Bath Salts have nothing to do with Epsom salts or anything else that is put in a bathtub. The term “bath salts” refer to the family of drugs containing one or more synthetic chemicals related to cathinone, an amphetamine-like stimulant found naturally in the Khat plant. These synthetic recreational drugs are typically made from MDPV, or methylenedioxypyrovalerone.
Bath salts emerged at the end of the last decade, they rapidly gained popularity in the U.S. and Europe as “legal highs.” In October 2011, the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration placed three common synthetic cathinones under emergency ban pending further investigation, and in July 2012, President Obama signed legislation permanently making two of them—mephedrone and MDPV—illegal along with several other synthetic drugs often sold as marijuana substitutes. The term “bath salts” refers to the family of drugs containing one or more synthetic chemicals related to cathinone, an amphetamine-like stimulant found naturally in the Khat plant.
People can take bath salts in a number of ways, by snorting it, injecting it, or even mixing it in food. The bath salts user experiences agitation, paranoia, hallucinations, chest pain, increased pulse, high blood pressure, and suicidal thinking/behavior. The suicidal tendency can last for some time after the stimulant effects wear off. The science is unsettled as to whether bath salts are addictive, but it is noted that stimulant drugs in general tend to make people crave after more of them.
Currently the Synthetic Drug Abuse Prevention Act makes the possession of MDPV and even goes one step further to prohibit chemically similar “analogues” of the named drugs. However history shows us that manufacturers will create new drugs different enough from the banned substances to avoid legal restrictions.
The American Association of Poison Control Center advises if one believes someone has taken bath salts to call the nearest poison control center to ascertain whether the person needs quick medical attention. In 2012 poison centers took 2,691 calls concerning bath salts exposures.
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