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MPRC Fact Sheet: Bath Salts

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What are bath salts?

Bath salts, also marketed as plant food, fertilizer, and insect repellants, provide a high similar to cocaine or amphetamines. While their chemical content is usually not stated, lab tests have found the chemicals MPDV, Mephedrone, and Methylone to be common ingredients. These products are often sold over the Internet or at stores that sell drug paraphernalia and are marketed as “not for human consumption” in an attempt to avoid liability.[1]

Bath salts are commonly swallowed or snorted, and to a lesser extent smoked or injected. The duration of effects vary depending on the route of administration, but can last anywhere from 10 minutes to 7 hours. Redosing is quite common and can have a dramatic effect on the duration of the drug. Taking multiple doses of the drug also increases the chance of experiencing negative effects and eventual addiction. [2]

Product names:

Bath salts are sold under a variety of names including, Arctic Blast, Bliss, Blue Magic, Bonsai Grow, Cloud Nine, Energizing Aromatherapy Powder, Euphoria, Ivory Wave, Ocean Snow, Red Dove, Stardust, Tranquility, Vanilla Sky, White Lightning, and Zoom.

A Growing Concern:

In 2010, the American Association of Poison Control Centers reported 303 call related to bath salts. In 2011, between the months of January and August, the number of calls has skyrocketed to 4,720. [3]

Common Symptoms of Use:

The most commonly reported adverse reaction in emergency department visits include [4]:

  • Agitation -- 66% of visits.
  • Rapid Heart Rate -- 63% of visits.
  • Delusions/Hallucinations -- 40% of visits.
  • Seizures/Tremors -- 29% of visits.
  • Very High Blood Pressure -- 23% of visits.
  • Paranoia -- 20% of visits.

Sources:

[1] DEA. (2011, September 07). DEA moves to emergency control synthetic stimulants. Retrieved from http://www.justice.gov/dea/pubs/pressrel/pr090711.html

[2] DEA. (2011, July). Synthetic cathinones (bath salts): An emerging domestic threat. Retrieved from
http://www.justice.gov/ndic/pubs44/44571/44571p.pdf

[3] American Association of Poison Control Centers. (2011, September 08). Bath salts data. Retrieved from http://www.aapcc.org/dnn/portals/0/Bath%20Salts%20Data %20for%20Website%209.08.2011.pdf

[4] Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2011, May 20). Emergency department visits after use of a drug sold as “Bath Salts” – Michigan, November 13, 2010 – March 31, 2011. Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report, 60(19). 624-627. Retrieved from www.cdc.gov/mmwr/preview/mmwrhtml/mm6019a6.htm