me either but aren't they smoking that synthetic crap?
no, this is a plant called salvia divinorum (spelling may be approximate). although the pure plant is usually not very strong; people usually smoke extracts- infusions of the active ingredient onto the natural plant material. so, assuming a safe extraction method, it is 'natural'- just a lot more powerful. and the high vaporization temp means a torch lighter and a bong are typical methods of smoke delivery.
the 'synthetics' you refer to are synthetic cannabinoids, i'd assume. they are very much like pot with more possible adverse effects. it's possible to have a bad time on them, but you don't lose touch with reality like when you use a hallucinagen (lsd, 'magic' mushrooms, salvia).
i've tried salvia and i've had a bad mushroom trip. the latter lasted a hell of a lot longer and was certainly not pleasurable but i'd STILL recommend it over salvia. just remember that if you're going to trip, HAVE SUPERVISION. period. hallucinagens can be a fucklot more dangerous than pot or alcohol depending on the person and the situation.