Synthetic cathinones, more commonly known as "bath salts," are human-made stimulants chemically related to cathinone, a substance found in the khat plant. Khat is a shrub grown in East Africa and southern Arabia, where some people chew its leaves for their mild stimulant effects. Human-made versions of cathinone can be much stronger than the natural product and, in some cases, very dangerous. Learn about the health effects of synthetic cathinones (bath salts) and read the DrugFacts.
Common Names
Bloom, Cloud Nine, Vanilla Sky, White Lightning
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Related Resources
- NIDA for Teens Drug Facts on Bath Salts - Offers resources for teens and teen influencers. Get the latest on how drugs affect the brain and body. Features videos, games, blog posts, and more!
- Easy-to-Read Drug Facts on Bath Salts - Has pictures and videos to help readers understand the text. The website also can read each page out loud.
- The Changing Face of Recreational Drug Use (Cerebrum, January 2016)
- "Bath Salts" - Emerging and Dangerous Products (Archives, Messages from the Director, February 2011)
- Keep “Bath Salts” in the Tub (NIDA for Teens blog post, September, 2011)
Other Resources
- MEDLINEplus Health Information on Drug Abuse (National Library of Medicine, NIH)
- Healthfinder.gov (U.S. Department of Health and Human Services)
Clinical Trials
Clinical trials are research studies in human volunteers conducted to answer specific health questions. Learn about the NIH-sponsored clinical trials available to you.
- NIDA Clinical Trial Locator - answer a few simple questions and get contact information for Clinical Trials near you.