Salvia for Drug Abuse and Addiction Research

Anti-addictive compounds that treat drug addiction are currently being researched at Victoria University in Wellington New Zealand and findings are that--Salvia Divinorum (a mexican herb and a powerful hallucinogen) contains a unique structure that will not bring forth the negative effects that modifying kappa opioid receptors typically cause. Salvia compounds are currently being used in tests for addiction prevention because unlike most hallocinogenics--the compounds in Salvia do not affect serotonin levels in the body. Normally, compounds nutoriously found in hallocinogens begin to alter ones serotonin immediately after consumption. Other hallucinogens are not an answer; affecting the receptors in the users brain and increasing the addicts seritonin levels, they are causing unwanted side effects that lead a recovering drug abuser to having more anxiety than before and harsh stomach nausea. These unwanted side effects have brought researchers and chemists to seeking out the Salvia compounds due to the milder and less extreme side effects associated with use. Could this be a form of drug abuse and addiction treatment that battles hard drugs like Cocaine and Meth? We think so, and are following the latest research from Doctor Bronwyn Kivell, a senior lecturer at the university.

More information about Dr. Kivell's Salvia Drug Abuse Research

Kivell is currently conducting this research by screening Salvia compounds, among others, for their qualities that disassociates them with addiction. Along with the collaboration of a medical chemist (located at another University in the United States) and Susan Schenk (Kivell's college and a Professor) at the Wellington University; her findings may conclude what we hope to prove as true--that the research finds non-addictive Salvia Divinorum useful in drug addiction treatment. While Kivell has been studying drugs with respect to neuroscience for quite some time she is very curious on discovering more about the effects of a Salvia trip--asking Salvia Users to share their experiences in an online questionaire dedicated to her study. We urge experienced Salvia users to participate in her study by taking her 5-15 min survey and telling her your positive experiences with the herb. So it seems, her initial findings are that the risks are unknown and that some people find Salvia use to be a pleasant experience while most go into a panic--as we've stated before in the Club13 Salvia blog, new users should be mentally prepared for a truely hallucinogenic experience.

Overcome Addiction with non-serotonin altering Salvia

Having never embarked on a real hallucinogenic experience, we aren't surprised if new users report it to cause them severe panic. Experienced users, more prepared for the trip to come claim it to be euphoric and out of this world immediately after ingestion and a pleasant easy-going high only an hour or so later. Anyway, the herbal trip is one that previous meth and cocaine users would have to agree, has no traditional "low" when the high is over. In closing, we have high hopes that this research will bring recovering addicts a non-addictive, non-serotonin altering alternative to treat their cravings: Sally D straight from Mexico brought to you direct from Club13.

References:
Salvia Study. Updated November 2011. www.victoria.ac.nz
Research Helping Combat Drug Addiction. January 2012. www.voxy.co.nz