History of legal highs
Natural legal highs have been in existence for hundreds of years and it is only recent developments in technology that have boosted the market with synthetic versions.
Traditionally Salvia leaves were chewed in Mexico during spiritual and healing sessions. Salvia, which is part of the sage family, is chewed or smoked and generally the effects only last a few minutes. Peasants chewed Kratom, a medicinal leaf that originates from South East Asia, while they carried out menial tasks and was also used for its medicinal properties.
Since 2005, legal highs have become more popular and in recent years the rise of synthetic legal highs has reached new levels. This has led to Headshops, such as Shiva Head Shop, springing up, which sell herbs that mimic the effects of drugs, but are legal.
Herbal highs are strictly defined as plants that occur naturally and produce these effects, for example, Salvia. They are often smoked or chewed or sometimes made into a form of tea. Modern twists on these include Noz Kandy, which are a range of inhalers packed with naturally occurring herbs and natural oils, as well as Blotter Caps.
Synthetic legal highs do not occur naturally, but have been manufactured by chemical companies. Examples of synthetic legal highs include Snow Blow and Jungle High Energy Pills, which are available from Shiva Head Shop.
Legal highs, if used responsibly, are believed to have similar effects as some illegal drugs, but with fewer side effects. Another form of legal highs, also sold by Shiva, are Ethnobotanicals. These include Blue Lotus and Hawaiian Baby Woodrose and come under the category of naturally occurring legal highs. Egyptians typically used blue Lotus, soaked in wine, as a medicine. The flower was also sometimes smoked for a sedative effect.