (Wasson et al.
1974). Afterwards, we were to follow a special "diet" for four days to two
weeks. Just before we took the preparation he performed a limpia (ritual
cleansing) with piciete (a mixture of tobacco and lime) and incense. This was
for protection on our journey and to help us in our learning. The first time we
drank the infusion, he took it also, so he could "watch over us."
For my first encounter with las hojas de la Pastora, I was given a beginner's
dose prepared from 20 pairs of leaves. I had a few minor experiences at first,
but 45 minutes after drinking the preparation I felt myself flying through pitch
black space past various brightly colored objects. I came to one of them. It
turned out to be a Mazatec village and I viewed it from above, as if from a
hill. It appeared to be almost real, although the colors were somewhat
emphasized. There were shapes like pillars of kaleidoscopic smoke at the sides
of some of the houses. Then I began to recede from the apparition. I did not
speak out as I was instructed to. An hour after we started, Don Alejandro went
outside and vomited, indicating it would stop his visions. For the next hour he
listened to what we had seen and then related his visions while commenting on
ours. He told me it was necessary to speak out. We then went to sleep and arose
the following morning at 4:30 am in good spirits.
My second experience occurred about six months later. Again, Díaz also took the
infusion, while Paul tape recorded the session (Valdés, Díaz & Paul 1983). Don
Alejandro's preparations were much like that for the earlier session, except
that my drink was made from 50 pairs of leaves. This time the curandero felt he
did not need join us. He was a maestro, one who could journey to heaven and talk
to God and the Saints without resorting to the psychotropic plants (Incháustegui
1977). Felipe told us that his father had a direct access to God in Heaven. It
was the spiritual version of a long-distance telephone call. We drank the
infusion at 9:00 pm. Unfortunately the village was extremely noisy that evening,
especially the continual barking of the dogs. After about 15 minutes, we began
to have visions. This time I spoke mine out, alternating between English and
Spanish, which helped to fix them in my mind. Díaz spoke first and mentioned
flowers. I then saw eidetic images that evolved to plants and flowers. These
later became giant fruits and seeds. At the same time I felt that I was twisting
inside my body as well as spinning around. I saw a burning cross with two
horizontal rays. It stopped flaming and began to emit light. Suddenly I seemed
to be very heavy, as though something were pushing me into the bed. My arms felt
sore. Later I saw what looked like a darkened picture in black and white. Díaz
apologized to Don Alejandro for our inability to see the religious figures the
curandero had described. My vision then changed back to color, with praying
figures resembling those seen in Mexican churches. They were faceless and their
clothing was covered with gold. The image of a jewel-encrusted single-rayed
cross appeared. It converted itself slowly back and forth to a sword. In the
center of the image I could see animals, plants and people. If the vision
started to change or disappear, I could concentrate and bring it back. The last
image was that of a castle that was transformed into a Byzantine church. Hooded,
faceless, monklike figures marched around it.
About 50 minutes had gone by and Felipe suddenly stopped the session. Don
Alejandro told him that there was too much noise for a meaningful experience. As
we left the bedroom, Díaz and I staggered and stumbled. The tape recording later
confirmed that our speech was slurred and we spoke in awkward patterns, although
we both felt quite alert. Díaz said that it was as if the body were intoxicated,
but the mind wasn't. Don Alejandro spent an hour discussing our visions with us.
He said that once we returned to the motel where we were staying, they would
come back and last throughout the night. With more experience, we would begin to
understand the use of the plant and the ways of healing. We could continue
"studying" on our own. The curandero cautioned that Paul should drive back.
During the return journey, in the quiet darkness of the car, the imagery
returned. I saw the Virgin of Guadalupe. If the vision began to fade, I could
will it back. We returned to the well-lit motel where there was music and noise.
I thought the experience was over and things had returned to normal. Díaz felt
cold and wrapped himself in a sarape (he noted that this had happened on other
occasions when he took the infusion). We ate a light supper, showered, turned
out the light, and went to bed. It was 11:30, some 2.5 hours after I first drank
the potion. In the motel room, the imagery came back stronger than ever. Even
though I didn't speak out, I saw a pulsating purplish light that changed to an
insect-like shape, perhaps a bee or a moth, and then into a pulsating sea
anemone. It expanded into a desert full of prickly pear cacti, and remained so
for several minutes. During the first session and throughout the night, my
visions had all appeared to be something like a cross between a silent moving
picture and a cartoon. I felt myself to be an observer of these mute visions,
rather than being an actual part of them. Suddenly, however, I was in a broad
meadow with brightly colored flowers. I had just crossed a stream by way of a
small wooden bridge. Next to me was something that seemed to be the skeleton of
a giant model airplane made of rainbow colored inner tubing. The sky was bright
blue and I could see a woods in the distance. I found myself talking to a man in
a shining white robe who was either shaking my hand, or else holding on to it.
It was an amazing hallucination, as I truly believed I was in the meadow. It was
not like a dream. After a few moments the desert landscape returned and I slowly
went to sleep after an hour or so. I rose early the next morning, feeling no
adverse effects.
It is important to again emphasize that quiet and darkness are essential to a
complete visionary experience with the Salvia infusion. This is probably true
with all methods of taking the plant, including smoking the leaves. Only on
inhalation of the vaporized compound may this be unnecessary. Felipe paraphrased
his father's explanation of the potion's mechanism of action as follows, " What
happens to the soul when one drinks la María (their name for the infusion) is
that it has so much strength that one is left as if in a faint. And, therefore,
a person becomes intoxicated when la María enters them, along with the prayers
of my father and the words of Christ. It really isn't alcohol, however. You go
into a 'delicate (special)' state... At times one becomes half-drunk, but with
the result that what they are experiencing will be engraved on their mind." It
is obvious that Don Alejandro realized the importance of ritual and expectation
to the visionary experience. Speaking out helps fix it in the mind.
During the two sessions, Díaz and I felt mental sensations that included flying,
floating, traveling rapidly through space, twisting and spinning, as well as a
heaviness or lightness of the body. Physically, we had slurred speech and
awkward sentence patterns. We both had a normal pupillary response to a
flashlight shined in our eyes by Paul. Díaz later felt a chill that was
accompanied by a lowered heart rate. After the sessions were over,and the light
was turned on, we were dizzy and stumbled about when we tried to move around.
Understanding this effect, Don Alejandro suggested that Paul do the driving.
Although we recognized the physical incoordination, we felt that, mentally, we
were in combined states of acute awareness and receptive minds. Interestingly,
Siebert (1994) noted incoordination at high doses of vaporized and inhaled
salvinorin A, but his subjects were extremely confused. The curandero spent
hours before each session describing what we would see. This had a tremendous
influence on my second experience. During this session Díaz mentioned plants and
flowers. I then began to see them also. Later, he apologized to Don Alejandro
for not seeing what was supposed to appear, especially the saints and other
religious figures. As he finished speaking, I saw such imagery. When I described
my vision of a castle, Díaz saw one also. The most amazing experience was that
which happened to me on my return to the motel. Don Alejandro had described what
the visionary journey would be like. I am sure that when I found myself in the
meadow, talking to the man in white who fit the description of a saint, I was in
the curandero's heaven. The hallucination was quite complete, being visual,
oral, aural and tactile. Experiences for other ways of taking the leaves or
salvinorin A should be similar, only varying in duration and degree of
intensity.
Investigators' reports of the effects of chewing a quid, smoking the leaves, or
inhaling the vaporized compound, say they last from 30 minutes to 2 hours,
peaking at about 1 hour. The second time I took the infusion, made from 50 pairs
of leaves, the effects lasted at least 4 hours before I went to sleep. Don
Alejandro had said the visions would last all night. When he took the
preparation with us, he went outside and vomited. He said this would end the
effects. On making the infusion, he noted the head of foam, which indicated it
would be quite potent. The Mazatec way of either grinding or crushing the leaves
in water is a pharmaceutically elegant way of preparing a microsuspension or
emulsion of salvinorin A. This explains the foam on the top of a "good"
preparation. It is much more effective than the crude emulsion that was made to
dose the mice (this emulsion might serve for oral dosing of the compound,
however), for it disperses the compound without an accompanying settling out.
Ingesting this infusion, one has visions that last for an extended period of
time, as the drug is slowly and regularly released and absorbed through the
stomach and gastrointestinal tract. Vomiting, therefore, will remove the
remaining infusion and drug from the body, ending the experience. One can also
understand why dried leaves aren't used by the Mazatecs. Drying drastically
alters the chemical composition of the leaves, and the microsuspension/emulsion
of salvinorin A will not be formed. Since salvinorin A is insoluble in water,
the dry leaves will not serve to prepare an effective infusion.
From the above, it is apparent that both S. divinorum and salvinorin A are prime
candidates to become drugs of widespread use once knowledge of their effects
spreads. A small investment in fertilizer and solvents, with only a minimal need
for mastery of laboratory technique, would make cultivation of S. divinorum and
isolation of salvinorin A potentially much more attractive than trying to
synthesize LSD or phencyclidine derivatives. Smoking the dried leaves, eating
the fresh ones, or taking the infusion should not be major problems to treat in
the emergency room. However the fraction of a milligram of salvinorin A needed
to induce visions can easily lead to problems in measuring out accurate doses.
Smoking the compound in the manner of cocaine free base might add to its
mystique; being vaporized and inhaled means that the effects are almost
immediate. Unfortunately the extreme potency of salvinorin A could readily lead
to overdosing and its associated problems, especially as nothing is known about
methods of treatment or the compound's metabolism in the body. Using medications
might prove to be disastrous. There is a lot of research to be done on S.
divinorum and its active ingredient.
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