Evaluation of Herbal Dietary Supplements Marketed on the Internet for Recreational Use

Abstract

This study demonstrates that herbal DS are being marketed for use as legal alternatives to illicit drugs of abuse. Healthcare professionals need to be aware of this trend and the products that are involved.

Determination of salvinorin A and salvinorin B in Salvia divinorum-related products circulated in Japan

“…In recent years, this plant has been widely used as a herbal dietary supplement or a herbal hallucinogen due to internet trading [2]. Singh has reported a psychiatric emergency case with paranoia, dé jà vu, and blunted affect due to drug's abuse [3].…”

Salvia DivinorumUse among a College Student Sample

“…Besides the media coverage of the suicide, most reports on Salvia divinorum have tended to focus on the legality and availability of the drug (Dennehy, Tsourounis, & Miller, 2005;Halpern & Pope, 2001). Indeed, some have argued that the legality of the substance has been the main motivation behind experimentation of the drug (Davis, 2006;Drug Enforcement Administration, 2003).…”

“Legal highs” on the net—Evaluation of UK-based Websites, products and product information

“…These products can be purchased online [1] and from high street retailers known as ''head shops'' [2] and include herbal smoking mixtures, plant materials and extracts, and tablets or powders designed to mimic illicit drugs. In other countries these products are also known as ''herbal dietary supplements'' [3], ''herbal highs'' [1] and ''party pills'' [4].…”