“Bath salts” is the common term for synthetic cathinones, which is the counterpart of cathinone, a nature-derived stimulant found in the Khat plant. Khat is a shrub found in East Africa and some parts of Middle East. The leaves of the Khat is chewed for mild stimulant effects. Synthetic cathinones have a stronger stimulating effect, which can often be dangerous.
These bath salts. which should not be confused with the scented and Epsom salts used for bathing, belong to a group called “new psychoactive substances” (NPS). These are unregulated and illicit mind-altering substances that have newly entered the market and are intended to copy the effects of illegal drugs.In fact, bath salts are marketed as cheap alternatives to meth, cocaine, and Molly or MDMA, which also contains synthetic cathinones.
Other Names of Bath Salts
These bath salts are sold as white or brown crystal-like powder and sold in small plastic or foil packets. Often, they are also labeled as plant food, jewelry cleaner, phone screen cleaner, and other names and are sold online.
Other names for bath salts include:
- Flakka
- Cloud Nine
- Bloom
- Vanilla Sky
- Lunar Wave
- White Lightning
- Scarface
Bath Salt Use and Effects
Bath salts are swallowed, snorted, smoked, or injected. It affects the human brain the same way that MDMA, cocaine, and amphetamines do. All these drugs have more or less the same effects, which include:
- lowered inhibitions
- profound sense of euphoria
- increased focus and alertness
- increased perception
- anxiety
- depression
People who use bath salts experience renewed and heightened energy to the point of agitation. It can also raise their heart rate and blood pressure. It has also been studied that 3,4-methylenedioxypyrovalerone (MDPV), a common ingredient in bath salts, affects the brain similar to cocaine, only that it’s at least 10 times more potent.
Users who take bath salts can also experience the following:
- nosebleeds
- sweating
- nausea
- dehydration
- breakdown of skeletal muscles
- kidney failure
- paranoia
- hallucinations
- increased sex drive
- increased sociability
- panic attacks
- extreme agitation
- violent behavior
- death
Bath Salts Addiction and Withdrawal
Bath salts trigger intense cravings that make users have a strong, uncontrollable use to use again and again. Therefore, it’s highly addictive.
Withdrawal symptoms include:
- depression
- anxiety
- tremors
- sleep problems
- paranoia
While bath salts are not mainly used here in the Philippines, it is becoming more and more used in other parts of the world.
If you or someone you know is addicted to other drugs, please don’t hesitate to call or text us at 09175098826.
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