Salvinorin A

SalvinorinA is a κ-opioid receptor agonist and hallucinogen and is the main active constituent in Salvia divinorum (also known as diviner's sage, ska maría pastora, or simply salvia). It is usually taken via inhalation such as smoking or via oral administration.

The drug is structurally distinct from other naturally occurring hallucinogens (such as dimethyltryptamine (DMT), psilocybin, ergine (LSA), and mescaline), for instance containing no nitrogenatoms; hence, it is not an alkaloid (and cannot be rendered as a salt), but rather is a terpenoid. It also differs in subjective experience, compared to other hallucinogens, and has been described as having strong dissociative-esque effects.

Salvinorin A can produce psychoactive experiences in humans with a typical duration of action being several minutes to an hour or so, depending on the route of administration.

Salvinorin A is found with several other structurally related salvinorins. Salvinorin is a trans-neoclerodanediterpenoid. It is the first known compound acting as a κ-opioid receptor agonist that is not an alkaloid.