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‘Bath Salts’ is a general term that is used to describe multiple recreational synthetic drugs. The name bath salts is given to these drugs because they were sold under the disguise of true bath salts. The drug comes in white power, granules and crystals that appear to be similar with actual bath salts but in reality, they are very different in both chemical composition and function. The drug has often also been disguised as plant food etc to avoid drug regulation authorities. Bath salts can be addictive and harmful just like any other drug so it is important to regulate and control their usage.
Bath salts are synthetic drugs chemically related to cathione. Cathione is a chemical naturally found in Khat plant while in bath salts, synthetic cathiones are present. The leaves of Khat plant are often chewed by people because of the stimulating effects of cathione present in it. Synthetic cathiones are much stronger and can produce a significant high feeling. Bath salts are included in a group of drugs named as ‘New Proactive Substances or NPS’. These drugs are newly available in the market and are still unregulated. Bath salts are used as a cheap alternative to other psychoactive drugs such as MDMA, meth and cocaine. Synthetic cathiones are usually available in the form of white or brown crystalline powder or pallets. They are sometimes sold in small plastic bags or foil packaging with ‘not for human consumption’ written on them. They are also often disguised as phone screen cleaner, jewelry cleaner etc and can be bought online. A number of other street names and nicknames are also given to the drug such as:
Excessive use of bath salts results into severe intoxication. They are associated with a number of dangerous physical and psychological effects. Evidence suggests that people may also become very aggressive and violent after the use of this drug. Some people may end up buying bath salts falsely sold as MDMA. There are a number of ways bath salts can be consumed in, such as:
Snorting or injecting the drug may prove to be the most harmful methods since greater chance of overdosing the drug is associated with them.
Synthetic cathiones can be highly addictive compounds. The users have reported becoming dependent on the drug. Severe cravings and withdrawal symptoms kick in when an attempt is made to quit the drug. Some of the withdrawal symptoms associated with the drug include:
Bath salts have been known to cause extremely high feeling and people getting out of control after their usage. The effects produced by bath salts may include agitation, hallucinations, extreme chest pain, paranoia, increased pulse rate, high blood pressure and in some cases, even suicidal tendencies.
Suicidal tendencies may persist even after the high produced by the drug has gone away. There have even been some cases of suicide committed by synthetic cathione users.
It is pretty much possible to overdose on bath salts when they are taken in high amounts. Severe physical and psychological damage is associated with bath salts overdose and in rare cases, even death. Also, the addict is at a high risk of harming himself or other people around him due to the extreme psychological symptoms produced by the drug.
The death because of bath salts overdose may result due to one of the following reasons:
The signs and symptoms of bath salt overdose may include:
If a person is spotted with one or more above mentioned symptoms, immediate medical care should be provided.
Bath salts are among the drugs whose use still needs to be regulated. Here are a few facts and figures on the abuse and addiction of bath salts.
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