Bath Salts

What’s in Bath Salts?
“Bath Salts” is the most common term referring to a set of synthetic drugs also sold as “Plant Food.” Labeled “not for human consumption,” the active ingredient may be one of several synthetic drugs similar to natural cathinone psychostimulants found in the khat plant:

Methylenedioxypyrovalerone (MDPV)
Fluoromethcathinone
Methylenedioxymethcathinone (methylone)
Methoxymethcathinone
Methylmethcathinone (Mephedrone)
Dimethlyamylamine (DMAA)
Diphenylmethylpiperidine (2DPMP)

The crystals or capsules may contain the anesthetic lidocaine. Bath salts are known by various brand names: Ivory Wave, Vanilla Sky, Zoom2, Pixie Dust, Sextacy, Ocean Burst, Purple Rain, Hurricane Charlie and many more.

Why do people inhale and ingest bath salts?
The products were rumored to be legal substitutes for amphetamine or cocaine. Until recently, the ingredients were legal and could be purchased at smoke shops or convenience stores. Florida’s Attorney General enacted an emergency rule in January 26, 2011, classifying some chemicals as Schedule 1 drugs so that possession is illegal in Florida. After the ruling, usage has decreased.

What happens to people who snort or smoke bath salts?
The nervous system is stimulated; creating a burst of energy along with high blood pressure, fast heart rate, increased alertness, anxiety and muscle cramps. There are frightening delusions, hallucinations, psychosis and paranoia. There are multiple accounts of people thinking that monsters, policemen or helicopters are chasing them. This has resulted in combativeness, assaults and suicide attempts. Deaths potentially related to effect of these products are reported.

For more information, please visit:

American Association of Poison Control Centers - https://aapcc.org/

National Institute of Drug Abuse - Drug Facts: Bath Salts

https://www.drugabuse.gov/publications/drugfacts/synthetic-cathinones-bath-salts