Why Snorting "Bath Salts" Is Popular and Dangerous

Jan 13, 2011

The hottest new drug on the streets is perfectly legal—and totally dangerous, according to everyone from DEA to toxicology experts. Sold on the Internet and at head shops under names such as Ivory Wave, Cloud 9, Vanilla Sky, and White Lightning, packets of "bath salts" contain small amounts of white crystalline powder. Although they are labeled with warnings like "novelty only" and "not for human consumption," there have been more than 100 reports nationwide of people smoking, snorting, eating, or injecting the bath salts—with ill effects ranging from paranoia to seizures.

Bath salts are said to produce effects similar to Ecstasy and stimulants such as cocaine and methamphetamine. The high from ingesting bath salts is said to come from two synthetic compounds, mephedrone and methylenedioxypyrovalerone (MDPV). Medical professionals are not certain how these compounds are metabolized or how they will react with other drugs. The ingredients in bath salts are not listed on the packages, so users have no way of knowing what they are actually ingesting. The bath salts are sold widely—and legally, for now—in the United States. Although mephedrone and MDPV are not currently controlled in the United States, last year both were placed on DEA's list of "Drugs and Chemicals of Concern."