Introduction
Bath salts or Epsom salts are a known remedy for various physical and mental ailments as they have therapeutic properties that soothe the body and calm the mind. It is a fancy bathing product and is used by many as a part of their beauty regimen. They are made up of the mineral compound magnesium sulfate, which has been proven to have medicinal properties. When mixed with the water used for bathing, bath salts can help get rid of minor aches and pains and relax the muscles. However, bath salts have a dangerous side to them as well. Bath salts are also known as synthetic cathinones which are artificial human-made chemical stimulants that are derived from the Khat plant. This plant is commonly found in some parts of East Africa and South Arabia.
What Are Bath Salts?
Epsom bath salts are mineral compounds of magnesium sulfate. These salts are found originally in the natural springs of England. They readily dissolve in water and can potentially be absorbed into the skin. Epsom bath salts are prepared in various aromas and colors to make them more attractive. The other bath salt, synthetic cathinone, is a mild stimulant. When these salts are prepared artificially, their effect is even stronger. They are white or brown crystal-like powder. They are used as recreational drugs; individuals sniff them, smoke them, and even inject them to get stimulant effects. Public health officials have named these as new psychoactive substances and are concerned about the misuse of these substances.
How Are Bath Salts Used?
Bath salts such as Epsom salts are popularly used for bathing. The Epsom salts are soaked in hot water (tolerable by the body) and allowed to dissolve. Additional essential oils and aromas may also be added to this to make the bath more relaxing. The Epsom salts dissolved in the water are absorbed into the skin, relax the muscles, and make the skin soft. This helps in alleviating minor aches in the body. The relaxing aroma also calms the brain and rejuvenates the entire body, thus providing a complete relaxation experience.
What Are the Benefits of Bath Salts?
Bath salts are rich in the mineral magnesium sulfate. Magnesium is essential for maintaining nerve and muscle function, keeping blood sugar levels in check, building strong bones and muscles, and even regulating blood pressure. When an individual is soaked in an Epsom salt bath, minor amounts of this mineral will enter the body and reach the nerve endings, muscles, and the bloodstream, resulting in pain relief in those muscles. The following are potential benefits of using bath salts -
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Decrease in Stress Levels - Epsom salts in a warm water bath improve blood circulation in the body, which is beneficial for all body systems. It completely relaxes the body and mind.
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Improves Insomnia - The magnesium-rich bath will help the body function better and improve the quality of sleep.
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Moisturizes the Skin or Heals Rashes - Epsom salts exfoliate the dead skin cells and provide moisture to the skin and also soothe skin rashes and help heal them.
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Helps With Muscle and Joint Pain - Epsom salts have natural healing properties. Patients with arthritis can benefit from Epsom salt baths as this is rich in magnesium, and immersing the body in water will make the body feel light, eliminating the pressure on the joints.
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Relieve Constipation - Epsom salts can be mixed with water and ingested as this has a laxative effect (laxatives are chemicals or substances that help increase the frequency, bulk, and motility of passing stools).
How Do Bath Salts Affect the Brain?
Synthetic cathinones are substances used for drug abuse. They may be snorted (inhaled through the nose), smoked (by preparing cigarettes), and even injected into the veins to get a stimulating effect (sensation of being high). Synthetic cathinone has effects similar to that of cocaine. Cocaine increases the production of dopamine in the brain.
Dopamine is an important neurotransmitter (chemical messengers that transmit impulses to the brain to regulate function) and hormone that regulates body functions. It is one of the feel-good hormones present in the body, which creates a sense of satisfaction, pleasure, and happiness. This feeling of euphoria (intense feelings of pleasure and excitement) is short-lived. When the effects of the drug wear off, the individual will experience extreme feelings such as sadness, depression, anxiety, and cravings for the drug.
What Are the Possible Side Effects of Bath Salts?
Epsom salt baths are relatively safe for all. But in some cases, it may cause low blood pressure and put the patient at risk of lightheadedness which can cause accidents. The individual may experience symptoms such as
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Nausea and vomiting.
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Flushed appearance of the skin.
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Oral consumption of Epsom salts can also cause diarrhea and abdominal pain.
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Overdose of magnesium can increase the risk of heart problems that may cause stroke, coma, and even death.
Synthetic cathinones affect the entire body. They damage the brain tissue and affect various sensory and motor functions. The individual may experience the following symptoms after taking the drug
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Hallucinations (seeing images and experiencing sensations that are not real).
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The patient becomes very apprehensive and does not seem to trust anyone.
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They may express violent and agitated behavior.
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There will be an increase in sex drive, and they may be overfriendly.
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Panic attacks (it is an episode of intense fear that triggers a strong physical reaction to circumstances.
These drugs are highly addictive, and sudden withdrawal of these drugs from the system may result in adverse symptoms such as - depression, anxiety, tremors, and problems with sleeping.
How Are Individuals With Cathinone Addiction Treated?
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Individuals who are addicted to cathinone require supportive care and therapy.
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They need to be enrolled in a rehabilitation center that will take care of their physical and mental health after drug withdrawal so that they will not resort to consuming drugs again.
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Monitoring the vital signs and administering appropriate medicines and fluids are necessary for such patients.
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Counseling and moral support are also critical in managing patients with addiction.
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Teenagers and young adults require special motivational and behavioral management programs as they are more impulsive and need to be handled more carefully.
Conclusion:
Epsom salts are a natural remedy to treat muscle and joint pain, constipation, and stress management. However, it is not a permanent solution to these ailments and may not completely cure the disease. It only provides symptomatic relief to the patient. When used inaccurately in the form of drug abuse, this substance can be life-threatening. Addiction to cathinone can cause serious complications in the entire body system and be fatal.
