Bath Salt and Medicine
Bath salts are an interesting group of designer drugs. The name is derived from the occasions in which these drugs were secretly disguised as bath salts. The bath salts, powdery substances, granules, or crystal are often chemically similar to Epsom salts, yet are different chemically. In many cases the compounds that make up the bath salts contain sodium or potassium chloride, and some may contain other chemicals. They are usually smoked, dissolved in a glass of water, and absorbed through the skin for therapeutic benefits.
Historically the therapeutical properties of bath salts were recognized nearly two hundred years ago. Early cultures that possessed knowledge of the healing effects of plants and botanicals regularly used the plant ingredients for treating various disorders. In fact, the book of Genesis makes mention of herbs and spices being used by early mankind for healing purposes. Today there are several pharmaceutical companies that manufacture synthetic cathinones and bath salts for use in curing a variety of medical problems. Although these drugs have proven beneficial for a wide range of ailments, there have been recent concerns about their use for increasing the number of hallucinogenic drug users. Many who have ingested these bath salt types of drugs have reported heightened perceptions of strange, dream-like elements within the body, including feelings of paranoia and anxiety.
Recent studies suggest that the chemical compounds that make up the bath salts can be a significant contributor to hallucinations experienced when a person takes them. Based on research conducted by health care specialists, the substances seem to work by binding with specific brain receptor sites. It has been speculated that the binding of these receptors may be responsible for the heightened sensations of psychosis and schizophrenia patients. Other research suggests that these compounds may be responsible for the visual illusions commonly associated with “drug flashbacks.” Both these studies raise troubling issues about the uses and recreational value of bath salt products, particularly when they are used by individuals who believe that they are using them to treat long-term health problems.
Psychotropic drugs like bath salts have also been used as a solution to the problem of depression. Several years ago, the government began to prohibit the sales of a number of common designer antidepressants because they were being abused by consumers. The problem has only gotten worse in recent years. The most common drugs known to be abused are listed below. They are considered to be Psychostimulants:
Although many psychostimulants like Ritalin, Adderall and Concerta have been linked to an increased likelihood of hallucinations, there is no evidence that bath salts cause hallucinations when they are used by themselves. When the drugs are taken in combination with other drugs, however, the results can be highly dangerous. Although the bath salts do not have active psychoactive properties themselves, they can still increase the intensity of the effects of the other drugs and make them much more powerful than they would be if taken on their own. This is why it is so important to consult with your doctor before attempting to combine bath salts with any medication.
There are also several synthetic cathinones that may be found at local drug stores. These drugs are often referred to as “bath salts,” because they typically look similar to natural cathinones such as Kava and Melatonin. Unfortunately, there are serious side effects associated with these bath salts, including severe liver damage, seizures and hallucinations. Although synthetic cathinones have not been banned by the government, they are considered to be extremely dangerous and have caused several lawsuits that were brought against the companies that sold them. Because of this, they have been banned from use by anyone in the United States, except law enforcement officials and certified medical professionals who have received special authorization to use them.