Bath Salts (Synthetic Cathinones)

The innocuous name bath salts typically refers to a complex substance, 3,4-methylenedioxypyrovalerone (MDPV) alone or in combination with related synthetic chemicals including mephedrone (2-(methylamino)-1- (4-methylphenyl)-1-propanone). This label was applied to avoid its prohibition and to enable someone selling it to avoid fines or imprisonment. The substance 3,4-methylenedioxypyrovalerone is formally classified as a norepinephrine dopamine reuptake inhibitor and is chemically related to the stimulant leaf khat in that it is derived from cathinone, though synthetic in nature and of greater potency. Bath salts also have some structural similarity to methylenedioxy-methamphetamine (ecstasy) and have also been reported to produce a false positive drug test for phencyclidine, both of which are hallucinogens. Common brand names for bath salts marketed via the Internet include Blue Silk, Charge, Ivory Snow, ...