Synthetic Cathinones

W==Definition== Synthetic cathinones are human-made stimulants chemically related to cathinone, a substance found in the khat plant.

Other names

Synthetic cathinones are more commonly known as bath salts,

Khat plant

• Khat is a shrub grown in East Africa and southern Arabia, where some people chew its leaves for their mild stimulant effects.

Synthetic versions

• Human-made versions of cathinone can be much stronger than the natural product and, in some cases, very dangerous.

No relation to Epsom salts

• Synthetic cathinone products marketed as bath salts should not be confused with products such as Epsom salt that people use during bathing.
• These bathing products have no mind-altering ingredients.

Apperance

Synthetic cathinones usually take the form of a white or brown crystal-like powder and are sold in small plastic or foil packages labeled "not for human consumption." They can be labeled as bath salts, plant food, jewelry cleaner, or phone screen cleaner.

Psychoactive

Synthetic cathinones are part of a group of drugs that concern public health officials called new psychoactive substances (NPS). NPS are unregulated psychoactive mind-altering substances with no legitimate medical use and are made to copy the effects of controlled substances. They are introduced and reintroduced into the market in quick succession to dodge or hinder law enforcement efforts to address their manufacture and sale.

Stimulants

Synthetic cathinones are marketed as cheap substitutes for other stimulants such as amphetamines and cocaine.

Molly

Products sold as Molly often contain synthetic cathinones instead of MDMA also known as Ecstasy.

How taken?

People typically swallow, snort, smoke, or inject synthetic cathinones.

Effect on the brain

Much is still unknown about how synthetic cathinones affect the human brain. A study found that 3,4-methylenedioxypyrovalerone (MDPV), a common synthetic cathinone, affects the brain in a manner similar to cocaine, but is at least 10 times more powerful. MDPV is the most common synthetic cathinone found in the blood and urine of patients admitted to emergency departments after taking bath salts.2

Synthetic cathinones can produce effects that include:

• paranoia—extreme and unreasonable distrust of others
• hallucinations—experiencing sensations and images that seem real but are not
• increased friendliness
• increased sex drive
• panic attacks
• excited delirium—extreme agitation and violent behavior

Risk of death

• Intoxication from synthetic cathinones has resulted in death.

Addictive

• Synthetic cathinones can be addictive.

Treatment

• Behavioral therapy may be used to treat addiction to synthetic cathinones.
• No medications are currently available to treat addiction to synthetic cathinones.

Resources

Frequently asked questions

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