The alternate use of bath salts as a mysterious “designer drug” has caused many health scares in the last few years, including most recently the violent face-eating attack on a homeless man in Florida.
Proper use of bath salts. (Photo: Flickr/SuperFantastic)
The drug craze has raised alerts in the public health realm, as not much research exists on how dangerous the bath salts are on human health.
Doctor reviews the known details
Recently a “very concerned father” asked a doctor on JustAnswer for clarity on the dangers of using bath salts as a drug.
“Bath salts are an emerging epidemic in the drug-abuse scene,” replied Rory Curtis, a pharmacist and professor on JustAnswer. “Not an incredible amount of information is known regarding the pharmacology, mechanism of action, and long-term effects.”
However, Curtis noted that one of the reported chemicals in the bath salts is mephedrone, which appears to be a major contributor to the abuse. (This does not apply to epsom salts, which are also popular for baths.)
“The effects are dangerous, similar to cocaine, amphetamine, and methamphetamine,” he said. Numerous media reports have detailed psychotic episodes and violent episodes — even suicides — resulting from usage of the drug.
How the danger increases
Common means of taking the new drug are oral or smoking, snorting (similar to cocaine), or injecting, which is the most dangerous.
“Snorting the drugs provides a faster onset of action due to proximity to the brain, and increases the risk of abuse,” Curtis said.
Widespread use in recent years has resulted in multiple deaths, and led many European countries to control mephedrone. The United Kingdom outlawed the substance in 2010.
Where to get more information
Another physician on JustAnswer recommended these links for learning more about drug abuse from bath salts:
- Research article from MedicineNet.com
- El Paso Public Intelligence Bulletin
- Fact sheet from Drug Free Marion County
If you have a question about your health, you can speak to a doctor or nurse right now on JustAnswer.
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