Increasing Use of Synthetic Cathinones and Their Effect on the Human Body

Introduction

Synthetic Cathinones are dangerous part

of the new wave of designer drugs that
hit the United States in a hurry overt the
last few years. The psychotic effects of
these drugs have taken headlines, but
research is relatively new and the
reasons for the psychoses are still being
pursued. Synthetic Cathinones are
central nervous system stimulants which
include many classes of drugs, but
MDPV (3-4 methylenedioxypyrovalerone)
and mephedrone most prominently
serve as the psychoactive drug in bath
salts. The synthetic Cathinones are
similar to the Schedule 1 controlled
substance, cathinone, which is an
alkaloid shrub with similar
characteristics to ephedrine and
amphetamines.1 Bath Salts are normally
packaged as household goods including
plant food and bathing salts. Their brand
names include Snow, Blizzard, and
White Lighting. They are distributed in
small independently owned
establishments, such as gas stations,
tobacco stores, and the internet. The
increasing number of cases reported
since 2009 has grown from zero cases to
over 2,000 cases
in
2011.
The
Objectives
symptoms include increased energy,
The aim ofheart
this research
is to investigate the
increased
rate, hallucinations,
physiological
effects of synthetic
cathinones
on
paranoia, delusions,
and elevated
blood
the human body when consumed for nonpressure,
suicidalThe
thoughts,
aggressive
medicinal
purposes.
secondary
purpose it to
1
and
homicidal
behavior..
briefly examine the psychological behavior of
users as reported in a case study with numerous
incidences.

Researched by Marc Guinot and Auriell Frederick

Our Lady of the Lake College
Methods

A large case study examined reported incidences in 2011-2012. Of 236

cases documented 78% were male and 24% were female, with a mean age of 29.
Signs and symptoms exhibited after use of cathinones: agitation, combative behavior,
hallucinations, paranoia, confusion, chest pain, myoclonis, hypertension, mydriasis, CPK elevations,
hypokalemia, and blurred vision.
6 Clinical effects displayed a sympathomimetic syndrome, including psychotic episodes which
required sedation.
1 Fatal outcome resulted from a self inflicted gun shot wound.
130 major medical outcomes
were documented.
Results
Figure 1

Figure 1. Synthetic Cathinones: AKA:

Bath Salts
MDPV (3-4 methylenedioxypyrovalerone) and Discussion
mephedrone are the most
prominent in the use of the designer drug bath salts. Bath Salts are similar
to Schedule 1 Drug Cathinone
The chemical effect that causes psychoses is still under research due to new
nature and popularity of drug. The neurological effects of bath salts result
in affected serotonin and dopamine which leads to addiction and re-use.
Mephedrone-causes increase in dopamine.
MDPV-affects reuptake inhibition of Dopamine, causing increase in
dopamine.
Increase in dopamine causes euphoria, and psychotic qualities in high
doses.
A new wave of Designer Drugs Hit U.S. in a flurry with rapid increase in
reported use.
Synthetic cathinones contain an alkaloid shrub similar to amphetamines and
ephedrine.
Goes by Street names such as Vanilla Sky, Ivory Wave, Snow Blizzard, and
White Lightning

Figure 2

Figure 2. Reported Incidents

to U.S. Poison Control
Centers
References
US Department of Justice National Drug and Intelligence Center. (2011). Synthetic cathinones (bath salts): An
emerging domestic threat.U.S. Department of Justice National Drug Intelligence Center, Retrieved from
http://www.justice.gov/archive/ndic/pubs44/44571/4
Saha, S. (2012, October).Commercially available drugs of use: K2 spice, and bath salts. Retrieved from
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Duncan, G. (2012, June). Comprehensive drug information on synthetic cathinones - mdpv,. Retrieved from
http://www.hdap.org/mdpv.html
Weiss, E. (2012, September). New street drug bath salts packs double punch: Mimicking effects of two
powerful narcotics. Retrieved from http://www.biophysics.org/LinkClick.aspx?fileticket=pwEifR0MN4=&tabid=36
Loefffler et al., (2012, September) Spice, Bath Salts, and the U.S. Military: The Emergence of Synthetic
Cannabinoid Receptor Agonists and Cathinones in the U.S. Armed Forces Military Medicine, Volume 177, number
9, Sep. term 2012, p.p. 1041-1048
Spiller, et al. (2011, Jul) Clinical experience with and analytical confirmation of bath salts and legal highs
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Acknowledgments
Our Lady of The Lake
College