These are synthetic compounds derived from substances found in the khat plant. All those identified so far share a “stimulant” effect similar to that of amphetamines, cocaine, and certain medications used for antidepressant or anti-narcolepsy purposes. Some have a more potent effect than compounds used for medical purposes.
As with any other substance, they can be administered in various ways: intranasally, by inhalation, orally, by injection, rectally, or dissolved in the mouth.
They are commonly disguised and marketed as cosmetic or personal-hygiene products, such as “bath salts,” “energizing baths,” and similar products.
Names that have been used include Ivory Wave, Ivory Pure, Ivory Coast, Purple Wave, Vanilla Sky, Bolivian Bath, Charlie Sheen, Bliss, Blue Silk, Cloud Nine, Drone, Energy-1, Lunar Wave, Meow Meow, Ocean Burst, Red Dove, Snow Leopard, Stardust, Vanilla Sky, White Dove, White Knight, and White Lightning.
They are usually sold as soluble powders containing undeclared psychoactive ingredients that may evade routine testing for commonly abused substances.
Like other stimulants, such as cocaine and amphetamines, they produce excitatory effects. However, the intensity can sometimes be sufficient to produce a state of disorientation and disorganized behavior, eventually followed by sleep or loss of consciousness, with a period of amnesia upon awakening.
Contusions and abrasions are common, as are unusual sexual behaviors, aggression, self-harm, and self-mutilation.
Use is typically solitary, and in approximately one case out of three, the person takes repeated doses over a short period of time. This follows a pattern of progressively impaired control that is ultimately interrupted by loss of consciousness or intervention by medical personnel.
Requests for assistance received by the U.S. poison control centers increased dramatically over an approximately eighteen-month period (2010–2011), from virtually none to more than 700 calls per month.