Clinical use odf Salvia Divinorum
http://www.maps.org/news-letters/v13n1/13118han.html

In December, 1997, following discussions some months earlier concerning the possible healing potential of various plant substances in psychiatric conditions, a treatment-resistant depressed patient (Ms. G) under the care of the author reported the serendipitous management of her symptoms of depression with use of Salvia divinorum obtained via a mail-order herbal supplier (Hanes, 2001). Despite initial caution, the author has treated several patients with refractory (or treatment-resistant) depression since that time, adapting to varying circumstances and requirements the broad protocol followed by Ms. G in the self-management of her symptoms of depression, namely oral dose of 2-3 Salvia divinorum leaves (1/2 to 3/4 of a gram of leaf material) three times per week. Prior to the prohibition of Salvia divinorum in Australia in June 2002, I had introduced the herb to six additional patients, five of whom have provided valuable feedback regarding their use. I have also had contact with over 20 individuals from around the world who report beneficial effects of this herb in their lives, including relief from depressive symptoms.

Although it is too early to draw definitive conclusions regarding the antidepressant potential of Salvia divinorum, initial results are promising, with the majority of patients reporting lasting benefits from their use of this herb. In addition to significantly reduced scores on quantitative measures of depression, some of the reported benefits of the herb include mood enhancement and increased feelings of relaxation and self-awareness. In the case of a severely depressed 24-year old patient, who has since discontinued use of the herb, the use of Salvia divinorum over several months stimulated an ongoing interest in meditation and hypnogogic/hypnopompic states. The author has received no reports of any deleterious effects arising from the use of this herb. Only occasional feelings of 'lightheadedness' have been reported as a side effect, with some patients also expressing dislike for the bitter flavor of the leaf material.

Personally, at first , i found Salvia to be utterly apocalyptic, unfortunately having come across the concentrated extracts before trying the more manageable raw leaf material, but despite this, using lower levels of raw Salvia leaf every few weeks seems to have allowed me to overcome moderate level depression that has plagued me for over 15 years.
Psilocybin mushrooms used in infrequently, in a conducive environment have a similar long term life-positive effect in my experience , but Salvia seems to be extremely business-like in focussing straight in on the dysfunctions which perpetuate depression (and, anecdotally , adddictive behaviour, which may be related)
A chance to cut, is a chance to cure......perhaps not to be recommended to everyone, but it works for me, though i really don't understand yet how it works, i admit.

I can say without a doubt it WORKS!!! My wife foudn out about Salvia because some radio station was talking about the stupid kids on youtube. Well I had been looking into any alternative to prescription meds, because NONE of them worked more then 60% effectiveness in treating my depression. I tried Cannabis in CA but because of my combined anxiety it was NOT a good thing for me.

Then I found research by Dr. Roth in Chapel Hill NC, and the report of the woman in austrailia and decided to try the low dose approach.

To describe it, my experience has been 99%the same every time I have tried. I go to a quite dark room and put on some ambient music from sonomafm and lay down on my back with my legs slighty elevated. I then relax a bit, and then take 1-3 leaves (more towards 2-3) that have been rehydrated in (sprite, coke something sweet) and place them in my mouth. I chew about every 10 seconds or so, moving the salvia from left side to right side of my mouth then storing under my tongue for awhile.

Then what I can describe as waking dreams begin to happen with my eyes closed. The music tends to highten this experience. The dreams so far have been memories I have not expected to recall from my past/childhood.

One incident in particular I had only been told about, I was 2 years old (this was in the 70's) and was being carried by my mom on her back in a lake swimming. I was told I slipped away, and because of my moms screams another woman swam over and dived down with my mom and the lady found me and puled me up initialy by my hair. When I was removed from the lake I was head to toe blue, my heart had slowed and my breathing was very slow as well.

Up until I tried salvia I harbored a suspicion that my mom tried to kill me that day, as I grew up with her having Bipolar disorder. I could never understand the scenario and had a lot of despair and anger around the event. Feeling I should have died that day. Then while using Salvia this memory came back to me fully. I could see, hear, taste and smell everything as if it had just happened. I knew it was genuine because the details were too vivid. The dream started with me hearing laughter cut in and out. I tried to focus on what was making the laughter and why it was cutting out. Then I felt the water on my ears. I was hearing a lot of other people PLAYING in the lake and laughing. My mom was there and she was smiling, I could see the sun on her sholder and the water coming up and down up to my nose as she was swimming above water. I then felt a slip and the dream went black I could not remember any thing else.

I came away from my meditation with a completly HEALED memory. There was no more pain, my mind felt relief and content that I had just experienced the event more objectively then I could have ever done trying to recall it myself. I could feel my subconcious forgive her, I felt peace about it.

After meditaion, I'm left with a bit of a buzz feeling in my head (kind of like having a glass of wine on an empty stomache). When the main effect of salvia is gone I'm left with a feeling that last about a day and a half to two days. I sometimes describe my depression like having a lead weight on my chest (you know like at a dentist office). It's a defininate physical feeling that I live with and while feeling it can't explain why I'm depressed. Well the feeling after Saliva is this weight is lifted off of me!

The first time I felt this it was a bit unsettling. My mind wanted the depression back! I guess it had become accustomed to it for so long any change felt like danger wanring going off.

I got a little to happy after my first experience, because I had NEVER felt normal for a VERY VERY long time (since my youth).

So I've tried it about 5 times so far and the effects are the same. No bad side effects, a chance to relax and meditate, and then a period of recovery and healing. I've never been a tree huger type of person, but now a feel as if I have a special bond with not only Salvia but all plants and people.

So now this has come across to absolute strangers I met after using and I have made more friends then I ever have before just by going to places like Wal-Mart. I guess my face no longer looks sad and people instantly/subconciously pick up on that and smile back. I now love to hear other people tell me about what they are doing, and I try to make them feel better if they are having a problem or are just in a bad mood. All I have spoken to have responded positivly and have turned out to be great people that just needs someone to smile and listen.

It works and soon I will be dicussing with some doctors about a study. But do your research and speak with your doctor first as you maybe taking something that could have a bad effect with Salvia.

May you find the love and peace of God's blessings to everyone. Listen to your heart and to him!

had zero affect on me (effect/affect dont know which one to use)

I have done it before. Someone convinced me that it was bought over the counter at a headshop. I took one hit(smoking) I lost all of physical surroundings. I a m guessing it alsted for about 3-4 minutes. I was pisses. It's bullshit and it should not be sold. Very dangerous. I always think of some dumb kids road cruising and passing it to the driver. FATAL mistake.

I don't know what other uses they have for it, but it should'nt be used for the purposes over the counter that it's intended for. They might as well hand out hits of LSD. Same damn thing only worse. Its a sudden response yet a shortet trip.

This is the 2nd time someone from DS asked this question Hmmmmmmm.

Are youi thinking or trying it or just putting it up for sale at the DS store. LOL

I smoked it a few times, I think the effect you get depends on what type you use. Once in a friend's basement we each smoked it, John TrAvolta (in the movie Mad City) came out of the bigscreen tv and explained some universal truth to me, my friend got really frustrated and upset and started kicking a bottle saying let me the fuck out.
Each time after I did it I felt mildly poisoned, but I honestly might do it again

Is it the 2nd time someone has asked this question? Look at the date of the OP. It's a really old post.

ohhhhh lol