Salvia Divinorum and Ketamine Therapy | Tovani Health
Salvia divinorum (Salvinorin A) (also: Diviner's Sage) — Kappa-opioid receptor agonist (federally unscheduled, banned in many states)
Verdict at Tovani Health
Federally unscheduled but state-banned in many places; brief but intense, we space sessions from any use.
Salvia divinorum's active compound salvinorin A is a selective kappa-opioid receptor agonist. It produces a brief but intense dissociative experience when smoked (typically 5-15 minutes). Federal scheduling does not classify it as a controlled substance, but many states have banned it independently. The mechanism is genuinely different from classical psychedelics and from ketamine. We do not run a session in close proximity to use because the experiential load can be heavy and recovery is unpredictable.
If you take Salvia divinorum regularly and are considering at-home ketamine therapy, the combination is depends on your specific situation. This page covers the brief pharmacologic context and what we do at intake.
How Salvia divinorum interacts with ketamine
Salvinorin A selectively activates kappa-opioid receptors (KOR), unlike classical psychedelics (5-HT2A) or ketamine (NMDA). Ketamine has weak kappa-opioid activity of its own. The combination is unstudied. Salvia's effects are brief but can be intensely disorienting.
What we do at intake
Disclose any recent salvia use. We ask for at least 7 days between any salvia experience and a ketamine session. Check state legality if you're using it.
Bottom line
Salvia divinorum's active compound salvinorin A is a selective kappa-opioid receptor agonist. It produces a brief but intense dissociative experience when smoked (typically 5-15 minutes). Federal scheduling does not classify it as a controlled substance, but many states have banned it independently. The mechanism is genuinely different from classical psychedelics and from ketamine. We do not run a session in close proximity to use because the experiential load can be heavy and recovery is unpredictable.
Ready to find out if at-home ketamine fits your situation?
We’ll note that you’re on Salvia divinorum (Salvinorin A) at intake. The eligibility check takes 5 minutes and gives you an honest answer about whether at-home ketamine fits your specific situation.
FL and NJ residents only. Benjamin Soffer, DO — Tovani Health.
Clinically reviewed
Reviewed by Benjamin Soffer, DO on May 19, 2026. Dr. Soffer is a board-certified physician (American Board of Internal Medicine) licensed in Florida and New Jersey, prescribing at-home ketamine therapy through Tovani Health.
This page is general information about how this medication interacts with at-home ketamine therapy at Tovani Health. It is not a substitute for medical advice from your prescribing physician about your specific situation. Always discuss medication changes with the doctor who prescribed them.