{
  "id": 3768106,
  "title": "The hallucinogenic plant Salvia divinorum relieves facial pain, study finds",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/27/the-hallucinogenic-plant-salvia-divinorum-relieves-facial-pain-study",
  "topic": "science",
  "section": "Science",
  "published": "2026-08-27T16:00:01.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "PsyPost",
    "slug": "psypost",
    "url": "https://www.psypost.org/a-hallucinogenic-mint-plant-relieves-facial-pain-in-mice/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Scientists have discovered that a compound found in the hallucinogenic mint plant Salvia divinorum can relieve facial pain in mice. This finding provides a biological explanation for the plant's historical use in indigenous medicine and could lead to new treatments for persistent nerve pain, also known as trigeminal pain. Trigeminal pain is a disabling condition that often doesn't respond to standard treatments. In Oaxaca, Mexico, traditional healers have long used a tea made from the leaves of Salvia divinorum to alleviate conditions like headaches and rheumatism. Researchers focused on the plant's primary active ingredient, salvinorin A, which interacts with specific receptors in the nervous system. They found that salvinorin A affects two key receptors concentrated in facial sensory nerves: the cannabinoid type 1 receptor, which responds to cannabis, and the transient receptor potential vanilloid 1, which senses heat and pain. Both receptors are located in the face's sensory nerves, making them logical targets for pain relief. The study involved injecting mice with formalin to induce mild trigeminal pain, then administering varying doses of either the whole plant extract or purified salvinorin A. Both treatments significantly reduced the mice's rubbing behavior, a common response to facial pain. The purified salvinorin A was much more potent, requiring only about one-tenth the dose of the full extract to achieve the same pain relief. The researchers then blocked specific receptors in mice to determine which ones salvinorin A targeted. Blocking either the cannabinoid or vanilloid receptors stopped salvinorin A from reducing pain, confirming the compound's dependence on these receptors. Additional tests in isolated nerve tissue confirmed that salvinorin A alters nerve activity through these specific receptors. The study also found that while salvinorin A effectively reduced pain, it didn't cause other behavioral side effects like increased anxiety or motor impairment.",
  "summary": "A compound extracted from a hallucinogenic mint plant used in traditional Mexican medicine reduces facial nerve pain in mice. The findings reveal the biological mechanism behind the plant's historic use and highlight a potential target for future pain treatments.",
  "key_points": [
    "Salvia divinorum compound salvinorin A relieves facial pain in mice.",
    "Salvinorin A interacts with cannabinoid and vanilloid receptors in facial nerves.",
    "Purified salvinorin A is more potent than whole plant extract for pain relief."
  ],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}