Salvinorin A in humans: A systematic review of pharmacokinetics, pharmacodynamics, and safety.
Level 1 - systematic review of randomized trials
Systematic review of human clinical trials
PubMed 42638533 · doi:10.1177/02698811261473385
What was done
Authors systematically searched PubMed, Web of Science, and EMBASE through January 18, 2026, to synthesize human studies on the pharmacokinetics, pharmacodynamics, safety, and long-term effects of salvinorin A. The review included 12 clinical trials comprising 174 participants.
What was found
Most studies administered salvinorin A by inhalation (0.375–21 µg/kg or 0.2–12 mg) to healthy, hallucinogen-experienced volunteers. Inhaled salvinorin A demonstrated onset within seconds, peak effects at 1–2 minutes, and resolution within 30 minutes. Sublingual dosing in two studies had slower onset and longer duration; oral dosing in one study was inactive. No serious adverse events were reported. Physiological parameters were mostly stable, with occasional mild increases in blood pressure and heart rate. Acute psychological distress, anxiety, and disorientation occurred in subsets of participants alongside positive subjective changes. Long-term adverse effects were rare, and abuse potential appeared low.
Why it matters
This review synthesizes the human clinical pharmacology of salvinorin A, outlining a distinct, ultra-rapid κ-opioid receptor profile compared to serotonergic psychedelics. It establishes basic safety and kinetic parameters to guide future controlled research into altered states of consciousness.
Limits
The total human evidence base is small (12 trials, 174 participants), and participants were largely healthy, hallucinogen-experienced individuals, limiting generalizability to wider or clinical populations. Route of administration and dosing were heterogeneous across trials, and the abstract omits specific numerical values for physiological changes or subjective effect sizes.
Cited by
- supports Salvinorin A acts as a kappa-opioid receptor agonist.