special subjects
Bath Salts
Introduction
"Bath salts," a slang term used to describe a group of stimulant drugs that contain chemicals called cathinones, are chemically distinct from the bath salts they resemble. (Traditional bath salts used for bathing are usually a combination ofsodium chloride, magnesium chloride,sodium bicarbonate,glycerin, and fragrances.) Cathinones are Amphetamines -like stimulants derived from the plant Recently, khat use has spread to other countries, and much stronger, man-made (synthetic) cathinones (marketed as "bath salts" to circumvent laws regarding controlled substances) have become drugs of abuse. Bath salts can be inhaled, smoked, and sometimes injected. These products, which are frequently labeled "not for human consumption," are not used for bathing. (See also Overview of Substance-Related Disorders .) 