News / Synthetic Cathinones Test (Bath Salt - Plant Food)

Our laboratory worked very hard to develop a test for the detection of Synthetic Cathinones "Bath Salts - Plant Food" such as Mephedrone, MDPV and Methylone (Streetnames Cloud 9, Ivory Wave, Vanilla Sky, Zoom, Bloom, Ocean Snow, Legal X etc.)

You do not need to test MDPV and Mephedrone with two separate tests, but our test will detect: MDPV, Methylone and Mephedrone (4-mmc) witn one (1) ampoule only!!

Synthetic Cathinones

These synthetic cathinones are not currently listed in any schedule under the CSA. Synthetic cathinones are designer drugs of the phenethylamine class which are structurally and pharmacologically similar to amphetamine, 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA), cathinone and other related substances. The addition of a beta-keto ([beta]-keto) substituent to the phenethylamine core structure produces a group of substances that now have cathinone as the core structure. These substances have been used as research chemicals. There is no evidence in the scientific literature that these substances have any legitimate non-research uses and the Assistant Secretary has advised that there are no exemptions or approvals in effect under section 505 (21 U.S.C. 355) of the Federal Food, Drug and Cosmetic Act. In other words, these synthetic cathinones have not been approved by the FDA for human consumption.

Synthetic cathinones, like amphetamine, cathinone, methcathinone, and methamphetamine, are central nervous system (CNS) stimulants. The three synthetic cathinones proposed for control, 4-methyl-N-methylcathinone (mephedrone), 3,4-methylenedioxy-N-methylcathinone (methylone), and 3,4-methylenedioxypyrovalerone (MDPV) cause sympathomimetic effects such as agitation, tachycardia, dilated pupils, hyperthermia, diaphoresis (profuse sweating), and hypertension. Because the pharmacological effects of synthetic cathinones are similar to those of methamphetamine, cathinone, methcathinone, and MDMA, the abuse of synthetic cathinones is also likely to be similar to these substances and potentially cause serious harm to the users.

Numerous retail products marketed under the guise of "bath salts" and "plant food" have been analyzed and mephedrone, methylone, and MDPV have been identified in varying mixture profiles and quantities in these products. Mephedrone, methylone, and MDPV are the most commonly encountered synthetic cathinones. These three substances represent more than 98% of the 1429 reported synthetic cathinones that have been seized by law enforcement, as reported to the National Forensic Laboratory Information System (NFLIS), a national repository of drug evidence analysis from forensic laboratories across the United States. Of all the reports of these substances recorded by NFLIS from January 2009 to June 2011, 791 reports (55%) were MDPV, 331 reports (23%) were mephedrone, and 279 reports (20%) were methylone. Thus, these three synthetic cathinones are the subject of this notice of intent.2

[2 See "Background, Data and Analysis of Synthetic Cathinones: Mephedrone (4-MMC), Methylone (MDMC) and 3,4-Methylenedioxy-pyrovalerone (MDPV)," dated August 2011 in this rulemaking docket found at http://www.regulations.gov.]History and Current Pattern of Abuse

The synthetic cathinones mephedrone, methylone, and MDPV have recently emerged on the United States' illicit drug market and are being perceived as being „legal‟ alternatives to cocaine, methamphetamine, and MDMA. Although synthetic cathinones are new to the United States' illicit drug market, they have been popular drugs of abuse in Europe since 2007. MDPV is a derivative of pyrovalerone, which is a psychoactive drug that was used to treat chronic lethargy and fatigue. Research in anti-depressant and anti-parkinson agents resulted in the development and patenting of methylone. Methylone, however, has not been approved for these purposes. There are no currently accepted medical uses in treatment in the United States for mephedrone, methylone, or MDPV.

Mephedrone, methylone, and MDPV are falsely marketed as "research chemicals," "plant food," or "bath salts." They are sold at smoke shops, head shops, convenience stores, adult book stores, and gas stations. They can also be purchased on the Internet and mailed using the U.S. Postal Service or international mail services. The packages of products containing these synthetic cathinones usually have the warning "not for human consumption," most likely in an effort to circumvent statutory restrictions for these substances. Despite disclaimers that the products are not intended for human consumption, retailers promote that routine urinalysis drug tests will not typically detect the presence of these synthetic cathinones. However, analytical methods for the detection of mephedrone, methylone, MDPV, and other synthetic cathinones have recently been developed for these substances.

Evidence indicates that mephedrone, methylone, and MDPV are being abused for their psychoactive properties. Drug surveys found that these and other synthetic cathinones are being used as recreational drugs and are used as alternatives to illicit stimulants like MDMA and cocaine. Accordingly, mephedrone, methylone, and MDPV have been identified in human urine samples that were obtained for routine drug screenings, they have been detected in samples from drivers suspected of driving under the influence, and they have been detected by drug courts during mandatory periodic drug screens. They have also been identified in biological specimens from individuals (some exhibiting symptoms of "extreme agitation" or "excited delirium") who have been arrested for possession of a controlled substance, child endangerment, or homicide. They have been detected in samples from deceased whose causes of death were reported as drug-induced toxicity, multiple drug toxicity, or other causes (e.g., blunt force trauma from a vehicular collision or suicide).

Based on studies in the scientific literature, the marketing of products that contain mephedrone, methylone, and MDPV is geared towards teens and young adults. Accordingly, reports indicate that the main users of synthetic cathinones are young male adults. These substances are also used by mid-to-late adolescents and older adults. Many of these abusers of synthetic cathinones have a previous history of drug abuse.