Author: John Carter

Bath salt drugs: What they are, effects, and overdose

Synthetic cathinones, more commonly known as bath salts, are human-made stimulants derived from cathinone, a substance found in thekhat plant. In its natural form, cathinone can produce mild stimulating effects. The synthetic version of the drug can cause life-threatening health problems. The initial stage of treatment manages the drug’s immediate side effects, including temperature regulation and aggression.

The labels may say the product is plant food or jewelry cleaner in an effort to deceive law enforcement. The packaging often saysthe product is not for human consumption. The Drug Enforcement Administration invoked its emergency scheduling authority to temporarily ban mephedrone, MDPV and methylone in October 2011.

Where Does the Name Bath Salts Come From?

There is a great risk for overdose because packages may contain up to 500 milligrams. Unlike Epsom salts, Dead Sea salts, or other types of salts you might use to game up your bath time, synthetic cathinones are a powerful and illegal drug. Synthetic cathinones is the scientific name for the drug commonly known as bath salts. Theeffects of bath salts can have devastating consequences on a person’s health. These drugs excite the central nervous system, which can affect heart function and blood pressure.

As ‘New Psychoactive Substances,’ the effects of bath salts are akin to MDMA or amphetamines. These drugs may cause a person to feel euphoria and alertness when ingested. However, they can also cause serious side effects, such as psychosis or death. Certain synthetic cathinones are used in medications to treat specific conditions.

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They give you a “high” that affects how you see others and the world around you. Their effects are similar to the effects of amphetamine and ecstasy (MDMA). Get cost-effective, quality addiction care that truly works.

Treatment for bath salt addiction while still under research, typically involves medication and therapy. Various treatment options are available for substance use disorders like bath salt addiction. If you or someone you know experiences these effects, visit the emergency department immediately. Overdosing on bath salts requires close medical monitoring due to a lack of antidote for overdose cases. Over time, this can lead to physical and psychological dependence as you seek the euphoric feeling the drug provides. Using bath salts can trigger intense cravings and lead to drug binges, making cessation challenging.

1. The total experience may last upwards of 8 hours or longer.1 Snorting and injecting the drug can be especially hazardous.
2. They contain types of synthetic cathinones, which are banned in the U.S.
3. When benzos and antipsychotics fail to calm someone intoxicated on bath salts, physical restraints may be necessary.
4. These legal minerals can be added to bath water to help ease stress and relax muscles.

Teens and young adults may be more likely to abuse and become addicted to Synthetic Cathinones after repeated use. Bath Salts are abused, as they have chemical structures similar to commonly abused Stimulants such as Cocaine or Meth. Some also have similarities to Hallucinogens such as Ecstasy.

This material is provided for educational purposes only and is not intended for medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Data sources include Micromedex (updated 3 Mar 2024), Cerner Multum™ (updated 4 Mar 2024), ASHP (updated 12 Feb 2024) and others. They contain types of synthetic cathinones, which are banned in the U.S.

Can science keep up with designer drugs?

The U.S. government passed the Synthetic Drug Abuse Prevention Act (SDAPA) in July 2012. This act listed mephedrone, methylone, and MDPV as Schedule I controlled substances. This is the most restrictive category of controlled substances. A person experiencing bath salt toxicity may also show psychological signs, such as aggression, psychosis, or violence. When in this state, a person may be at risk of harming themselves or other people. Containers of bath salts will also have warnings, such as “not suitable for human consumption.” Manufacturers do this in an attempt to avoid legal restrictions.

However, studies of rats have shown that animals will self-administer Synthetic Cathinones, indicating a compulsion to use the drug again and again. However, bath salts can also have serious adverse effects, including psychosis, violent behavior, and death. Read on to learn more about bath salts, how they affect a person’s body and mind, and where to get support for substance misuse. The effects of these drugs are particularly damaging to teens, whose brains are still developing. The 2017 Monitoring the Future survey found that some eighth-, 10th- and 12th-grade students reported that they used synthetic cathinones in the past year.

Street names for bath salts

Over 40 states have banned commonly abused Synthetic Cathinones. Bath Salts are also commonly referred to as Synthetic Cathinones because of their similarity to natural Cathinone, derived from the Khat plant. In 2012, calls about Bath Salts to poison control centers peaked with 2,697 and declined each year after that. Bath Salts are a category of man-made drugs with Stimulant-like effects that includes a number of chemical compounds in Synthetic Cathinones. BetterHelp can connect you to an addiction and mental health counselor. A person may also find it helpful to speak with their friends and family about their substance misuse.

You can get intense withdrawal symptoms when you stop taking them, which make it hard not to use again. Bath salts are sometimes used as a cheap substitute for stimulants like cocaine. Research shows that one common synthetic cathinone, called 3,4-methylenedioxypyrovalerone (MDPV), is 10 times stronger than cocaine. When benzos and antipsychotics fail to calm someone intoxicated on bath salts, physical restraints may be necessary. Bath salts are often sold at convenience stores in small plastic or foil packages weighing between 200 and 500 milligrams.

Bath Salts Addiction Symptoms

Treatment for a Bath Salts addiction is similar to what might be seen with other substance use disorders. Rehab centers typically employ behavioral therapy techniques such as cognitive behavioral therapy, motivational enhancement therapy, and contingency management. Those addicted to bath salts require professional help to support their recovery. Multiple types of regulated treatment are available to aid them in their journey.