The Dangers Associated With Bath Salts and Other Designer Drugs

Bath salts are one of the many different varieties of chemical compounds used for their disinfecting properties. The name is derived from cases where the therapeutic medications were disguised as bath salt products. The crystals, white powder, or small granules often look very similar to Epsom salts, yet are different chemically. Most bath salt products are not available on the open market as bath salt products.

There have been several incidents of national news stations carrying stories about these so-called drug abuse bath salts. They first came to the attention of the American public when a story was featured on CBS This Morning. In one instance, a middle-aged woman was arrested and charged with attempting to sell bath salts at a local supermarket. She had been seeking a cheap remedy for a health issue she was suffering from. When the police investigated, they learned that the woman had a history of prescription drug abuse.

The synthetic cathinones found in bath salts abuse can cause the same kind of serious health consequences as the use of illegal narcotics. Unfortunately, there is currently no national standard for regulating the sale of bath salts, and no knowledge as to how widespread the problem actually is. For this reason, it is extremely important that if you suspect that you are having an accidental exposure to bath salts, that you contact your local law enforcement agency immediately. The substance is quite addictive, and even slightly can be enough to send someone into a coma. If you or a family member is having an overdose, the consequences can be dire.

The ingredients used in bath salts tend to be stimulants, such as caffeine, ephedrine, and/or nicotine. Other ingredients can include salt, glycerin, potassium hydroxide, potassium chloride, magnesium hydroxide, sodium chloride, calcium bicarbonate, and potassium bicarbonate. These chemicals are widely available in powder form at grocery and drug stores, but consumers should exercise caution when using or ingesting them. Although it is possible to die from bath salts overdose, the most common consequence is brain damage caused by the interaction of the chemicals with your central nervous system. This can result in seizures, comatose, depression, or, in severe cases, death.

The effects of bath salts can be increased if you combine them with the popular chemical known as tea tree oil. Tea tree oil has natural antiseptic and antibacterial properties that work well with the pheromone compounds found in scented bath additives. If you have an accident and wash your hands with the mixture, take a few sips of the tea tree oil and then quickly wipe away the excess water with a damp cloth or paper towel. This will help to minimize the severity of the burn as well as reduce the likelihood of scarring.

Designer Drugs: Over the past few years designer drugs have been popping up in retail outlets. Many of these designer drugs, including bath salt, are derived from synthetic chemicals that are much more powerful than pheromones. Because they are not naturally occurring, designer drugs can cause serious side effects. Because bath salt is typically packaged in a decorative container, it can easily find its way into the hands of teens who are unaware of the health dangers involved with the substance. Not only can designer drugs cause serious health problems, they can also be illegal. Unfortunately, the criminal may be unaware that laws have been enacted to prevent the sale and distribution of these types of bath salts.

With bath salt and other synthetic drugs on the rise, it is important to be aware of the legal issues involved with possession and use of these products. Most states have defined penalties for those who knowingly use or possess designer drug paraphernalia. These penalties vary greatly depending on the specifics of the designer drug, the type of substance found, and whether or not the defendant has previously had other similar offenses committed against him.

Legal Concerns: As if bath salt and other synthetic cathinones aren’t enough to make you worry, there is still the concern for possible legal ramifications should you be caught by a law enforcement officer. It is not uncommon for law enforcement to seize private items that are believed to have been used in the commission of a crime. If you are caught displaying bath salt or other synthetic cathinones, you may be held criminally liable for possessing the item. In addition, bath salts and other similar drug paraphernalia are considered to be controlled substances and can carry serious penalties if found to be in public areas. Unless you are a seller, buyer, or user of these products, it is imperative that you be aware of all drug paraphernalia laws so that you don’t become a victim.