Have you ever wondered about the usage and meaning of methylone?
Methylone is a new type of synthetic drug that’s evading both local and state laws. Its appearance and chemical composition are almost undetectable. As a “designer drug,” chemists can change their molecules with ease.
It allows them to prevent methylone from matching any existing drug composition. This synthetic drug is often called bath salts. Chemists can cook up a different version of the current chemical compound that got compromised.
Methylone has the potential to remain invisible even in drug tests. However, abuse of this substance can still reveal some tell-tale signs. Here are facts you need to be aware of about bath salts and the effects of their abuse:
They are Not Epsom Salts
Epsom salts, the original bath salts, consist of safe chemical compounds. The mineral mixture of magnesium and sulfate helps to ease stress and relax the muscles.
On the other hand, the methylone type of bath salts can hide in disguise as plant food or jewelry cleaner. Its crystal-like powder appearance is what allows for easy distribution. This characteristic is what makes it easy for them to pose as bath salts.
A Substitute to Ecstasy
Molly is shorthand for molecules. It means that the drug is pure, with only a single chemical substance. It’s commonly used to refer to ecstasy since this drug is a pure MDMA.
The chemical composition of methylone is comparable to that of MDMA and amphetamine. Most dealers sell it as a substitute to ecstasy, calling methylone the new Molly.
Comes with Different Aliases
Your awareness of these aliases could help you identify potential users. You can check if the language used and symptoms match up. Different handles used for this drug include:
- Explosion
- Bubbles
- MDMCAT
- Ease
- White lightning
- Cloud9
- Ivory wave
Aside from Molly, there are other street names for methylone. Bath salt is one, and it’s getting the limelight little by little.
Bath Salts are Easy to Get
President Barack Obama signed the ban on bath salts. Its proliferation slowed down at first, but it’s in revival once again. Bringing down its usage to a minimal level proved challenging.
More people can now get methylone because it’s easy to get since even online and retail stores can sell them. They hide methylone under names like insect repellent, plant food, and stain remover.
All packages sent to the U.S. undergo thorough inspections. However, even drug-sniffing dogs find it hard to detect methylone.
Since its chemical composition can undergo modification, it can pass detection when shipped. Changes in packaging and colors can also confuse authorities.
Deadlier than Ecstasy
Although this drug is almost comparable to ecstasy, it’s much more dangerous. The stimulant effect and dangers of abusing methylone are more extreme. Most kids who have a drug addiction to bath salts end up in psych wards and bound with restraints.
There are several mental conditions that this drug can trigger. Some of them are schizophrenia and acute psychosis.
Young people with underlying disease of schizophrenia are at high risk. Methylone can trigger other mental conditions as well, including anxiety and depression. The overdose death rate continues to rise with illicit drugs such as methylone.
Bath salts are most harmful when snorted or administered through needle injection. When mixed with other drugs or alcohol, this drug becomes even more potent.
Increases Cardiovascular Risks
Bath salts are a derivative of amphetamine. This means that it’s a central nervous system stimulant.
You can observe its most pronounced effects from the way it changes a drug abuser’s brain. However, it also has underlying cardiovascular risks.
Amphetamine affects the part of the nervous system connected with the heart. It causes the brain to produce large amounts of adrenaline or the “flight or fight” hormone. As a result, it causes the following effects:
- Accelerated heart rate
- Constricted blood vessels
- Increased blood pressure
The combination of these effects can be fatal. They can put undue stress on the cardiovascular system over time. People using bath salts can experience any of the following outcomes:
- Myocardial infarction or heart attack
- Stroke
- Cerebral edema
- Coma
- Cardiovascular collapse
- Death
People with underlying cardiovascular problems are more susceptible to these complications. Thus, they must steer clear of using methylone.
Abuse Results to Severe Outcomes
Abusing bath salts can lead to alarming consequences. Since it affects the brain, some people end up committing bizarre crimes:
- A man slashed himself because he needs to remove “wires” in his body.
- A mother who left her “demon-ridden” child on the highway.
- A family physician shot himself because he thought the police were going to take him away.
The onset of these effects doesn’t only show up after several uses. Some people, like the physician, only snorted the bath salts once.
It Has a Lingering Effect
Methylone has a longer-lasting effect compared to other street drugs. It causes the brain to continue releasing dopamine. At the same time, methylone prevents this stimulant from leaving the brain.
Bath salts kill neurons in the brain, altering its physical function. It can cause the early onset of Parkinson’s disease and speed up memory loss.
Potent sedatives should be able to counter its stimulating effect. However, even people hospitalized for two weeks can be resilient to the treatment.
Compared to cocaine, the effects of bath salts won’t diminish when taken away. As a consequence, bath salt users remain high for more extended periods.
Adverse Effects on the Body
Bath salt users experience extreme dehydration and kidney failure. Muscle tissues that attach to the bone break down as well. You may also experience:
- sweating
- dizziness
- irritability
- depression
- panic attacks
- hallucinations
- cloudy thinking
- violent behavior
- increased heart rate
- reduced control of movements
- euphoria (feeling intense happiness)
- increased friendliness and sex drive
- paranoia, agitation, and nervousness
- feeling sick to the stomach and vomiting
People who are under the influence of this debilitating drug can become psychotic. They lose touch with reality and become more violent. This also causes the user to feel moody and agitated in his or her surroundings.
Overcome Methylone Abuse and Addiction
These facts can help you determine if someone you know is a bath salt user. You should note that methylone is quite new. Thus, there’s no FDA-approved drug available to help with medication-assisted therapy.
However, early treatment through a specialized detox process can help with addiction recovery.
Are you or someone you love addicted to bath salts? We can help you take the first step into achieving a drug-free life. Contact us today, and we’ll help you break free from the pain and addiction.
