Salvia and Miley Cyrus

As public figures, celebrities are under a lot of scrutiny for any behaviors or activities in which they engage (Read The Media’s Portrayal of Celebrity Addictions, Michael Jackson & Dangers of Prescription Drug Abuse and Hollywood’s Take on Addiction).  Teen idols, in particular, often have a significant amount of influence on their fans who are usually facing many temptations related to substance abuse during the highly impressionable period of adolescence (Read Teen Addiction and Rehab and Teens and Internet Pornography).  So many people were surprised when a video of Miley Cyrus – Disney’s Hannah Montana – surfaced showing the teen star inhaling salvia smoke from a bong (Read Drug Slang You Should Know and Recognizing Drug Paraphernalia).  Because of her position as a role model for many young adults and a face of Disney (which often promotes itself as family friendly), the incident sparked serious controversy.

What is Salvia?

Salvia is a psychoactive plant like marijuana; the actual species name is Salvia divinorum (Read Legalizing Marijuana: A Summary of the Debate and Morning Glories and Other Hallucinogenic Plants).  Other names it is known by include Seer’s Sage, Ska Maria Pastora, and Diviner’s Sage.  Native to a cloud forest area of Mexico, salvia can put a user into a dissociative state, which can lead to hallucinations and visions; for this reason, it has commonly been used in a number of cultural and religious rituals.  The plant is legal in many states including California so Cyrus did not commit any crime by using it (Read When Drugs Lead to Other Problems). 

What are the effects of Salvia?

Users report unique visual experiences, intense recollection of memories from the past, laughter, feeling as if they are in motion, and perceptions of multiple events at different locations simultaneously.

How common is Salvia use in the United States?

According to the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration’s (SAMHSA) 2006 National Survey on Drug Use and Health, nearly 1.8 million Americans (age 12+) have used salvia during their lives (Read How Americans Perceive Addicts and Addiction and SAMHSA: Government Resources for Addiction at samhsa.gov).  Among minors, males had used it more often during the previous year period.  However, it was most popular as a recreational drug among the 18 to 25 age group.  Salvia is commonly administered by smoking or chewing, or as a concentrated tincture (Read Method of Administration: Why “How” Matters).

Is Salvia dangerous?

Although it is legal in many places, salvia has been the source of other controversies as well.  One that caught significant media attention in 2006 was related to a teenager’s suicide after using the substance for a period of months (Read Suicide and Substance Abuse: Know the Risks and Parents & Pills: Unintentional Drug Dealers).  The aftermath led to new legislation in Delaware that added the substance to Schedule I on Delaware’s controlled substances list, making it illegal to prescribe, possess, or use in the state (Read Drug Scheduling and the DEA).  Still, others argue that the substance has low addictive potential, and research on the long-term effects is inconclusive. 

Should I be concerned about my teen’s use of Salvia?

As mentioned, the long-term effects are inconclusive yet controversial.  However, you should pay attention to a young adult’s use of any substance as well as the company they keep to ensure that they do not continue to experiment with other, potentially more detrimental substances (Read Parent Liability for Underage Drinking and Gateway Drugs: What They Are and Why They Matter).