Trying salvia for the first time? Here’s what you need to know

Trying salvia for the first time? Here’s what you need to know

Salvia divinorum, a psychoactive plant native to Mexico, is an amazing and potent naturally occurring herb that can induce a powerful spiritual and healing psychedelic experience. At the same time, it can give you nightmares and a bad trip you won’t want to look back on. When using Salvia for the first time, it’s therefore wise to know exactly what it is, what the risks are, and what to watch out for.

First things first: what is Salvia?

Salvia divinorum, better known as Salvia, is a herb in the Labiatae family. It is native to the cloud forest regions of the Sierra Mazateca in Oaxaca, Mexico, where it typically grows around ravines or in high, humid areas. Salvia is a very potent psychedelic characterized by unique visionary experiences. Many people use it to treat pain, addictions, and depression, or to achieve personal growth.

Salvia has a rich history. The Mazatec Indians revered the plant as an incarnation of the Virgin Mary, which also explains the local name “hojas de Maria” (leaves of Mary). It was used for rituals, healing, and divination. It is one of the three sacred plants that young shamans encounter. The other two are Morning Glory seeds and magic mushrooms.

While it had been used for centuries by shamans in Mexico, Salvia first came to the attention of Western anthropologists between the 1930s and 1950s. They reported colorful visions and patterns, after which more and more research was conducted on the plant. In 1962, Salvia Divinorum was officially named.

A powerful psychedelic

The hundreds of YouTube videos of people tripping on Salvia prove that the substance is an extremely potent psychedelic. In fact, Salvinorin A, the psychoactive molecule in Salvia, is considered the most potent naturally occurring psychedelic substance. In addition, Salvia differs from other natural psychedelics in a number of ways. While other typical psychedelics contain nitrogen, Salvinorin A consists solely of carbon, hydrogen, and oxygen atoms.

Another difference from other psychedelics is that Salvinorin A has no binding affinity for serotonin (5-HT) receptors. Its mechanism of action lies in strong and highly selective binding to the kappa-opioid receptors (or KORs). KOR agonists are known to cause hallucinations or visions, dissociation, and a sense of altered reality.

Pure salvinorin A is, incidentally, extremely potent. A dose of just a few hundred micrograms (millionths of a gram) will already have an effect, and a dose above 1 milligram is too much for most people to use comfortably. Fortunately, Salvia leaves are many times weaker than pure salvinorin A, making them safe to use as long as certain rules and tips are followed.

Under the right conditions and when taken properly, Salvia produces a unique state of “divine intoxication.” It is no coincidence that Salvia has been used for hundreds of years in religious and healing ceremonies by the Mazatec Indians. Precisely because Salvia is such a powerful psychoactive substance, the way it is used must be respected. For many, a Salvia experience can be uncomfortable or pleasant, but at the same time spiritually mind-expanding. That is why it is important to know what to expect.

3 tips for a pleasant Salvia trip

If you’ve made it this far in the article, you’re on the right track to having a positive salvia experience. The most important thing when using salvia is that you use it safely and, above all, that you have the right mindset. You are about to embark on a very powerful psychedelic journey over which you have very little control. Make sure your mind and body are completely at rest and that you’re not experiencing any stress, anxiety, or panic. It’s important that you don’t make any plans for a few hours after the trip (which lasts about 10 to 30 minutes). Quickly smoking some Salvia before heading to work is absolutely not a good idea. You’ll need the time after the trip to fully come back to reality and process the experience.

There’s a good chance you’ll start acting strangely as soon as the salvia kicks in. Especially if you’re using salvia for the first time, it’s wise to have a trip sitter. This person should keep an eye on you, but it’s important that you don’t interact with them during the trip. The only reason they’re there is to prevent you from doing unpredictable things or to offer comfort when needed. Incidentally, for the same reason, it’s important that you fully trust the sitter and feel completely comfortable with them. Is your trip over? Then you might be able to help guide your sitter’s trip as well.

A salvia trip can, in some cases, be uncomfortable or even dangerous, depending on the space you’re in. Your immediate surroundings are crucial to having a good or bad trip. The presence of other people you’re interacting with can be overwhelming for many first-time users. If you’re tripping for the first time, we recommend doing so in the dark so you can experience the trip without distractions. Think of lying on your bed in the bedroom or on the couch with the curtains closed. In addition, it’s advisable to eliminate as many visual stimuli as possible. So just turn off the TV.

Things to keep in mind during your Salvia trip

You’ve got your setting sorted, your trip sitter is present, and all the curtains are closed. Is that all you need to know? Well, there’s more. You’ll also need to keep a few things in mind during the trip itself. A tip is to just let the trip run its course. The moment you start worrying and act on it, things go wrong. You’ll be tripping hard on salvia, but accept it and close your eyes. Let your thoughts wander and try to relax.

There’s also a chance you’ll experience feelings like fear, discomfort, and dysphoria. But these feelings will fade and disappear quickly. Accept that the salvia trip is stronger than you are. It’s not for nothing that it’s one of the most powerful and intense psychedelics out there. It’s also wise to realize that communicating during a high-dose salvia trip is virtually impossible. And whatever you do try to convey will likely be very incoherent. Once again, the same advice: try to relax; the trip will be over in no time.

In short: a salvia trip can be an amazing mind-expanding experience, but at the same time, it can evoke feelings of anxiety or discomfort. Make sure you have the right setting and the right mindset to increase your chances of having a pleasant trip. Do you have more questions about using Salvia? Please contact us.