thanks a lot,
a curious reader

Salvia Divinorum (you were close on the spelling) is a wild herb in the mint and sage families that once grew exclusively within a small region of Sierra Mazatec, Mexico. Its leaves contain the potent hallucinogen, Salvinorin A, which creates hallucinogenic experiences. Often a rolled up ball, a "quid" of salvia is made from the leaves and chewed, swallowed, or smoked.

Legal in many countries, S. Divinorum's long-term effects and addictive nature are unknown. Salvia has been listed in toxicology studies as non-toxic and not habit-forming, but other sources state that research may be too limited to tell. As a result, the U.S. Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA) lists Salvia as a drug or chemical "of concern." Its presence and use has spread around the world and can be seen across continents from Canada to South America.

S. Divinorum is not a social or party drug since it creates an out-of-reality state in a person that often blurs the distinction between real life and dreams/fantasies. Salvia creates introspective moments of contemplation and meditation. This drug is linked to deep meditative states, mysticism, and exploration of the nature of consciousness and reality. Historically, shamans used this herb in healing rituals.

Salvia is widely known as the herbal drug for experimentalists, a community of users seeking meditative "trips." But it is not usually compared with other hallucinogens, such as LSD or mescaline. A large dose of natural Salvia is as potent as smaller doses of synthetic LSD, but its chemical interaction with the body, as well as its hallucinogenic effects, are different.

The effects of this herbal drug are more similar to the effects of alcohol on a person, interfering with and/or negatively affecting judgment, ability to drive, speech, and coordination. Operating heavy machinery is also not recommended while under the influence of any drug, which makes sense when Salvia affects the ability to tell fact from fiction.

Salvia itself (pure Salvinorin A) is too strong for most people. It's also hard to measure or regulate when it's in its pure form. Salvia leaf, which can be measured more accurately, and is less potent, is the form of this hallucinogen that is most used.

The S-A-L-V-I-A scale can explain the levels of impact that occur with S. Divinorum. Each letter in SALVIA represents a range of the effects Salvia has on the body. The potency of the experience increases with each consecutive letter. And Salvia users move from one stage to the next by increasing the amount of drugs present in the Salvia experience: