Bath Salts’ Effects on the Body

Much is still unknown about how synthetic cathinones affect the human brain. Researchers do know that synthetic cathinones are chemically similar to drugs like amphetamines, cocaine, and MDMA.

The most common synthetic cathinone found in the blood and urine of patients admitted to emergency departments after taking bath salts is 3,4-methylenedioxypyrovalerone (MDPV). This affects the brain similarly to cocaine, but is at least 10 times more powerful.

Synthetic Cathinones Can Produce Effects Including:

• Paranoia
• Hallucinations
• Increased friendliness
• Increased sex drive
• Panic attacks
• Excited delirium (extreme agitation and violent behavior)

Other health effects of synthetic cathinones include raised heart rate, blood pressure, and chest pain. People who experience delirium often suffer from dehydration, breakdown of skeletal muscle tissue, and kidney failure. The worst outcomes are associated with snorting or needle injection. Intoxication from synthetic cathinones has resulted in death.