There was little research performed on Salvia divinorum during the
following two decades. Salvinorin A was first isolated in 1982 by Alfredo
Ortega, while performing a systematic chemical search for novel terpenoid
compounds within the genus salvia. Ortega's search was not related
to, and
did not investigate, this plant's psychoactive properties. A group
led by
Leander Valdes, who was attempting to discover the psychoactive component
of Salvia divinorum, separately isolated the same compound in 39g.
The
Valdes group, however, only tested salvinorin A by administering injections
to mice. Although these experiments suggested that salvinorin A was
the
main psychoactive component of the plant. the Valdes group remained
unaware
of its extraordinarily potent effects in humans.
In June of 1993 Daniel Siebert discovered the strikingly powerful effects
of salvinorin A, following the smoking of an extract which he had
produced. Prior to producing the extract Siebert had been experimenting
with ingestion of Salvia divinorum and smoking the dried leaves. Although
these experiments allowed him to enter a psychedelic world, he felt
that a
much vaster dimension was waiting beyond the state produced by these
methods of consumption. He began a series of experiments producing
concentrated extracts and trying various methods of administration,
During
his experiments, Siebert felt the plant's spirit was issuing a kind
of
intuitional guidance, encouraging him to continue with the extraction
process and discover a means of achieving a full Salvia experience.
Pure salvinorin A is desirable because it permits one to experience
intense
psychedelic effects which are often elusive when using the whole plant
material. In particular, when smoking dried Salvia divinorum leaf,
many
people fail to achieve more than a mild effect, although a few find
this
method quite satisfactory.
Upon his discovery of two terpenoid compounds, Valdes named them
divinorin A and divinorin B. However, since Ortega had previously
discovered and named the first of these compounds. the name salvinorin
A is
currently used for the plants primary terpenoid component. Salvinorin
B,
which represents about 4% of the plant's terpenoids, did not
turn out to be
psychoactive in Valdes' animal studies, however, it has yet to be tested
in
humans. Valdes has also isolated other terpenoids from
Salvia divinorum.
In his book, Pharmako/Poeia, Dale Pendell indicates that
one may need to work
with the plant for some time before feeling its effects.
"The Ally - She can be shy. Sometimes she has to get to know you for
a while before she
will come out and say hello. But once she appears, are there any who
are
more direct?"
When smoking dried Salvia divinorum leaf it is important that
the entire quantity be consumed in one or two large inhalations if
one hopes to
obtain significant effects. Smoking it in the manner one normally smokes
a
joint usually produces no more than a mild buzz.
Siebert found that leaves harvested during the warmer months of the
year
were at least twice as potent as those harvested during the winter.
John
Gruber of the Philadelphia College of Pharmacy and Science recently
performed HPLC tests which yielded between 1.5 and 2.2 mg. salvinorin
A per
gram of dried Salvia divinorum leaf with lower amounts appearing in
the
stems and traces in the roots. Earlier experiments by Siebert have
yielded
up to 4.4 mg. salvinorin A per gram of dried leaf. The dried leaf equals
approximately 13% of the fresh weight.
Siebert also discovered that when ingesting Salvia divinorum, its active
components are absorbed primarily through contact with the oral mucosa.
His experiments showed that significant
entheogenic experiences were
produced by chewing 8 to 10 large fresh leaves (3 grams each, fresh
weight)
and holding them in the mouth for 10 minutes, while quickly swallowing
the
same amount of material produced no noticeable effects. In sessions
where
Salvia divinorum was administered by Mazatecan shamans, most westerners
who reported definite psychoactive effects were given 50 to 100 leaves.
Reports on the plant's psychoactivity were inconsistent, and much of
what
was absorbed by those who felt its effects may have been through the
oral
mucosa during the process of chewing and consuming the leaves.
Shortly after discovering salvinorin A's effects, Siebert sent a sample
to
David Nichols who initiated a NovaScreenTM receptor
site screening. The
screening results were in contrast to those of all previously tested
psychedelics. Salvinorin A did not affect any of the receptor sites
tested,
which included all of the likely known receptor sites for other
psychedelics.
