Salvia: The Rise And Fall Of An INSANE Legal High

Salvia is one of the most curious and powerful psychedelics out there, and for a while, you could buy it in headshops all across the US. This was marketed as a ‘legal high’, and many people thought this stuff was similar to weed. This misunderstanding & availability in tons of headshops led to a wave of viral YouTube videos showcasing its effects, as well as some tragic incidents that ultimately pushed for its prohibition in many states. This is a wild story, so we’re about to take a deep dive into Salvia, its traditional uses, and how it went from a legal high to a banned substance in most parts of the country.

What is Salvia?

Salvia divinorum, also known as diviner's sage, is a plant native to Mexico, particularly used by the Mazatec people in Oaxaca for centuries. This plant has been used in shamanic rituals due to its powerful psychoactive properties. The active compound, Salvinorin A, is a hallucinogen that can cause profound changes in perception, mood, and consciousness.

Salvia can be consumed by smoking dried leaves or chewing fresh ones, and its effects can last from a few minutes to an hour or more. While traditionally used for spiritual insight and divination, it was also believed to help treat ailments like headaches, diarrhea, and rheumatism.

Salvia Divinorum Flowers

Salvia, surprisingly, belongs to the same plant family as mint - the Lamiaceae family.

The Early Popularity of Salvia

Salvia divinorum first entered the U.S. market in the 1990s but gained widespread popularity in the early 2000s. Headshops and online stores began selling it alongside rolling papers and pipes, marketing it as a "legal high" without providing much context for its powerful, unpredictable effects.

Despite its rise in popularity, many people didn’t realize what they were getting into. Salvia is not your average “fun high.” Its effects have been compared to DMT, known for its intense, otherworldly experiences. Many first-time users had no idea what to expect and often reported having bizarre and terrifying experiences. I tired this myself, not knowing what to expect - and it was one of the most horribly intense and unsettling things I had ever experienced. It was NOT fun.

Salvia Youtube was WILD!

There were lots of videos where people would share their Salvia Trip Reports. Some were funny, and some were horrifying - but they were very popular and got tons of views.

The YouTube Era: Viral Videos and Concerns

In the early 2000s, Salvia began to gain viral attention on YouTube. Personal testimonials and "trip" videos flooded the platform, with users filming their intense, and often bizarre, reactions to smoking Salvia. These videos contributed to the plant’s growing popularity, especially among young people.

However, this viral trend also caught the attention of lawmakers. The concern over the potential dangers of Salvia use, especially among teenagers, led to a wave of legislation aimed at banning or restricting its sale. By 2007, states like Delaware, Louisiana, and Missouri had already passed laws prohibiting Salvia. By 2008, the DEA had labeled Salvia a "drug of concern," and more states began following suit.

The Tragedy of Brett Chidester

The death of Brett Chidester led to 'Brett's Law', which classifies Salvia divinorum as a Delaware Schedule I controlled substance

The story of Brett Chidester is one of the most tragic moments in Salvia's history. In 2008, Brett, a teenager struggling with depression and anxiety, took his own life after experimenting with Salvia. His case sparked national outrage and calls for increased regulation. Brett’s parents campaigned heavily for the plant’s prohibition, leading to further restrictions on its sale and use.

Today, 27 states, including California, Florida, Texas, and Virginia, have passed laws that regulate or ban Salvia. These laws range from imposing fines for possession to outlawing sales to minors or scheduling the plant as a controlled substance.

Salvia vs. Other Legal Highs

It’s important to note that while Salvia may have caused some intense and frightening experiences, it wasn’t as dangerous as other legal highs like "Spice" or synthetic cannabinoids. Spice, another product sold in headshops during this time, could cause severe health problems, and in some cases, even death.

Salvia Today

While Salvia may not be as widely available as it once was, it remains a part of psychedelic history, representing both the dangers of misunderstanding powerful substances and the rapid rise of legal highs in the early 2000s. Today, Salvia is hard to find in most states due to the widespread regulations, but its story is a reminder of how quickly things can spiral when something as potent as Salvia is misunderstood.

By understanding the history of Salvia, its cultural significance, and its rise to infamy in the US, we can better navigate the future of psychedelics and how we approach legal highs. If people don’t understand the effects of the products they are buying, things can get really sketchy - especially when your talking about an insanely potent psychedelic.

Salvia isn’t something to experiment with lightly, and while it was once sold in headshops like any other legal high, its effects are anything but casual. If you want to see me attempt to describe the horrors of my first Salvia trip, and see some of the crazy ‘trip report videos’ - make sure to watch my Salvia Youtube video below.