“Bath Salts” Found to have Chemicals Similar to Ecstasy

Products labelled as “bath salts” are found to contain compounds found in MDMA or ecstasy – the active substances that produce typical effects like heightened energy, hallucinations and sense of lovingness to complete strangers. Recent trends in marketing designer drugs is to label them with unrelated terms like “bath salts” and “plant food” to circumvent drug laws.

In the case of “bath salts’”, they are found to contain mephedrone and methylone which are also found in MDMA. These compounds bind to monoamine transporters in neurons, causing increase of serotonin, and sometimes, dopamine. This makes bath salts to be addictive, like MDMA, with potential to cause long-term brain complications because it alters dopamine and serotonin mechanisms. Mephedrone is a particular concern, because of its high potential for overdose it is often touted as a substitute to cocaine. And because labelling designer drugs with unrelated names are relatively new, the full extent of its effects and dangers may never be fully known.

A research done at NIDA (National Institute on Drug Abuse) Baltimore, Maryland shows the effects of mephedrone and methylone in comparison with MDMA on rats; analysis shows that it can affect brain cells as much as Ecstasy does, in addition to increased serotonin and dopamine levels. It shows that mephedrone and methylone work more like weak amphetamines – a potent habit-forming drug.

There is a need for larger and more comprehensive study about the effects of designer drugs like mephedrone and methylone, and laws on how to control novel drugs. And the public should be aware of these recent changes in illegal drug trade, because what might be a harmless bath condiment may cause addiction and start a drug habit to members of the family.

 

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