Dose-related effects of salvinorin A in humans: dissociative, hallucinogenic, and memory effects.
Level 2 - randomized trial
Individual double-blind, placebo-controlled trial
PubMed 23135605 · doi:10.1007/s00213-012-2912-9
What was done
In a double-blind, placebo-controlled study, 8 healthy adults with past hallucinogen use inhaled up to 16 ascending doses of salvinorin A (0.375–21 μg/kg). Physiological, behavioral, and subjective effects were measured every 2 minutes for 60 minutes after administration. Qualitative subjective effects were assessed at session end using retrospective questionnaires, and persisting effects were evaluated at 1-month follow-up.
What was found
Salvinorin A produced dose-related subjective, behavioral, and cognitive effects that peaked at 2 minutes and rapidly dissipated. High doses frequently produced maximal drug strength ratings or unresponsiveness. Salvinorin A caused dose-related dissociative effects and impairments in recall and recognition memory, with qualitative effects partially overlapping with classic serotonergic hallucinogens. The abstract reports no numerical values or effect sizes. No evidence of persisting adverse effects was observed at 1 month.
Why it matters
This study provides controlled human characterization of the selective kappa-opioid agonist salvinorin A, establishing its rapid time-course and distinct profile of dissociative and amnestic effects.
Limits
The sample size was very small (n = 8) and restricted to experienced hallucinogen users. Doses were administered in ascending order rather than fully randomized order, and no quantitative data or effect sizes are provided in the abstract.
Cited by
- supports The subjective effects of inhaled Salvinorin A last less than 10 minutes, with individuals returning completely to baseline within 20 minutes.