Aztec sage

Aztec sage (Salvia divinorum), a member of the mint family (Lamiaceae), is a plant that has been used for centuries by the Mazatec Indians in Mexico. Traditionally, it was used in spiritual and religious ceremonies to receive visions and enter trance states. The Mazatec regarded Salvia divinorum as a sacred plant, which they associated with the Virgin Mary, giving it special significance in spiritual healing and rituals.

Traditional and modern use

Historically, Aztec sage was used by the Mazatec for healing and spiritual visions. They chewed the plant's leaves or prepared a drink from them in order to make contact with the spiritual world. These ceremonies were strictly regulated and had deep cultural roots.

Nowadays, the plant is increasingly used as a psychoactive substance. In many countries, especially in the Western world, Aztec sage is consumed for its hallucinogenic properties, often as a recreational drug. The effects can include strong hallucinations and altered states of consciousness that affect both visual and auditory perception (1,2). Forms of consumption range from smoking the dried leaves to chewing fresh leaves or placing extracts under the tongue.

What benefits could Aztec sage offer?

There are not many clinical studies on the effects of Aztec sage, which is why the scientifically substantiated benefits of the plant have not yet been conclusively proven. The existing investigations focus mainly on the plant's psychoactive properties. Nevertheless, some scientific reports and ethnopharmacological studies point to potential health and therapeutic benefits:

  • Psychoactive and therapeutic effects: The main active compound of Aztec sage, Salvinorin A, is a powerful hallucinogen that stands out through its action on the kappa opioid receptors in the brain. This unique effect distinguishes it from other hallucinogens. Some researchers have shown interest in Salvinorin A for the investigation of possible therapeutic applications, including the treatment of conditions such as depression, anxiety, and pain relief (1,2,3).
  • Possible neuroprotective properties: Some studies suggest that Salvinorin A could have a neuroprotective effect by reducing neuronal damage and could thus potentially influence neurodegenerative diseases. However, this hypothesis requires further research and clinical studies (4,5).
  • Antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory effects: While research on these aspects is still limited, some preclinical investigations suggest that Salvinorin A may exhibit anti-inflammatory properties (6,7).

Active compounds and mechanism of action

The main active compound of Aztec sage is Salvinorin A, an extremely powerful hallucinogen. In contrast to other well-known hallucinogens such as LSD or psilocybin, Salvinorin A acts on the kappa opioid receptors in the brain. This leads to intense but short-lived psychoactive experiences. Due to its unique chemical structure, Salvinorin A is one of the most potent natural hallucinogens, even though it does not affect the classic serotonin receptors like other hallucinogens do.

Safety concerns and side effects

The consumption of Aztec sage is not without risks. Side effects can occur, particularly at high doses, including dizziness, confusion, nausea, and paranoia. Hallucinations accompanied by intense, often frightening visual and auditory perceptions are also common symptoms. Because of these potential dangers, the consumption of Salvia divinorum is banned or heavily regulated in some countries.

Precautions and contraindications

  • Pregnancy and breastfeeding: There is insufficient information about the safety of Aztec sage during pregnancy and breastfeeding. For this reason, pregnant and breastfeeding women should avoid its consumption.
  • Interactions: To date, no significant interactions between Aztec sage and other medications or dietary supplements have been documented. However, this does not necessarily mean much when few studies on its effects exist in general. In light of this, it is advisable to consult a physician before taking it in order to rule out possible risks.

Conclusion

Aztec sage is a plant with a long history of spiritual and medicinal use that has received increasing attention in recent decades due to its hallucinogenic effects. While it traditionally held deep significance in ritual contexts, today it is used predominantly as a recreational drug. Because of its strong psychoactive effects and potential side effects, Aztec sage should be consumed with caution. Scientific data on the plant's efficacy and safety are currently still limited.

Sources:

  1. Coffeen, U., & Pellicer, F. (2019). Salvia divinorum: from recreational hallucinogenic use to analgesic and anti-inflammatory action. Journal of pain research, 12, 1069–1076. https://doi.org/10.2147/JPR.S188619
  2. Maqueda, A. E., Valle, M., Addy, P. H., Antonijoan, R. M., Puntes, M., Coimbra, J., Ballester, M. R., Garrido, M., González, M., Claramunt, J., Barker, S., Johnson, M. W., Griffiths, R. R., & Riba, J. (2015). Salvinorin-A Induces Intense Dissociative Effects, Blocking External Sensory Perception and Modulating Interoception and Sense of Body Ownership in Humans. The international journal of neuropsychopharmacology, 18(12), pyv065. https://doi.org/10.1093/ijnp/pyv065
  3. Doss, M.K., May, D.G., Johnson, M.W. et al. The Acute Effects of the Atypical Dissociative Hallucinogen Salvinorin A on Functional Connectivity in the Human Brain. Sci Rep 10, 16392 (2020). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-020-73216-8
  4. Cichon, J., Liu, R., & Le, H. V. (2022). Therapeutic Potential of Salvinorin A and Its Analogues in Various Neurological Disorders. Translational perioperative and pain medicine, 9(2), 452–457.
  5. Roth, B. L., Baner, K., Westkaemper, R., Siebert, D., Rice, K. C., Steinberg, S., Ernsberger, P., & Rothman, R. B. (2002). Salvinorin A: a potent naturally occurring nonnitrogenous kappa opioid selective agonist. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America, 99(18), 11934–11939. https://doi.org/10.1073/pnas.182234399
  6. Coffeen, U., & Pellicer, F. (2019). Salvia divinorum: from recreational hallucinogenic use to analgesic and anti-inflammatory action. Journal of pain research, 12, 1069–1076. https://doi.org/10.2147/JPR.S188619
  7. Bigham, A. K., Munro, T. A., Rizzacasa, M. A., & Robins-Browne, R. M. (2003). Divinatorins A-C, new neoclerodane diterpenoids from the controlled sage Salvia divinorum. Journal of natural products, 66(9), 1242–1244. https://doi.org/10.1021/np030313i