Every so often we’re in the pursuit of relaxation and luxurious bathing experiences. Bath salts deliver both – a therapeutic soothing experience that is not only believed to have exfoliating properties but also alleviates stress and anxiety.
However, the term ‘bath salts’ does not only apply to these aromatherapy blissful crystals added to bath water. It’s not the form of bath salts we’ll talk about today.
The bath salts referred to in this article are the synthetic form also known as synthetic cathinone, a designer drug created to mimic the effects of traditional narcotics. Well, of course excluding the legal restrictions.
This article will delve into the shadows of the newly trending bath salts drugs often confused with the traditional bath crystals, shedding light on bath salts effects on the body.
What are bath salts?
They are a class of lab-made stimulants whose chemical composition is similar to that of the Khat plant, only more powerful and dangerous. Bath salts are engineered in East Asia and distributed worldwide where they are sold in convenience stores, gas stations, head shops, smoke shops, bookstores, and on the Internet.
They are white or brown crystals often packed in foil or plastic packages. Bath salts are ingested as illicit synthetic cathinone which is always cheaper and more accessible compared to other hard drugs.
It can also be ingested unintentionally as contaminants of other drugs or medication. For instance, bupropion is a synthetic cathinone approved for treating some conditions, including substance use disorders.
Other common street names for bath salts are Vanilla Sky, white lightning, bloom, Cloud Nine, Scarface, or Flakka.
What is in bath salts?
The composition of bath salts can be ambiguous to fit the intended use and effect of the drug, hence their classification as ‘designer’ drugs. Their composition is constantly evolving making it difficult to know the chemicals present in any given batch definitively.
Nonetheless, the commonly reported substance in its constituents is methylenedioxypyrovalerone (MDPV), a psychoactive component responsible for dopamine overstimulation bath salts effects on the body.
Research shows MDPV has the potential to elevate extracellular dopamine levels an hour after administration. This puts the drug at high risk of abuse.
Over the years, manufacturers have consistently altered the molecular structure of synthetic cathinone to override the legal restrictions on its primary components. There exists a lack of a standardized chemical composition and quality control of bath salts drugs.
For this reason, consumers ingest unpredictable concoctions of chemicals, which heightens their exposure to harmful bath salts effects on the body.
Additionally, the substances are marketed under pseudonyms such as ‘research chemicals’, ‘plant food’, and ‘glass cleaner’, and often labeled ‘not for human consumption’ to conceal their true purpose and elude the law’s scrutiny.
How are bath salts drugs ingested?
1. Oral ingestion
Synthetic cathinones are often swallowed when in pill or capsule form, absorbing the drug into the digestive system. This method of ingestion posits a gradual onset of bath salts effects on the body.
2. Snorting
Nasal insufflation is also a popular method of ingestion. The crystals are typically ground into powder form and snorted through the nose. Snorting delivers a quicker onset of the effects of the drugs as they are directly absorbed into the nasal mucosa.
3. Smoking
Some users prefer heating the bath salt crystals into vapor and inhaling the vapor. This happens when the user wants an immediate high since the drug is delivered directly into the bloodstream.
4. Injection
Intravenous injections deliver the fastest onset of bath salts effects on the body. the method involves dissolving the crystals in water and injecting the solution directly into the bloodstream.
While it may seem effective to the user, it poses significant health risks such as vein damage and infection routes.
Side effects of bath salts drugs
Immediate bath salts effects on the body
Since the structural composition of MDPV is similar to that of methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA), a hallucinogenic substance, their immediate effects are quite similar – a quick short-lived “rush” lasting about 3 to 4 hours, and thereafter, a hard “crash”.
This “rush” or “high” is experienced as:
- Euphoria
- Increased libido
- Increased wakefulness/alertness
- Empathy
- Talkativeness
On the flip side, the high also causes:
- Elevated heart rate
- Excessive sweating
- Vessel constriction
- Low appetite
- Muscle spasms
- Seizures
- High blood pressure
- Hyperthermia
- Chest pains
- Pupil dilation
Although the “rush” from bath salts is short-lived, the above immediate side effects may take up to 2 days to clear up. when taken in higher doses, bath salts effects on the body can last upwards of 8 hours.
Long-term bath salts effects on the body
With the high amounts of dopamine released from bath salts, the body quickly creates a dependence on the chemical.
Higher dosages and regular use of bath salts can lead to extreme side effects. Among them are:
1. Cardiovascular diseases
Prolonged use has been associated with elevated risk of heart attacks and strokes.
2. Kidney damage
Kidneys play a significant role in excreting toxins from the body. Synthetic cathinone metabolites can put a strain on the organ, leading to kidney dysfunction or failure.
3. Psychiatric disorders
Prolonged use of synthetic cathinone has been linked to psychiatric disorders such as anxiety, depression, and paranoia. Regular users become delusional and experience hallucinations. Due to the unpredictable nature of bath salts, they not only trigger new mental disorders but can exacerbate pre-existing ones.
4. Dental problems
Bath salt compounds may have the potential to cause teeth grinding, jaw clenching, and elevated risk of tooth decay.
5. Tolerance
Continued use of these designer drugs prompts the body to develop tolerance, meaning larger amounts will be required to achieve the desired high.
6. Dependency and addiction
With tolerance comes increased dosages and frequency of use. This leads to the body adapting to the presence of the drug to function normally.At this stage, the user has developed a physical and psychological dependency on bath salts. Cravings are more prominent and it becomes significantly difficult to control their drug use.
As dependence deepens and negative bath salts effects on the body become more prevalent, life becomes unmanageable without the drug. The intention of use has now shifted from recreational to sustaining normalcy and avoiding withdrawal symptoms. This is a full-blown addiction.
What is bath salts withdrawal like?
Bath salts withdrawal symptoms are characterized by physical and psychological transitions whose severity and duration depend on the frequency of drug use, duration of use, and the overall health of the user.
Due to the ambiguous nature of synthetic cathinones, withdrawal experiences may differ depending on the composition of this designer drug.
However, common withdrawal symptoms associated with bath salts include:
- Intense cravings that may lead the individual to relapse when left untreated.
- Depression and mood swings. The abrupt cut-off from the drug affects the brain’s neurotransmitter levels, causing mood disturbances.
- Anxiety, restlessness, and irritability.
- Fatigue and lethargy as the body adjusts to functioning without the bath salts effects on the body.
- Disrupted sleep patterns are common during withdrawal.
- Cognitive impairment. As the brain adjusts to the absence of bath salts, the user experiences memory problems, cognitive fog, and difficulty concentrating.
- Psychomotor agitation is also a symptom of bath salts withdrawal. This manifests through restlessness and difficulty in sitting still.
Managing these withdrawal symptoms requires a comprehensive and individualized approach from healthcare providers and addiction specialists, specifically due to the unpredictable nature of synthetic cathinones.
Detox and treatment for bath salts withdrawal
Detoxification involves flashing harmful toxins from the body and managing the withdrawal symptoms.
The detox process is just the initial phase of addiction treatment. A lot of support and ongoing therapy is paramount to sustain the recovery process.
Such kind of support can be provided to the recovering addict through:
1. Medical assessments and supervised detox
Consistent medical assessment is crucial for the development of an individualized treatment plan. A healthcare professional would evaluate the user’s overall health, the extent of substance use, and the presence of pre-existing mental or physical health conditions.
Medical supervision is then accorded to help manage withdrawal symptoms during detox. Medications may be used to alleviate bath salts withdrawal symptoms and keep the individual comfortable.
2. Therapy
Mental health professionals provide support through the emotional challenges of detox. Counselors and behavioral therapists may be involved in addressing the underlying issues contributing to substance abuse.
Other supportive therapeutic modalities include cognitive-behavioral therapies (CBT) and contingency management that assist recovering addicts develop coping mechanisms and prevent relapse.
3. Inpatient and outpatient treatment
Depending on the severity of the addiction, the recovering addict may require different levels of care. Inpatient treatment offers 24/7 support for individuals battling severe addiction and co-occurring disorders.
Outpatient treatment allows for more flexibility as the individual can attend therapy sessions while living at home.
4. Holistic approaches
Practices such as yoga, mindfulness meditation, nutritional counseling, wellness sports, and other outdoor programs may be integrated into the treatment plan to address the physical, mental, and emotional well-being of an individual.
5. Support groups
Peer support is intended to provide a sense of community and shared experiences to the recovering addict. Support groups including group therapies and 12-step programs, are often incorporated to sustain long-term recovery.
Bath salts overdose
Overdosing posits life-threatening bath salts effects on the body. The effects of an overdose can be as unpredictable as withdrawal symptoms due to the inconsistencies in the formulations of synthetic cathinones.
Each formulation may present a different set of harmful symptoms upon an overdose. Nonetheless, common symptoms of bath salts overdose include:
- Cardiovascular disord ers including high blood pressure, rapid heart rate, and high risk of cardiac arrest.
- Aggression, agitation, and restlessness. The user may become a danger to themselves and others.
- Psychotic symptoms such as hallucination, delusions, and paranoia.
- Hyperthermia (increased body temperature), leading to a heat stroke or organ damage.
- Seizures.
It is crucial to seek emergency medical attention as soon as you suspect a bath salts overdose. Prompt medical attention is essential to manage the potentially dangerous symptoms and more so, in determining the formulation of synthetic cathinones ingested for specialized care.
Take away
As the popularity of these designer drugs increases, it is more crucial to educate the public about the potentially harmful bath salts effects on the body, mitigating unintentional misuse. By fostering awareness and commitment to well-being, we can work towards a safer and healthier community.
