Bath salts are a mixture of synthetic drugs, that when ingested, snorted, smoked or injected, cause a powerful reaction that can be violent and out of control. The typical user is 20-29 years old, however, poison control centers report getting calls about users younger than six-years-old and older than 60. In 2012, U.S, poison control centers received more than
2,600 calls regarding people high on bath salts.
Due to the varying mixture of drugs in each batch, physical and emotional reactions to them can vary from person to person, however, there are some
commonly experienced issues among those who use them.
Paranoia and violence are both common behaviors for someone on bath salts. Imagining people are out to get them and violence against perceived threats or attacks and other unpredictable and dangerous behaviors are frequently reported. In addition, the mind creates hallucinations and delusions. People on bath salts are not only a danger to others but can also be dangerous to themselves as
suicidal thoughts often surface.
In addition to the changes in a person's mental and emotional state while on bath salts, there are also physical risks. A steep rise in heart rate and blood pressure is a common physical reaction to bath salt use. Vomiting and nausea have also appeared, as well as an increased risk of seizures. These and other physical reactions to bath salts have caused deaths throughout the nation.
Bath salts are sold in tablet, powder and capsule forms. The experience of bath salt ingestion is comparable to the high from cocaine, LSD, ecstasy and methamphetamine. Before state legislatures began cracking down on the sale of bath salts, they were readily available in gas stations, discount tobacco shops, convenience stores and of course over the Internet. During the past few years, approximately 48 states have put laws in place forcing the removal of bath salts from the shelves, however, remaining states still stock them and in the end, Internet sales are still available. Legal troubles can be created for those who purchase or use bath salts in restricted states.
Bath salts are believed to contain
addictive properties because they make the brain go on a sort of dopamine overload, which in turn feels extremely good to the user. As with other substance abuse drugs, more and more bath salts are required to achieve the same effect, which makes it hard to stop and creates the addiction. Rehab is one treatment option for bath salt addicts who wish to quit.