Adolescent salvia substance abuse

Background Salvia divinorum is a non-water-soluble hallucinogen that is becoming increasingly popular among adolescents. Salvia is a highly selective full agonist of primate and cloned human cerebral kappa-opioid receptors, although its psychotomimetic effects are similar to serotonergic agonists and NMDA glutamate antagonists. Salvia has been associated with depersonalization, laughter, feelings of levitation and self-consciousness. These effects resolve within 30 minutes following use. Salvia has been banned in many countries, although it remains legal and easily assessable over the internet in the United States. Case description A 15-year-old man with a history of salvia and marijuana use presented to psychiatric emergency services with acute onset of mental status changes characterized by paranoia, deja vu, blunted affect, thought blocking and slow speech of 3 days' duration. Conclusion There is limited literature discussing the clinical effects of salvia use. Based on this case presentation, salvia use may be associated with many undocumented long-term effects such as deja vu. The ease of use and increasing popularity of salvia requires further investigation into the clinical effects of salvia use.