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January 17, 2011

Salvia, Schizophrenia and Psychopaths

"Several of Jared’s friends said he used marijuana, mushrooms
and, especially, the hallucinogenic herb called Salvia divinorum. When smoked or chewed, the plant can cause brief but intense highs.... He became intrigued by antigovernment conspiracy theories, including that the Sept. 11 attacks were perpetrated by the government and that the country’s central banking system was enslaving its citizens. His anger would well up at the sight of President George W. Bush, or in discussing what he considered to be the nefarious designs of government." -- Behind Jared Loughner’s Mug-Shot Grin - NYTimes.com

Regarding Salvia divinorum, Wikipedia notes There has been one report of salvia precipitating psychosis. However, the authors suspected that their patient was already genetically predisposed to schizophrenia.

Posted by Vanderleun at January 17, 2011 8:33 AM. This is an entry on the sideblog of American Digest: Check it out.

Your Say

Damn, this guy just REEKS of tea party...
Or cannabis...

Posted by: Uncle Jefe at January 17, 2011 9:32 AM

About ten years ago I tried Salvia. It is a spectacular experience, but no sane person ever does it a second time. Furthermore, it is hideously dangerous, as it leaves the user in a state where he literally does not know where he is, or what is happening to him. I can't imagine what the experience would do to someone already over the edge- well, on second thought, I guess I can.

JWM

Posted by: jwm at January 17, 2011 6:03 PM

This is indeed curious. I have ingested boatloads of saliva, mostly my own, with no ill effect.

Posted by: Blastineau at January 17, 2011 7:19 PM

My Irksome Middle Child danced with that devil, too, JWM, and you are correct. I never felt so helpless as I did watching her come off that, and she only did it once, but her words were almost exactly what yours were about it.
And Blastineau...you made me spit take...and I swallowed it hard, now I have another coughing jag. I need a cough drop now, blast you.

Posted by: Jewel at January 17, 2011 7:56 PM

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