"Bath salts"

"Bath salts" (also known as synthetic cathinones) are man-made designer drugs that produce both stimulant and hallucinogenic effects.

While these drugs are often sold as white crystalline powders that resemble conventional bath salts sold for hygienic purposes, these two very different products should not be confused.

"Bath salts" packaging is often labelled "not for human consumption."

Also known as: bath powder, Meph, drone, 4-MMC, MCAT, MMCAT, bubbles, Magic, meow, meow-meow, miaow, miaow-miaow, plant food, plant feeder, insect repellent, vacuum freshener, natural stain remover, potpourri, research chemicals, sub-coca, crab, methylamino, rush, Ivory Wave, Purple Wave, Red Dove, Blue Silk, Zoom, Bloom, Vanilla Sky, White Lightening, Cloud Nine (9), Blizzard, Ocean Snow, Scarface, Hurricane Charlie, Fine China, Silverback, Blue Magic, and Heavenly Soak.

Health Canada does not recommend the use of "bath salts" because of the potential for serious or fatal adverse reactions and also because little is known about the long-term effects on the brain and/or body.

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On this page:

• How are "bath salts" produced and how are they consumed?
• Health effects
  • Short-term effects
  • Long-term effects
  • Effects on unborn babies
• Addiction and withdrawal

How are "bath salts" produced and how are they consumed?

"Bath salts" are produced in illegal laboratories. "Bath salts" products seized in Canada have been found to contain one or more of the following substances: methylenedioxypyrovalerone (MDPV), mephedrone, methylone, flephedrone, ethylcathinone and others.

"Bath salts" are sold as capsules, tablets, or white crystalline powder. The powder can be snorted, wrapped in cigarette paper and swallowed ("bombing"), dissolved in liquid and swallowed, or dissolved in liquid and injected.

Health effects

The short-term and long-term effects of "bath salts" appear to be similar to those produced by other drugs such as cocaine, meth, and ecstasy.

There is also a risk of adverse effects caused by other chemicals that may be added to "bath salts."

The way a person feels after taking "bath salts" may depend on many factors:

• the user's age and weight
• the user's mood, expectations, and environment
• the user's medical or psychiatric conditions
• the amount of the drug consumed (the dose)
• how the drug is taken (snorted, swallowed, or injected)
• how often and for how long the drug has been used
• use of other drugs including alcohol, non-prescription, prescription, and street drugs

Short-term effects

Short-term effects are usually felt within minutes to an hour after consuming "bath salts" and can last for several hours. They can include:

• rapid heartbeat (tachycardia)
• shortness of breath
• chest pain or chest pressure
• palpitations
• high blood pressure
• decreased blood circulation and painful white or blue extremities
• blurry vision
• tremor
• fever
• hyperthermia
• profuse sweating and unusual body odour
• nausea and vomiting
• decreased appetite
• dizziness
• headache
• increased alertness
• euphoria, excitement, openness, chattiness
• extreme anxiety
• extreme agitation
• confusion
• hallucinations
• psychosis
• skin rashes/serious skin infections
• irritation/bleeding of the nose, mouth, or throat
• muscle twitching/convulsions
• seizures
• suicide
• death

Long-term effects

Long-term effects can result from long-term, regular use of "bath salts" and may persist long after drug use has stopped.

Some of these effects can also occur even after using the drug only once.

Long-term effects may include:

• depression
• mood swings
• restlessness
• insomnia
• erratic, bizarre or violent behaviour
• kidney damage/failure
• muscle injury/breakdown
• suicide
• death

Effects on unborn babies

The effects of "bath salts" on a developing fetus are unknown. However, the use of cocaine and meth (which have effects similar to "bath salts") during pregnancy has been linked to an increased risk of miscarriage, premature delivery, and decreased birth weight. These newborns were also more likely to be irritable, malnourished, and suffer from sleep disturbances within the first few weeks after birth.

Addiction and withdrawal

It is not known whether "bath salts" are addictive. But because they produce many of the same effects as other stimulants such as cocaine and meth, they are likely to be addictive.

There have been reports of users going on bath salt "binges" and consuming these substances for several days in a row before "crashing." Tolerance--when the user becomes used to the effects of a drug and needs to take more to get "high"--has also been reported.

Withdrawal symptoms

Possible withdrawal symptoms include:

• very strong urge or craving to use
• depression
• anxiety
• irritability
• inability to concentrate
• fatigue
• nasal congestion
• amnesia