According to a recent article in Medical News Today, Michele M. Leonhart, an administrator with the DEA, says there isn't any tolerance for people who are in the business of manufacturing, distributing and selling synthetic stimulants such as bath salts anywhere in the U.S. The DEA says these items are being sold under the name "bath salts" or even "plant foods" and marketed with such fancy names as Ivory Wave, Purple Wave, Bliss or Vanilla Sky. The chemicals in these products mimic cocaine, methamphetamine, LSD and MDMA.

The DEA is currently using emergency authority to control such products for the time being, stating they are an imminent hazard to our public. Side effects of bath salts and other synthetic stimulants vary, sometimes causing violent episodes, impairing perception, reducing motor control, and causing disorientation and extreme paranoia.

The ban focuses on the three main stimulants that can be snorted in order to obtain a quick high: mephedrone, methylone and methylenedioxpyrovalerone, or MDPV. A statement from the DEA says the recent action was absolutely necessary to protect the general public from the impending hazard posed by these harmful chemicals. They are unsure at this time whether or not these synthetic chemicals will be permanently controlled by the DEA.

Bath salts and synthetic stimulants have been especially popular among young adults and teens and are being sold at various retail stores and also on the Internet. The products have not been approved by the Federal Drug Administration and therefore the manufacturing process is not being monitored to test for medical usages or human consumption.

The long-range physical and psychological effects of bath salts and other synthetic drugs are unknown but potentially quite harmful. The known side effects from snorting bath salts range from chest pains to dizziness, vomiting and paranoia.