Is Salvia safe?

Yes, Salvia is extremely safe with low toxicology even at high doses, much higher than we would use in a therapy session. Most risks of Salvia use involve improper set and setting or improper dosing (i.e., taking way too much), which aren’t an issue with therapeutic use.

There is also an inherent risk that comes with inhaling combusted plant matter, but the doses used in therapy are extremely small and produce very little smoke.

How does it work?

Salvinorin A and B act on the kappa opioid receptors of the body. It is important to distinguish these receptors from the mu opioid receptors, the site of activity for opiates, which bear no resemblance to Salvia in mechanism nor experience (and certainly not in potential for dependence). Salvinorins are also drastically different from classical psychedelics (which bind to serotonin receptors) and even ketamine (NMDA receptors).

What is the experience like?

Every person is different, and every experience is different, but there are a few general qualities of the low-dose Salvia experience at the levels I use therapeutically. There is a meditative effect, a calming and slowing down of the bodily systems. The client might feel like they are more in touch with their body, or even communicating with a loving feminine presence (often identified as the spirit of Salvia). There can be many unique somatic effects: feeling pulled and pushed as if by gravity; warming and tingling; a new awareness of energy moving through the body; even hard to describe sensations, such as “being unzipped” or “flattened.”

It’s worth mentioning that these experiences are very gentle and can be quite subtle and controllable. If something feels unpleasant, you can very easily open your eyes and ground yourself from the experience at any time. But more often than not, things feel neutral or pleasant.

What are the side effects?

One can experience a gentle relaxation for up to an hour after the acute effects of Salvia wear off. It becomes very easy to meditate or stay still for longer than is usually possible.

Although low-dose Salvia is not emotionally intense by nature, it can sometimes bring up difficult emotions, similar to a powerful talk therapy session.

Is Salvia addictive?

No, Salvia does not possess the qualities we typically associate with dependence or addiction. It does not target the reward centers of the brain, and actually has a reverse tolerance - the more often you do it, the less you need to use to achieve the desired effect. Anecdotally, those who have used Salvia on a daily basis for extended periods have ceased their used with no withdrawals or cravings.

Does my medication prevent me from using Salvia?

There are no known interactions between Salvia and prescription medications.

How do I get started?

I invite you to reach out to me and we can set up a free consultation to discuss if Salvia is a good fit for you.