Emerging Drugs of Choice: Synthetic Marijuana & Bath Salts

Posted on September 19th 2012

Synthetic drugs like Bath Salts and Spice are still wreacking havoc despite bans made by the Drug Enforcement Administration in 2010 and 2011.

In late 2010, the D.E.A. banned 5 chemicals used in synthetic marijuana, whose affects are similar to the chemical in marijuana, THC. In October 2011, the D.E.A. banned 3 chemicals used in Bath Salts: mephedrone, MDPV, and methylone. Currently, these drugs are restricted for sale in the United States while the D.E.A. determines if these chemicals should be permanently banned.

Growing Popularity

The trouble is that both Bath salts and Spice are synthetic drugs-- they are made in a lab by experienced chemists. The makers need only change one molecule in the makeup of the chemical to make the substance legal again. In addition, the substances are widely available on the Internet, making it harder for the D.E.A. to crack down on distribution.

The evidence of the growing popularity is evident on YouTube, with many users filming and posting their experiences for the world to see. Emergency rooms across the country also document the increased use of synthetic drugs; thousands of users are going to the E.R. for dangerously high blood pressure and heart rate, muscle break down, kidney failure, and even heart attacks. E.R. visits are also skyrocketing for psychiatric help, with synthetic drug users experiencing dangerous hallucinations and psychotic behavior.

Synthetic marijuana and Psychosis

According to recent research conducted by the American Psychiatric Association, synthetic marijuana can cause prolonged psychosis, lasting anywhere from a few hours, to a few weeks, or even months. Patients symptoms auditory and visual hallucinations, paranoid dillusions, disorganized speech, insomnia and thoughts of suicide.

Synthetic marijuana is even more dangerous than real marijuana because of the way it binds to receptors in the brain. The chemicals are about 5 times stronger in their ability to bond to the CB1 receptors in the brain than real marijuana.

Bath Salts and Violence

Recent news headlines described violent attacks made by bath salts users. In Miami, a 31 year-old bath salt user viciously attacked another man in broad daylight, creating a scene that sounds more like a horror movie than real life. Other unspeakably violent acts have taken place in Calgary, Canada, Bangor, Maine, and Munnsville, New York.

What Can You Do?



Get the conversation going! Speak to your students about the dangers of synthetic drugs. Encourage students to share stories, experiences, questions and concerns.

HRM Video offers a number of products on this topic:

Emerging Drugs of Abuse -- a 20-minute video focusing on the risks of new, synthetic drugs including synthetic marijuana and bath salts. Grades 7-College

Bath Salts: The Deadly Facts -- a 19-minute video focusing on bath salts, a synthetic amphetamine. Grades 7-College

High on Spice: The Dangers of Synthetic Marijuana -- a 14-minute video focusing on synthetic marijuana, also known as Spice. Grades 7-College

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