Booming Popularity for Salvia Divinorum
Scientists are excited about a new drug that might help research into treatments for Alzheimer’s Schizophrenia and other such diseases. The drug in question? Salvia Divinorum.
Salvia Divinorum is a naturally occurring plant hailing from Mexico. When smoked – or when the liquid extract is prepared properly – the plant’s main active ingredient called Salvinorin A induces hallucinogenic affects akin to those experienced when using LSD. Salvia Divinorum is said to be the most potent naturally occurring hallucinogenic.
The drug effects certain discrete areas in the brain – “[it] seems to have absolute specificity for a single receptor site on the brain” says Dr. Bryan Roth of the Institute of Mental Health’s Psychoactive Drug Screening Program. The drug, it seems, works in the same place on the brain as morphine, heroin and other opium-based substances.
While the long-term effects of Salvia Divinorum are not yet fully understood, it is possible that the line between ‘good’ and ‘bad’ is yet again blurred into obscurity.
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