There are so many drugs in the world that it may seem difficult to keep up with all of them. It seems like teens and young adults find a new way to get high every day. One drug that has been around for a while but has gained popularity recently is Salvia. Just like any other drug, it’s addictive and can cause some serious side effects.
What Is Salvia?
First, it’s important for people to know what Salvia is. Salvia is an herb that belongs to the mint family and grows naturally in southern Mexico. The herb has several alternative names such as:
- Diviner’s sage
- Magic mint
- Shepherdess's herb
- Maria pastora
- Seer’s sage
The active components within the herb can cause chemical changes in the brain. These changes cause hallucinations and other psychedelic effects.
How People Use Magic Mint
There are a number of ways that people use Salvia. The most common way is for people to chew the leaves of the herb. Chewing the leaves releases the chemicals within the leaves. Others blend the leaves to release the juices within them.
Some people also smoke this herb. To do this, they dry the leaves and roll them into a cigarette. It’s not uncommon for people to also put the leaves into hookahs and vaporizers.
Regardless of how people take the drug, the psychedelic effects don’t last long. Despite this, the effects of the herb are often frightening and intense.
Why Is This Herb Gaining Popularity?
There are a number of reasons why Salvia has become more popular as of late. The most likely reason is that this herb isn’t illegal under federal law. Many states do, however, have their own laws in regard to regulating salvia.
The Drug Enforcement Administration recently mentioned that they worry about the risk that salvia poses. Researchers have done a few studies on the dangers of this herb. With that said, experts believe that there are long-term effects for using magic mint.
Is This Herb Addictive?
The short answer is yes. However, experts don’t know just how addictive the drug is. Any drug that changes the chemical balance in the brain has the potential for abuse. People who use this drug alone or feel like they need the drug to feel normal may have an addiction.
What Happens to the Brain When People Take This Drug?
Experts are still studying exactly what happens to the brain when people use this herb. They know that the drug attaches to nerve cells in the brain. These are the same receptors in the brain that opioid drugs such as morphine and heroin affect.
In general, the effects of the drug last only about 30 minutes. Seeing things that aren’t really there is the most common side effect. However, some people also experience emotional mood swings and a feeling of detachment from their bodies.
Get Help for Magic Mint Addiction at Pinnacle Peak Recovery
At Pinnacle Peak Recovery, we put the needs of our clients first. We know that people stand a better chance of overcoming salvia addiction when they receive proper care. Our goal is to provide custom drug addiction treatment plans. Some different programs that we offer include:
- Cognitive behavioral therapy
- Holistic treatment
- Inpatient treatment
- Dialectical behavior therapy
- Intensive outpatient programs
Keeping stress down is an effective tool during the rehab process. Pinnacle Peak Recovery provides many ways to reduce stress such as meditation, yoga and Tai Chi.
Let Pinnacle Peak Recovery in Scottsdale, Arizona show you what it takes to overcome addiction. Come see why our drug and alcohol addiction treatment programs are second to none. Reach out to us today at 866-377-4761 for more information.