Promised Effects: Bath Salts promise a stimulant effect similar to Methamphetamine or Cocaine, and have replaced Cocaine use throughout much of the Midwest. The user may feel energetic and alert with a strong sense of well being, Hallucinations may be experienced.
The Truth: Bath Salts can be eaten, smoked, snorted, injected or applied rectally and contain mixtures of synthetic cathinones such as MDPV and Mephedrone, though a number of other synthetic drugs may be present. When intended for snorting, a deadening agent like Lidocaine may be added to decrease the pain caused by the drug's action on the mucosa. The synthetic cathonines cause an increase in the production and retention of dopamine, serotonin, and norepinephrine in the brain, combining the worst effects of Meth and Cocaine, especially after the initial effects have worn off. Paranoia, deep depression, confusion, violent rage, difficulty breathing, fluctuating blood pressures and seizures can result, especially with continued use. Many victims of this drug become extremely violent to themselves and others and require general anesthesia, paralyzing medicines and placement on ventilator life support while under the effects of the drug.
Personal Notes from the Field: This can be one of the most frightening drugs to deal with in the community and the hospital setting. Some of the drugs present in Bath Salts are impossible to detect through common tests, and the violent behavior of many victims pose a real threat to Police, EMTs and hospital workers.
Because of the quickly changing nature of the chemicals used, research into the effects of Bath Salts is constantly ongoing. For more information, see:
National Institute on Drug Abuse - Bath Salts
