DEA Drug Fact Sheet: “Bath Salts”

Synthetic stimulants, often referred to as “bath salts,” belong to the synthetic cathinone class of drugs. These central nervous system stimulants are designed to mimic the effects of substances like cocaine, methamphetamine, and MDMA (ecstasy).

Understanding “Bath Salts”

To avoid legal restrictions like the Controlled Substances Analogue Enforcement Act, these substances are often misleadingly marketed as:

• Common Labels: “Bath salts,” “research chemicals,” “plant food,” or “glass cleaner”.
• Disclaimers: Frequently labeled “not for human consumption” to hide their true purpose as psychoactive stimulants.

Origin and Appearance

• Origin: Synthetic cathinones are manufactured in East Asia and distributed globally, including in Europe, North America, and Australia.
• Appearance: Typically found in a powdered form or compressed into gelatin capsules.
• Availability: They are commonly sold at smoke shops, convenience stores, gas stations, and via the Internet.

Common Street Names

Some of the many street names include:

• Bliss, Blue Silk, Cloud Nine, and Drone.
• Ivory Wave, Meow Meow, and Ocean Burst.
• Pure Ivory, Purple Wave, Red Dove, and Snow Leopard.
• Stardust, Vanilla Sky, White Dove, White Knight, and White Lightning.

Methods of Abuse

“Bath salts” are most commonly ingested by sniffing or snorting. They can also be:

• Taken orally.
• Smoked.
• Dissolved into a solution and injected into the veins.

Effects of Use

Effect on the Mind

Users often seek desired effects like euphoria and alertness. However, negative psychological impacts include:

• Confusion and acute psychosis.
• Agitation and combativeness.
• Aggressive, violent, or self-destructive behavior.

Effect on the Body

Adverse physical and toxic effects include:

• Cardiovascular: Rapid heartbeat, hypertension, and palpitations.
• Neurological: Seizures, headaches, and prolonged pupil dilation.
• Physical Responses: Hyperthermia (high body temperature), sweating, and teeth grinding.
• Severe Complications: Breakdown of muscle fibers that releases contents into the bloodstream.
• Psychological: Paranoia, hallucinations, and delusions.

Overdose Risks

Abusing drugs in this class carries a serious risk of death.

Legal Status in the United States

The U.S. Government has taken several steps to control these substances:

• SDAPA (2012): The Synthetic Drug Abuse Prevention Act classified several synthetic substances, including mephedrone and MDPV, under Schedule I (the most restrictive category).
• DEA Action: The DEA has permanently controlled methylone and ten other synthetic cathinones; N-ethylpentylone was temporarily controlled in 2018.
• Analogue Act: Other synthetic cathinones may be prosecuted under the Controlled Substance Analogue Enforcement Act, allowing them to be treated as Schedule I substances under certain criteria.