Media Tip Sheet: Synthetic Cathinones

“Bath salts” is a commonly used term for were marketed in stores and online both What are a class of substances more accurately before and after they were outlawed: as called synthetic cathinones. They are innocuous household products rather “bath salts?” related to a naturally occurring stimulant than as psychoactive drugs. Initially, found in the khat plant, and reportedly what was considered “bath salts” mainly have similar effects as cocaine, MDMA, included methylenedioxyprovalerone and amphetamines.1 Their effects can (MDVP), but today could refer to any include increased energy and alertness, number of synthetic cathinones. an elevated mood, and sociability. In the early 2000s, legal synthetic EXAMPLE PHRASING cathinone products began appearing “ Commonly known as “bath salts,” in convenience stores and bodegas synthetic cathinones are substances in the United States. The term “bath that reportedly have similar effects as salts” comes from how the products cocaine, MDMA, and amphetamines.”

Synthetic cathinones share many of the right dose, or what greater risks come What risks same potential risks as other stimulants: with combining other drugs.2 diminished appetite, increased heart rate, are associated anxiety, confusion, and paranoia. There EXAMPLE PHRASING are significant gaps in our knowledge “A hospitalized man was found to with synthetic concerning both the short and long term have alpha-PVP, commonly known effects of synthetic cathinones, particularly as “flakka,” in his system. Alpha-PVP cathinone use? for newer, less researched substances like is a relatively new substance that alpha-PVP (commonly known as “flakka” falls under the category of synthetic or “gravel”). This, and a lack of regulation, cathinones. Due to a lack of regulation ensures that those taking synthetic and research, much is unknown cathinones often do not know exactly what about what risks are associated with they are taking, whether they are using the alpha-PVP.”

No. In 2010-12, a rash of sensationalized and hyper-aggression.6 These side- Can synthetic media stories reported instances of effects are very rare; their frequency has crazed, violent, and even cannibalistic been grossly exaggerated by the media. cathinone use behavior, supposedly linked to the use In fact, the most notorious of these stories, of “bath salts.”3 A few more cases have involving a man in Miami, later proved to turn people into popped up in the media more recently be unconnected to bath salts.7 as well, primarily out of Florida.4 These crazed flesh- cases exhibit what is known as “excited EXAMPLE PHRASING delirium,” a controversial diagnosis “A man believed to be on “bath eating zombies? that is not officially recognized by the salts” was arrested and hospitalized American Medical Association and other after exhibiting what police described groups, and seems to mainly come up as hyper-aggressive behavior and during instances of excessive police an insensitivity to pain. Despite this force.5 It is characterized by anxiety, report, toxicology later revealed hallucinations, disorientation, a rise in that no synthetic cathinones were in body temperature, insensitivity to pain, his system.” When synthetic cathinone products to the internet and individual sellers. Are synthetic began to appear in convenience Moreover, manufacturers of synthetic stores in the early 2000s they were not cathinones easily skirt the law by making cathinones legal? specifically banned by state or federal small changes to the chemical formulas, drug laws. They were sold legally as producing newer unscheduled, and “plant food” or hygienic products – hence unresearched, synthetic cathinones. the name “bath salts” – and marked “not for human consumption.” In 2012, the EXAMPLE PHRASING Synthetic Drug Abuse Act placed many “ Federal and state laws banning synthetic cathinones into Schedule I synthetic cathinones are easily of the Controlled Substances Act, the sidestepped. Manufacturers simply most prohibitive classification possible. tinker with the chemical formulas and However, this did little to curb access create newer synthetic cathinones to synthetic cathinones among the that are not yet banned.” general public: it simply shifted supply

1. Provide comprehensive drug applications within medicine that are What can education currently unexplored. These substances This should not only alert people of the should be evaluated by regulatory bodies be done to potential risks, but also provide strategies for general health and safety concerns. to reduce potential harm if they choose better manage to use. EXAMPLE PHRASING “To better protect the public from synthetic 2. Provide free public, community-level the risks associated with synthetic access to drug checking services cathinones, drug policy experts cathinone use Synthetic cathinones are often stress the importance of providing taken unknowingly. Products sold as comprehensive drug education, “molly” – a slang term for MDMA – are as well as free, community-level and its risks? often adulterated with “bath salts.”8 access to drug checking services – Making drug checking services publicly so called “bath salts” are often available through community outreach taken unknowingly by those Focusing efforts and resources on services would prevent many deaths. attempting to take MDMA or other banning substances and incarcerating drugs. Additionally, these substances sellers is ineffective and does little to 3. Create research opportunities should be evaluated by regulatory curb supply. Alternative approaches and regulation bodies for general safety concerns and to the challenges these substances Within the wide range of synthetic potential medical applications.” present include: cathinones on the market today, some compounds may hold promising

For more information, Endnotes please see: 1. https://www.erowid.org/references/refs_view.php?ID=8477 www.drugpolicy.org/drug-facts 2. http://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s13181-011-0193-z www.drugpolicy.org/news 3. http://www.thedailybeast.com/articles/2012/06/08/rudy-eugene-brian-de-leon-and-more-crazy- or email: Tony Newman, bath-salt-freakouts.html Media Relations Director 4. http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/nationworld/ct-florida-face-biting-attack-20161123-story.html [email protected] 5. http://www.slate.com/articles/news_and_politics/jurisprudence/2015/06/excited_delirium_ deaths_in_police_custody_diagnosis_or_cover_up.html 6. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3088378/ 7. http://www.miamiherald.com/news/special-reports/causeway-attack/article1940863.html 8. http://www.sciencedirect.com.ezproxy.neu.edu/science/article/pii/S0376871616000570