Bath salts have the appearance of those added to people’s baths, to help cleanse and relax. But this is just a method of camouflage, said James Galligan, an MSU pharmacology and toxicology professor.

Instead, these salts are used by people hoping to hallucinate and have a “wonderful trip,” said state Sen. Rick Jones, R-Grand Ledge, who sponsored a similar bill passed in the state Senate in April.

“This product is making people very paranoid and causing a lot of bad trips,” he said. “Trips where they want to harm themselves and possibly others.”

It causes a psychotic effect similar to those created by methamphetamine, ecstasy or LSD.

Manufacturers of bath salts simply have alternated the chemical structure of these other Schedule 1 drugs slightly in order to create a new substance that does not fall under the same drug regulations, Galligan said.

“(Manufacturers) are actually pretty creative,” he said. “They look at chemical structure (and say), ‘If we make small modifications, we’ll have a completely new molecule that’s not regulated.’”

As it is made in fly-by-night laboratories, often in basements and garages, Galligan said this is not a high-quality drug.

Its use can have side effects, including heavy breathing, rapid heart rate, convulsions and hallucinations, which have sent people to the hospital. Jones said users often believe a demon is chasing them and even have committed suicide and homicide after using the drug.

Jones’ bill, which was passed unanimously in the state Senate in April, also calls for the classification of bath salts as a Schedule 1 drug.

Galligan said it’s not surprising both bills received such strong support from lawmakers.

“There’s no upside to (bath salts); it’s all downside,” he said. “So it’s a pretty easy call.”

Jones said he is working with the sponsor of the recently passed House bill, state Rep. Sharon Tyler, R-Niles, to combine their similar bills and get legislation that would outlaw bath salts on the desk of Gov. Rick Snyder soon.

“It’s very important that we safeguard people from this nasty new drug,” Jones said.

The use of bath salts is a growing problem throughout the country.

Jones said these salts are being sold and used in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula, as well as in Mid-Michigan and other areas of the state, sending users to the hospital and even resulting in the death of one Michigan resident.

But even if bath salts are outlawed, state Rep. Matt Lori, R-Constantine, a co-sponsor of the House bill, said the state Legislature likely will have to work to regulate other
substances people find to abuse.

“This will not be the end,” Lori said. “I’m sure somebody will think of something else as we move forward, and legislators will have to take a look at the next ingredient that someone is clever enough to find an illicit use for.”