Monday, March 5, 2012

"Tainted Spice"

Today I read an article about "tainted spice". I clicked on the article because the link between kidney failure and tainted spice seemed like something I should be aware of. I cook with spices, and if one of them could be tainted, I should be informed. 

This experience reminded me of trying hard to understand how I would distinguish between bath salts and "bath salts". Could I accidentally bring home "bath salts" instead of bath salts, all unknowing?! 

The tainted "spice" is apparently a synthetic marijuana, and "bath salts" are . . . well, to be perfectly honest, I still don't know what the heck they are. I've read several articles relating to them, and at first I thought people were doing something strange with the same bath salts I use in a bath. I don't think that's the case, but I'm not 100% clear on this.

I think there should be a law against changing the meaning of words that us old fogeys think we understand.

4 comments:

  1. I agree. I am also confused about the bath salts. But I don't use either kind so this one doesn't affect me too much.

    Let's hope the tainted "spice" issue doesn't result in having to give my name, address and ID whenever I want to buy spices (just like we have to do to buy pseudephedrine). Wait... kidney failure? That sounds pretty severe.

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  2. Someone gave me some sassafras tea and I ended up spending hours reading about it. Perfectly safe or deadly poison? Am I making a suicide pact with my teacup? The annoying problem with Google is that inaccuracies (and just plain nonsense) get equal billing with the facts. Find a reputable site and go with that.

    "Bath salts" are drugs for idiots sold at the gas station mini-mart and bath salts are epsom salts, fragrance and citric acid. You can make your own if you don't get any for Christmas.

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    1. I think part of what confuses me so much about this is that they appear to be openly sold in stores. How is that possible if everyone knows it's a drug? This confuses me :-)

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