Plants of the Gods: Hallucinogens, Healing, Culture and Conservation podcast Plants of the Gods: S7E3. Part Two —The Ethnobotany of Salvia with Dr. Chris McCurdy
Jul 2, 2025
Dr. Christopher McCurdy, a leading medicinal chemist from the University of Florida, dives into the fascinating world of Salvia divinorum. He explains its surprising chemical properties and how salvinorin A interacts uniquely with kappa-opioid receptors. The conversation touches on traditional Mazatec healing practices and the herb's potent, often dysphoric effects. McCurdy also highlights the broader implications for therapeutic plant research and the importance of understanding whole-plant pharmacology in the quest for new psychiatric treatments.
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Salvinorin A's Surprising Chemistry
- Salvinorin A is a non-alkaloid, neutral neoclerodane diterpene that potently and selectively agonizes the kappa opioid receptor.
- Its lack of nitrogen or ionizable groups overturned textbook assumptions about opioid–receptor interactions.
Kappa Activation Explains Dysphoric Trips
- Kappa opioid receptor activation produces dysphoria rather than euphoria, explaining Salvia's often unpleasant effects despite intense hallucinations.
- Salvia remains arguably the most potent known hallucinogen while working via a non-serotonergic pathway.
Traditional Mazatec Use And Potency
- Mark Plotkin recounts taking Salvia in a traditional Mazatec shamanic setting and attests to its extreme potency.
- He emphasizes the cultural context where healers used it to diagnose or seek divine insight.