Gamma Hydroxy Butyrate (GHB)

GHB (gamma hydroxybutyrate ) is a naturally occurring component of human cells that is usually used as an intoxicating chemical obtained by the mixture of " lactone " (short for gamma butyrlactone -GBL) and lye (sodium hydroxide) in the proper amounts. When GBL or BD or products containing them are ingested, GHB is produced in the body. GHB can be taken in the form of a chemical salt (Na-GHB or K-GHB) but is more often mixed with water having as a result an odorless , colorless liquid form with similar effects to alcohol, sleep-aids, or as a supplement by body-builders.

GHB was developed in the early 60s as a human anesthetic , but was discontinued due to unwanted side effects. It's use as a sleep aid and body building supplement in the 80s and as a recreational psychoactive in the 90s led to it being scheduled in the U.S. in March of 2000.

GHB is usually ingested in a liquid mixture; most commonly mixed with alcohol. Even though it has been used with medical purposes it has become popular among teens and young adults at dance clubs and "raves" and body builders who use GHB for its alleged anabolic effects.

It's a very simple chemical to synthesize so it is most commonly produced by the local black market and sold by the cup in a range from $5 to $25 per cup. Its highly concentrated street form is available in small plastic bottles, containing approximately 9 hits per bottle (one dosage is usually a capful).

Street Names

GHB has become increasingly popular getting up to more than 80 street names:

G, Liquid Ecstasy, Liquid E, Liquid X, Scoop, AKA, Alcover , Aminos , Blue Nitro, Blue Thunder, Cherry Meth , Dormir , Easy Lay, Eclipse, Enliven, Everclear , Fantasy & One4B (NZ), Fingernail Polish Remover, Firewater, Flower Power, FX, Gamma 10, Gamma-OH, G eorgia H ome B oy, GH Buddy, GH Gold, Gina,Swirl , Goop , G reat H ormones at B edtime, G rievous B odily H arm, G- riffick , Inner G, Ink Jet Cartridge Cleaner, Invigorate, Jib, Midnight Blue, Organic Quaalude, Paint Stripper, Plant Food, Puritech , Renewtrient , Rejoov , Remforce , Revivarant , Salty Water, Serenity, Soap, Sodium Oxybate , SomatoPro , Somax , Tranquili G, Thunder Nectar, Verve, Vita G, Water, Weight Belt Cleaner, White Magic Cleaner, Woman's Viagra, Xyrem , Zen

Other Chemical Names used for gamma butyrolactone ( GBL ):

gamma-6480 * agrisynth blo * gamma- bl * blo * blon * 4-butanolide * 1, 2-butanolide * 1,4-butanolide * butyric acid, 4-hydroxy-, gamma- lactone * butyric acid lactone * butyrolactone * alpha- butyrolactone * gamma- butyrolactone * 4-butyrolactone * butyrylactone * butyryl lactone * 4-deoxytetronic acid * dihydro-2(3h)- furanone * 4- hydroxybutanoic acid lactone * 4-hydroxybutanoic acid, gamma- lactone * gamma- hydroxybutyric acid cyclic ester * 4-hydroxybutyric acid lactone * 4-hydroxybutyric acid, gamma- lactone * gamma- hydroxybutyric acid lactone * gamma- hydroxybutyrolactone * nci-c55878 * 2-oxolanone * tetrahydro-2-furanone *

GHB Analog: that turn into GHB inside the body GBL, BD, Blue Nitro, Revivarant , Renewtrient , GAMMA-BUTYROLACTONE, Revitalize Plus, Serenity, Enliven, GHRE, SomatoPro , NRG3, Thunder Nectar and Weight Belt Cleaner, Invigorate, Firewater, Verv , and more

Effects

GHB affects the release of dopamine in the brain, usually causing effects ranging from relaxation to sleep at low doses. Overall, the effect characterization is extremely similar to alcohol, (intoxication, increased energy, happiness, talking, desire to socialize, feeling affectionate and playful, mild disinhibition , sensuality, enhanced sexual experience, muscle relaxation, loss of coordination due to loss of muscle tone, possible nausea, difficulty concentrating, loss of gag reflex) with the duration slightly longer, the hangover effects slightly less, and the unpleasant and dangerous overdose effect of possibly causing temporarily unrousable sleep (coma).

One of the major concerns with GHB is that even small overdoses can cause temporary unrousable unconsciousness (a type of coma) and large overdoses (poisonings) can be life-threatening. There are two other chemicals which are used as GHB equivalents: 1 ,4 -butanediol and gamma butyrlactone .

In lower doses, GHB causes drowsiness, dizziness, nausea, and visual disturbances. At higher dosages, unconsciousness, seizures, severe respiratory depression, and coma.

Overdoses usually require emergency room treatment, including intensive care for respiratory depression and coma. As of November 2000, DEA documented 71 GHB-related deaths.

GHB has been used in the commission of sexual assaults because it renders the victim incapable of resisting, and may cause memory problems that could complicate case prosecution.

Duration
The primary effects of GHB last approximately 1 ½ hours. For many people there is an additional period of time (1-2 hrs) of more subtle effects. Some users consume GHB in a manner similar to alcohol, sipping it slowly over an evening rather than drinking a full dose all at once. In this case the duration will be longer as the period of ingestion is stretched out over time.

Xyrem

Xyrem is a drug whose active ingredient is sodium oxybate , (gamma hydroxybutyrate or GHB), used to reduce the number of cataplexy attacks in patients with narcolepsy (cataplexy is a condition characterized by weak or paralyzed muscles).

The FDA has approved Xyrem , manufactured by Orphan Medical, as a safe and effective medication for use in a limited population when properly prescribed.

In the early 1990s, GHB was marketed as a dietary supplement for many claimed purposes, including inducing sleep, releasing growth hormone, enhancing sexual activity and athletic performance, and relieving depression. It also gained favor as a recreational drug, and was used for date rape, because of its intoxicating effects.

Many serious adverse, events including deaths, were reported with the use and misuse of the GHB containing products. As use increased, so did the adverse event reports. That prompted FDA to make several public announcements alerting consumers to the dangers surrounding GHB and similar products.

While these products were listed as "party drugs" on Internet sites, advertised in muscle-building magazines, and sold in health food stores as dietary supplements, the FDA considered them to be unapproved new drugs and seizured the products to prevent their sale to consumers and any further illnesses or deaths.

However, since that time, Orphan Medical has conducted studies that show GHB is useful in reducing the number of cataplexy attacks in patients with narcolepsy.

Xyrem may interfere with the ability to do certain things that require full attention. Do not drive a car, operate heavy machinery, or perform any activity that is dangerous or that requires mental alertness for at least 6 hours after taking Xyrem . Do not drink alcohol or take sedatives. Alcohol and certain medicines can increase the chance of dangerous side

* GHB is the safest and most beneficial compound known to man (next to water)

GHB proponents often call GHB a " dietary supplement ." GHB reports written by proponents of GHB can seem medically accurate due to medical references which they choose to include in their papers and reports – they are already biased toward the use of GHB, therefore their reports are biased.

* GHB is not dangerous when used by itself OR GHB is safe when taken as directed and used responsibly

GHB proponents and sellers claim that it is unlikely to die or OD on GHB without another substance in the body. Although deaths have occurred from GHB used in combination with other drugs, it is false to say that GHB alone cannot kill you. ANY ABUSED SUBSTANCE CAN KILL ALONE .

The facts show that GHB IS dangerous. It is unstable, just like the research about it. There are many facets of GHB that experts don't even know yet!

Yes, deaths do occur due to GHB. These deaths are often not documented. One of the reasons for this is that GHB leaves the system very quickly, with no trace, and there are no modern   ways to quickly test for GHB overdose. Not even every coroner's department has the testing capability. So, yes, people DO die from GHB.

The DEA has begun compiling a list of deaths by State . Read the known deaths so far. These are known deaths only, and as such do not include deaths caused by GHB that go undetected.

Many Internet reports and information do not mention the deaths attributed to GHB use or poisoning . In fact, they will deny that these deaths were from GHB. They downplay that GHB was found in the body or on the scene. ( not the normal amount of GHB that is produced when a person dies; this is GHB in excess of normal amounts). They will claim and do claim that it was the use of other substances that caused the deaths or overdoses.

* If your friend passes out on GHB, don't call the hospital - you'll save on "unnecessary" hospital bills and he or she will just wake up

Many people have been put on life support while on a GHB overdose. Some come out of it. Others die or live in a vegetative state. But GHB proponents say that these are not really comas. Just a deep sleep . Huh ?

* GHB improves your health, standard of living, and mental awareness

Unfortunately, these proponents of GHB don't even consider it a drug, claiming that it is a natural metabolite in the human body. Well, iron is found in the body, I don't go out and take too many iron pills for energy. That would be dangerous, even deadly. Water is found in the body, but I don't drink so much of it that I drown myself; And so on. Just because trace, minute amounts of GHB are found in a human body doesn't make the substance safe to consume!

Medical Claims: As far as claims about medical and health use of GHB: whether or not any substance has medical benefit, this does not make it safe to use on a personal or social basis without supervision by a physician. There are MANY substances that ARE used in hospitals and treatment centers for valid purposes, but these same substances are illegally and unsafely being made, sold and used on the street. As of this writing, the only legal use of GHB is in trial stages for the treatment of narcolepsy.

* GHB is not addictive

GHB is addictive, and withdrawals are LIFE THREATENING! Please read this comment from Trinka Porrata , Retired Police Officer and Drug Consultant: "As I continue my extensive research on GHB, the news only gets worse. For so long the info was that this isn't an addictive drug and no big deal. Now it is readily apparent that it is highly addictive and, worse yet, getting off of it is tougher than many other drugs. Addicts stand by---you are looking at two weeks in intensive care to shake it. Going into a regular drug withdrawal program without a doctor specifically experienced in GHB is dangerous. I recently interviewed a man who takes 20-30 capfuls per day just to MAINTAIN. He gets no buzz from that dosage. But anything less sends him into the violent shakes and horrible withdrawal pains associated with this drug." More information on GHB addiction is forthcoming, including resources for safe GHB withdrawal and detox .

Bibliography

http://www.dea.gov/concern/ghb_factsheet.html

http://www.fda.gov/cder/drug/infopage/xyrem/xyrem_qa.htm

http://www.projectghb.org/what_is_ghb.htm

http://www.erowid.org/chemicals/ghb/ghb.shtml

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