Overview
Cathinones are a class of stimulants derived from the compounds of the khat plant (Catha edulis). In East Africa and other regions where the khat shrub is found, there are traditions around chewing the leaves for a mild stimulant effect. “Bath salts” refer to synthetic cathinones, which are called that purely as a marketing gimmick to get around regulations for stimulant drugs. When consumed, they have an effect comparable to amphetamines, cocaine, or MDMA. Bupropion is a synthetic cathinone that also functions as a legally prescribed antidepressant, but makes gradual adjustments to the brain’s dopamine and glutamate pathways rather than mimicking the sudden spikes associated with recreational synthetic cathinone use that leads to addiction.