Controlling salvia.

• Position: TRENDS AND TRANSITIONS - Brief article

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In recent years, the drug Salvia divinorum, or Salvia, has gained the attention of state legislators. It's an herb related to mint, and native to parts of Mexico, where it has been used as part of indigenous religious rituals. Common ways of ingesting it include infusing it into a tea, smoking dried leaves and chewing it.

In the United States, the use of Salvia is most common among 18- to 25-year-olds and to a much lesser extent among younger adolescents. The psychoactive effects of Salvia are hallucinogenic and vary based on the method of ingestion. For example, smoking Salvia can lead to strong, instantaneous effects, whereas chewing it or drinking tea can lead to longer lasting, but milder, reactions. Some common effects include uncontrollable laughter, visions, feelings of sadness and loss of physical coordination.

So far, there has been limited study into the long-term effects of Salvia, its potential for addiction or abuse, or its potential medicinal benefits. Initial studies have found that, since Salvia increases dopamine levels in the brain, it contains the potential to be addictive. Other studies, though, have found that Salvia may have some medicinal value in treating gastrointestinal disorders.

No federal laws control or regulate...