Psychedelics - Salvinorin A Final Exam Study Guide PDF

Psychedelics: Salvinorin A Psychoactive Compound: Found in Salvia divinorum, a mint plant. Concentration: Leaves contain approximately 0.18% Salvinorin A. Names: ○ Magic Mint, Sally D, Puff (shortened to Salvia). ○ Also known as Savior of the Seers or Diviner's Sage. Or...

Psychedelics: Salvinorin A Psychoactive Compound: Found in Salvia divinorum, a mint plant. Concentration: Leaves contain approximately 0.18% Salvinorin A. Names: ○ Magic Mint, Sally D, Puff (shortened to Salvia). ○ Also known as Savior of the Seers or Diviner's Sage. Origin and Traditional Use Indigenous Region: Oaxaca, Mexico. Traditional Use: ○ Mazatec Shamans used Salvia for spiritual healing and health purposes. ○ Used to treat real conditions like anemia, diarrhea, headache, and rheumatism. ○ Treated a magical health condition, "swollen belly", believed to be caused by a curse or black magic. Chemical Nature of Salvinorin A Non-Alkaloid: Unlike many other hallucinogens (e.g., LSD, mescaline), Salvinorin A is not an alkaloid. ○ Alkaloids are nitrogen-containing compounds found in many plants, often with psychoactive properties. Salvinorin A is unique in its chemical structure and action. History of Discovery 1930s: First reported by Albert Hofmann (also discovered LSD) and Gordon Wasson (studied magic mushrooms). 1990s: Salvinorin A was identified as the psychoactive compound. Recreational Use and Popularity Rise in Popularity: Increased recreational use in the 21st century. Statistics: ○ 2009: 1.6% of Canadians aged 15+ reported use (7.3% of 15-24-year-olds). ○ 2019: 2.2% of Canadians aged 15+ reported use (4.8% of 20-24-year-olds vs 2.1% in 25+). Usage: Relatively low, but highest among teens and young adults. Legality Canada: ○ Schedule IV drug under the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act (since 2015).  ○ Illegal for sale, possession, and production, except for medical, scientific, or industrial purposes (though there are no known industrial uses in Canada). U.S: ○ Not federally regulated, but individual states have enacted their own regulations. ○ E.g., Missouri classifies it as a Schedule I drug, while in Maine, it’s regulated like alcohol and tobacco (cannot be sold to children under 18). Commercial Availability Despite legal restrictions, businesses (e.g., Etsy Canada) may still advertise Salvia divinorum seeds Psychedelics: Routes of Administration for Salvinorin A: Overview of Administration Routes Oral (Chewing) ○ Method: Fresh leaves are chewed and held in the mouth for 15-30 minutes to allow absorption through the mucous membranes. ○ Dose: Typically 30 grams of fresh leaves. ○ Traditional Use: Leaves are crushed, mixed with water, and the liquid is ingested and held in the mouth. The liquid is not swallowed, as Salvinorin A is degraded in the gastrointestinal tract and cannot reach the bloodstream that way. ○ Onset: Effects begin within 5-10 minutes, gradually build, peak, and then decline over the next few hours. Tinctures (Alcohol/Water Mixture) ○ Method: Leaves are soaked in alcohol or water to create a tincture, which is then administered as drops placed in the cheek. Not sublingually, as no effects occur with sublingual administration. ○ Dose: 2-8 grams of dried leaves, or 30 grams of fresh leaves. ○ Onset: Similar to chewing, effects begin in 5-10 minutes, build gradually, and last for a few hours. Smoked/Inhaled ○ Method: Dried leaves are either burned or vaporized to create an aerosol, which is then inhaled. ○ Dose: Typically 250 to 750 mg of dried leaves. ○ Modern Use: Dried leaves are often treated with pure Salvinorin A to increase potency. ○ Example: A cigarette containing 830 mg of dried plant material may contain about 2.7 mg of Salvinorin A, yielding 133 micrograms in the smoke. ○ Onset: Effects are felt within 30 seconds, peak in 5-10 minutes (or 2 minutes with vapor), and decline gradually over 20-30 minutes Metabolism and Clearance: Active Transport from Brain: Salvinorin A is cleared from the brain via an active transport mechanism, meaning it is actively moved out of the brain cells into the bloodstream for further processing. Metabolism: ○ Salvinorin A is primarily metabolized by the liver and gallbladder. ○ It undergoes transformation into a metabolite called Salvinorin B, which is inactive, meaning it does not produce psychoactive effects like Salvinorin A. ○ This deactivation of Salvinorin A into Salvinorin B helps limit the duration of the drug's effects on the brain Psychedelics: Salvinorin A Pharmacology: Primary Action: Opioid Agonist Opioid Agonist at Kappa Receptors: ○ Salvinorin A acts as an agonist at kappa opioid receptors. This means it binds to and activates these receptors, which are involved in regulating mood, pain, and stress response. ○ Evidence of Opioid Activity: Despite this action, it is not classified as a typical opioid because it is structurally different from other opiate substances. Other Neurotransmitter System Effects (Animal Studies Only): Dopamine: ○ Salvinorin A inhibits dopamine release in areas of the brain such as the striatum, prefrontal cortex, and nucleus accumbens. ○ This inhibition can affect mood, motivation, and reward pathways, leading to the altered perception and behavior associated with its use. Serotonin: ○ It also inhibits serotonin release in the hippocampus, which could affect mood regulation, memory, and learning processes. Norepinephrine: ○ Salvinorin A stimulates norepinephrine release in the hippocampus, which can affect alertness, arousal, and stress responses. Uncertainty and Further Research Limited Human Data: ○ While these effects are observed in animal studies, little is definitively known about its full range of pharmacological actions in humans, as research is ongoing Psychedelics: Salvinorin A Effects: Physiological Effects Sweating: Increased perspiration. Body Temperature: Sensations of feeling hot or experiencing chills. Dizziness: A sense of lightheadedness. Nausea: Feeling queasy or sick to the stomach. Drooling: Intense drooling or excessive saliva production. Heart Rate: Decreased heart rate (bradycardia). Rotation: A sensation of rotation, such as feeling like one is spinning or in a vortex. Psychological and Behavioral Effects Impaired Coordination: Difficulty with motor control and balance. Uncontrollable Laughter: Sudden bursts of laughter without control. Calm/Dreamy State: Users may feel calm or enter a dreamy, altered state of consciousness. Improved Mood: Enhanced self-confidence and positive mood. Increased Creativity: Feeling of improved insight and creative thinking. Mind Racing: Thoughts can feel fast and overwhelming. Time Distortions: A perception that time is moving differently, either speeding up or slowing down. Spiritual Experiences: Some users report experiencing a spiritual or mystical state. Psychedelic Effects Colorful Visuals: Similar to classic psychedelics, Salvinorin A can produce vivid, colorful visions of objects and designs. Perception of Becoming an Object: Some individuals report the sensation of merging with or becoming an object (e.g., a brick, pant leg, Ferris wheel, French fries, cartoon characters). Overlapping Realities: A feeling of experiencing multiple realities at the same time. "Salvia Winds": A sensation of intense sideways or downward pressure, like being swept or pulled. Reliving Experiences: Some individuals feel like they are revisiting past places or experiences, often from childhood. Adverse Effects Headaches: Post-use headaches may occur. Drowsiness: Users may feel sleepy or lethargic. Dysphoria: Feelings of unease, discomfort, or dissatisfaction. Panic/Terror: Intense feelings of fear, panic attacks, or terror from the hallucinations. Motor Incoordination: Difficulty controlling body movements. Irritability: Feelings of frustration or irritability.  Nausea/Drooling: Increased drooling and nausea may occur, especially with higher doses Psychedelics: Salvinorin A Tolerance and Dependence: Tolerance No Evidence of Tolerance: ○ No significant build-up of tolerance to the effects of Salvinorin A, meaning users do not need increasing doses to achieve the same effects over time. Dependence Mild Withdrawal Symptoms: ○ Headache: Common after stopping use. ○ Irritability: Users may experience increased frustration or mood disturbances. ○ Insomnia: Difficulty sleeping or maintaining sleep may occur after discontinuation. Case Study (51-Year-Old User) Usage: Smoked Salvinorin A multiple times per day for 4 months. Withdrawal Symptoms: ○ Nausea, Vomiting, Diarrhea: Gastrointestinal distress developed 48 hours after cessation. ○ Stomach Pain: Persistent for 3 days following discontinuation of use