Something which sounds as harmless as “bath salts” is actually a synthetic drug and the results can be deadly.

Bath salts contain amphetamine-like chemicals such as methylenedioxypyrovalerone (MDPV), mephedrone, and pyrovalerone. They’re referred to as a “designer drug of the phenethylamine class” by the Drug Enforcement Administration. Other drugs in this class include amphetamines, mescaline, and ephedrine. MDPV comes in a powdered form that is inhaled, swallowed or shot into a vein. Bath Salts are sold as “cocaine substitutes” or “synthetic LSD”.

When MDPV gets to the brain, the effects include producing feelings of empathy, stimulation, alertness, euphoria, sensory awareness and hallucinations. Other reported effects include rapid heart rate, high blood pressure, and sweating. According to the DEA, MDPV has been reported to cause intense panic attacks, psychosis, and a strong desire to use the drug again.

Public awareness is growing as popularity of the drug has made it’s way into schools causing parents and teachers to be on the lookout for changes in behavior.

This highly addictive substance has resulted in a rise of emergency room visits and calls to poison control.

The resulting psychosis which can occur has led to devastating violence such as that seen in the video above.