Salvia Divinorum FAQ
Although listed as a "drug of concern" by the United States Drug Enforcement Administration, as of December 2010, Australia is the only country to have criminalized salvia divinorum or any of its active ingredients. Does this Spark an idea?
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What Type of Plant is Salvia Divinorum ?
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Salvia divinorum is a type of sage, salvia, a perennial herb holding membership in the mint family. The plant is native to a small area around Oaxaca, Mexico where the herb has historically been utilized by the indigenous people of the region in spiritual ritual -- largely for the hallucinogenic effect it provides.
What is the Drug and is it Illegal?
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This effect is brought on by the chemical ingredient salvinorin A. "Neither Salvia divinorum nor any of its constituents, including salvinorin A, are controlled under the federal Controlled Substances Act (CSA)," reports the United States Drug Enforcement Administration. However, as of December 2010, a variety of states in the U.S. have enacted a wide hodge-podge of regulatory controls.
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Who Uses it and What Are the Effects?
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Usage of the plant has skyrocketed among young adults since 2000 as it has become widely available for sale and distributed via the Internet. The Center for Substance Abuse Research at the University of Maryland reports that physical disturbances from the drug include dizziness, nausea, loss of coordination, slurred speech, chills and decreased heart rate.
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References
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