Bath salts are a rather new category of designer drugs. The name is derived from cases in which the medicines were disguised as dead sea salts. They can be found in almost any store selling health products. They are most commonly found in online stores and on websites that sell beauty supplies.
One way to use bath salts from dead sea salt is for a foot soak. By soaking the feet in a solution that contains essential oils, one can relieve muscle pain, improve circulation, and relax muscles. These essential oils can be obtained from plants or synthesized. The crystals, powders, or white flakes often resemble Epsom salt but are different chemically.
The primary substance in bath salt is magnesium chloride. There are two other substances found in it, and they are commonly known as synthetic cannabinoids. These synthetic drugs are not well understood, although some research has been done on them. Some studies have shown that synthetic cannabinoids have the ability to reduce brain activity in certain people with Alzheimer's disease. However, more studies need to be conducted before these claims are proven true.
Another type of bath salt containing synthetic cathinones is black stoneware. Black stoneware is made by crushing and soaking hardwood in strong acid, usually chlorine. This process gives the wood a foul odor, which is caused by the cathinones found in the wood. Black stoneware can be used as an abrasive when cracked or pricked.
Like bath salt, some synthetic drugs can cause addiction. Research has not shown that bath salt is highly addictive, but people who use it on a regular basis may experience cravings for the drug. The evidence surrounding the addiction issue is unclear, and it remains unclear whether the addiction occurs only with repeated use, or whether the addiction is actually related to long-term use. Because of this potential risk for addiction, the Food and Drug Administration has not approved any bath salts or other artificial drugs for human consumption.
In considering the possible public health risks of bath salts, it is important to note that a large number of these products are marketed as "bath salts" or "potpourri" instead of "bath salts". Some manufacturers claim to market them as "medicinal potpourri" or "herbal potpourri". This term has no legal standing in the United States and is often used misleadingly to circumvent the restrictions that apply to the sale of medications and other labeling materials containing herbs or other naturally growing plants. For example, florists are allowed to claim their product as a "plant medicine" if they sell it as a concentrated flower essential oil. This does not mean that the product is dangerous, but since the FDA has not approved the term "potpourri" or "herbal potpourri" the chances of the products containing plant ingredients having a potentially negative impact on public health are unclear.
When someone takes a bath or showers with bath salts, they may experience a variety of symptoms, including are a tingling sensation in the hands and feet, a gritty sensation of the skin in the area of application, sore muscles, muscle spasms, increased heart rate, and an increase in blood pressure. Individuals who regularly take baths with these products may also notice that the water feels warmer when they step into it or that it "breathes" better. Some users have reported that after soaking in the saltwater for several hours, their body feels "warmer" and their pores seem to be open slightly more than they do when they bathe normally.
Unfortunately, the evidence surrounding the effects of salt on health is largely inconclusive, as the studies that have been done have either been poorly executed or have failed to control for numerous variables. Therefore, it is difficult to establish whether or not taking bath water with Epsom salt actually makes people sicker. What is clear, however, is that it does make people feel better by producing a pungent scent in the air, making take baths easier. In addition to the short-term health benefits of regular use, Epsom salt baths may even help reduce the severity of colds and other illnesses.
