Salvia Divinorum is a very unusual herb in that it seems to affect people in many different ways. Some people are very sensitive to Salvia and find that they will experience mind blowing visuals simply from filling a bong with salvia and smoking it. However others seem to have a higher tolerance and do not seem to get the same effects from simply smoking salvia leaf. For people like this there is salvia extract which comes in 5x 10x and even up to 20x the strength of untreated salvia leaf. These products should be treated with respect and only used if untreated leaf yields no results.

As has already been stated the effects of salvia can vary greatly from person to person so this guide will only give you an idea of how you should feel after smoking it.

A quiet room is recommended and it is better to ensure all potential disturbances are dealt with before you begin your session ie (disconnect phone, make sure no-ones due to come round etc).

Once your salvia has been inhaled as mentioned ín the smoking salvia section the best effects will be felt if you are comfortably seated or lying down. Once you have finished smoking the Salvia be sure to quickly put away your bong and lighter before you begin your journey.

Closing your eyes and staying relaxed is the best way to proceed after smoking salvia. A lot of people experience amazing visuals and even perceptions of space and time distortions, sometimes visiting places of unimaginable beauty and depth. You may feel yourself merge with inanimate objects and find yourself thinking as another entity. For others the effects can be more subtle and intriguing, different thought processes may give you a new perspective on things.

It is important to remember that one you have finished smoking and are experiencing the closed eye visuals from salvia you will not be capable of doing much else.

It is useful to have a scale to describe salvia experiences. One such rating scale is based on the mnemonic S-A-L-V-I-A.

The scale describes six different levels of effects, each one more intense than the previous. The overall intensity of a salvia experience is scored according to the highest scale level attained during the course of the experience.
S-A-L-V-I-A Experiential Rating Scale

Level -1 "S stands for SUBTLE effects." A feeling that "something" is happening, although it is difficulty to say just what. Relaxation and increased sensual appreciation may be noted. This mild level is useful for meditation and may facilitate sexual pleasure.

Level - 2 "A stands for ALTERED perception." Colors and textures are paid attention to. Appreciation of music may be enhanced. Space may appear of greater or lesser depth than is usual. But visions do not occur at this level. Thinking becomes less logical, and more playful; short term memory difficulties are may be noted.

Level - 3 "L" stands for LIGHT visionary state." Closed eye visuals (clear imagery with eyes closed: fractal patterns, vinelike and geometric patterns, visions of objects and designs). The imagery is often two dimensional. If open eyed visual effects occur these are usually vague and fleeting. At this level phenomena similar to the hypnagogic phenomena that some people experience at sleep onset occur. At this level visions are experienced as "eye candy" but are not confused with reality.

Level - 4 "V stands for VIVID visionary state." Complex three dimensional realistic appearing scenes occur. Sometimes voices may be heard. With eyes open contact with consensual reality will not be entirely lost, but when you close your eyes you may forget about consensus reality and enter completely into a dreamlike scene. Shamanistic journeying to other lands, foreign or imaginary; encounters with beings, entities, spirits; or travels to other ages may occur. You may even live the life of another person. At this level you have entered the shaman's world. Or if you prefer you are in "dream time." With eyes closed you experience fantasies (dream like happenings, with a story line to them). So long as your eyes are closed you may believe they are really occurring. This differs from the "eye candy" closed eye imagery, of level 3.