Bath salts (or psychoactive bath salt, in the UK and US) are a newly-recognized group of designer drugs with wide-ranging effects on the human circulatory system, the brain, and the nervous system. Like many other new designer drug products, they have not undergone clinical testing to determine their safety or toxicity. However, there are already some well-established facts about these “bath salts”. These include the fact that they are not safe for use by children even if they were properly prepared.
Most psychotropic substances have strong effects on the central nervous system. This includes increased heart rate, sweating, racing heart, altered vision, insomnia, dizziness, and paranoia. Some may also cause delusions, hallucinations, depression, hostility, anxiety, irritability, diarrhea, tremors, and death. Psychotropic bath salts may include numerous side effects, some of which are serious, including hallucinations, seizures, slurred speech, depression, coma, and death. A small number of psychotropic bath salts may also cause mania, euphoria, depression, hostility, mania, psychosis, and hypothermia.
Like many other drugs, bath salts include some common, but dangerous side effects. Most often reported side effects are depression, psychosis, and heart problems. The risk for these problems increases when these drugs are used in large quantities. In addition, bath salts are usually injected, which increases the risk of blood-clotting and possible cardiac arrest. Other risks include allergic reactions to lysine, which is normally found in aspirin and other arthritis drugs; a rash, headache, fever, itching, and/or swelling of the feet, hands, or face; and, in rare cases, fatal heart attacks. Some drugs, such as cocaine, amphetamines, and barbiturates, can interact with psychotropic salts and increase the risk for side effects.
Two separate studies released this month showed that bath salts and cocaine use are associated with the rising rate of NEDs (drug abuse and addiction.) Between 2020, the national institute of health and drug abuse found that bath salts were the most commonly used drugs at five hospitals in New York City. Of the 5 patients examined, all had either cocaine or another type of psychotropic drug. At least one patient had a heart rate that was elevated. The study, which was led by Dr. David P. Brown of the New York Hospital Sloane-Kettering Cancer Center and was published in the Journal of the National Medical Association, showed a strong link between the two.
Bath salts, also known as “bath salts,” are not solely the product of people looking for a cheap high. They have also become popular among those who take illegal drugs, commonly known as “dope.” Over the past few years, synthetic drugs, also known as “speed,” “glass,” “crack,” and “crystal,” have made their way into the hands of minors, who, in turn, have turned to them for a quick high. In response to this increasing problem, the authorities have been searching for ways to combat the problem of bath salts and have introduced new legislation aimed at regulating the sale of these products.
Among the new legislation is a proposed federal law that would regulate the sale of synthetic drugs. Proponents of the legislation argue that the current laws on prescription medications are too harsh, and that people who use bath salts are turning to them for a quick high. Although recreational users may be a legitimate market for certain types of drugs, there are real dangers to using these drugs for recreational purposes, especially if they result in having an impaired brain or physical performance. Many people who suffer from depression, psychosis, hallucinations, mania, and other mental effects associate the temporary euphoria of “bath salts” with feelings of happiness, which can lead to dangerous behavior.
The concern about bath salts abuse is not new. There have been numerous articles published in leading medical journals warning that the use of synthetic cathinones, a group of synthetic chemicals found in many over-the-counter and prescription drugs, can result in the abuse of stimulants, depressants, and other mind-altering drugs such as methamphetamines and ecstasy. Other common drugs in this category include mDPV and ephedrine, which have also been linked to deaths across the country. The concern about bath salts abuse has grown out of the observation that recent trends show a marked increase in the number of people experimenting with these substances. In a similar trend, there has been an increase in the number of youth drug tests performed each year, which indicate an increase in the amount of perceived harmfulness associated with the use of bath salts.
Legislation that would regulate the sale and distribution of bath salts in the United States has been reintroduced in Congress, and is expected to be reintroduced in the next few weeks. A House committee introduced a bill in January that would create a national prescription drug abuse strategy, which would require manufacturers to list the contents of their products on the label, as well as provide educational information about the dangers of drug abuse. The bill, which has yet to be formally introduced, would also regulate the purchase, prescription, and distribution of dietary supplements, including Epsom salts and other substances that are used for treating body pains and ailments. An interesting aspect of the bill is the provision that would require all dietary supplements to contain a list of ingredients that is not known to be addictive or dangerous to consumers. This is seen as an important step forward in reducing the availability of harmful drugs to individuals.