How Are Bath Salts Used?

Synthetic cathinones usually take the form of a white or brown crystal-like powder, which is typically swallowed, snorted, smoked, or injected. Products sold as Molly often contain synthetic cathinones instead of MDMA.

These drugs 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. They are sold online and in drug paraphernalia stores under a variety of brand names, including Bliss, Cloud Nine, Lunar Wave, Vanilla Sky, and White Lightning.

Synthetic cathinones are part of a group of drugs called new psychoactive substances (NPS)—unregulated psychoactive mind-altering substances with no legitimate medical use, 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.