On Memorial Day weekend, a story broke on the national news that could have been from a B-grade horror flick. A zombie man assaulted a homeless man, and in a cannibalistic attack — ate his face! The attacker had been described as a zombie because he was high on “bath salts“.
What are “Bath Salts”?
Bath salts are referred to as drugs consisting of any of these synthetic stimulants: Mephedrone, Methylone, or Methylenedioxypyrovalerone (MDPV). (1) On the street, bath salts are also called “bath powder”, “herbal incense”, or “plant food.” (2)
How Do “Bath Salts” Work in the Body?
To understand what the drug does, think of “bath salts” as a cross between meth and acid. Like cocaine, meth, and speed, bath salts work by stimulating the central nervous system, kicking it into overdrive, if you will. But the drug is also seriously hallucinogenic, like LSD. (2)
How Does One Take “Bath Salts”?
Bath salts can be smoked, snorted, or injected. (2)
Why Would One Get High on “Bath Salts”?
The initial symptoms are positive, including relaxation, euphoria, and a sense of warmth and wellbeing similar to Ecstasy. (2)
What are the Side Effects of “Bath Salts”?
Agitation, paranoia, hallucinations, chest pain, suicidality. It’s a very scary stimulant that is out there. as severe agitated behavior, like an amphetamine overdose, has occurred. A second concern is the ongoing suicidality in these patients, even after the stimulatory effects of the drugs have worn off. (1)
Bath salts can trigger a full-blown psychotic episode with extreme delusions and are highly addictive. (2)
How Does One Find “Bath Salts”?
Bath salts are very easy to get hold of. They’re sold online, in “head shops” all over the country and even behind the counters in many convenience stores. Bath salts come in little packets with soothing names like “Blue Silk”, “Bliss,” “Vanilla Sky,” and “Ivory Wave,” and cost just $25-60 a packet. (2)
Are “Bath Salts” Illegal?
U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) finally made the possession and sale of three of the chemicals commonly used to make bath salts illegal in October 2011. The ban is effective for at least a year. (1) However, with this latest high profile news story, the ban will probably become permanent.
