GHB, GBL

Category: Depressant intoxicant

Chemical name: gamma-hydroxybutyrate

• GHB is a sedative used as a sleep-aid as well as a recreational intoxicant. At high doses it is known to induce a coma-like sleep for several hours. It is produced most commonly in the form of a chemical salt that looks like a powder and which is most often mixed with water and taken orally for recreational use. This mixture is colourless and odourless, but has a distinct salty taste.
• A standard recreational dose of pure GHB powder is between 1-3 g, but once it is dissolved into water there is virtually no way to know what the concentration of GHB is. One of the main concerns with GHB use is that the recreational dosage range is narrow. Even small overdoses of 1-2 grams can cause coma and large overdoses can be life-threatening.
• The onset of GHB’s effects will vary depending on how much is taken and how recently one has eaten. Generally, effects begin between 10 and 20 minutes and continue to get stronger for 30-60 minutes. The effects will last approximately 1 and a half to 2 hours, with an additional period of time (about 1-2 hours) of experiencing subtle effects. Some recreational users will sip an amount of GHB slowly over the course of an evening, instead of drinking a full dose at once. In this case, the effects will last longer.
• GBL (chemical name: gamma-butyrolactone) is a similar type of drug with very similar effects. Once it is administered and inside the body, GBL turns into GHB.

*Reactions and experiences may vary dramatically from person to person.*

Effects on brain:

Short term:

• GHB works on the dopamine system, preventing the release of dopamine at the synapse while causing the neurons to produce more dopamine at the same time. GHB affects the serotonin system as well, increasing serotonin levels and creating feelings of well-being and euphoria.

• GHB is not known to be neurotoxic. Unlike most other drugs, GHB is not a foreign substance (your body recognizes it and uses it) so it does not need to be detoxified through the body systems.

Effects on body:

Short term:

• Possible immediate effects include decreased motor skills, dizziness, difficulty focusing eyes, slurred speech, grogginess, nausea. At the overdose level, individuals may experience extreme grogginess or unconsciousness, extreme dizziness, disorientation and vomiting. With higher overdoses/poisonings, users may experience unconsciousness, convulsions, vomiting and potentially depressed breathing.

• GHB is not known to be toxic to the body. Unlike most other drugs, GHB is not a foreign substance (your body recognizes it and uses it) so it does not need to be detoxified through the body systems. This means that it does not harm the liver or kidneys.

Effects on behaviour:

Short term:

• Possible immediate effects include feelings of relaxation, reduced inhibitions, mood lift, increased appreciation of music, dancing and talking, euphoria, and increased sexual desire.

• When GHB wears off, a dopamine rebound occurs, which is essentially the flush of accumulated dopamine being released in the nervous system. This often results in increased well-being, alertness and arousal the next day.

Addiction: The addictive potential of GHB is not well known, but it appears that GHB can be both physically and psychologically addictive for a small percentage of users.

Tolerance: Frequent users will develop tolerance to GHB, where larger doses are needed to achieve the same desired effects.

Withdrawal Symptoms: Severe withdrawal symptoms have been reported following a few consecutive days of repeated use. Symptoms include strong cravings for the drug, difficulty sleeping, anxiety, muscle aches, bone aches, vertigo, chest pains, tightness in the chest and sensitivity to sound, light or touch. For regular users, these withdrawal symptoms usually last between 2-3 weeks until the body comes back into balance. Some users find it more comfortable to gradually taper off dosages over 2-3 weeks, rather than stopping cold turkey.

*Disclaimer! Nothing you do can make using GHB completely safe. All drug use has inherent risks and dangers. The suggestions in this section can only help you reduce some of the associated risks. The best way to avoid the harms related to drug use is to not take the drug at all.*

• GHB is illegal under the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act, therefore if you are caught possessing, exchanging, buying or selling this drug it can result in criminal charges.
• Drug use affects the developing mind and body differently than developed ones. Waiting until your mind and body have more fully developed before using substances can have long term health and mental benefits.
• Even at low doses, avoid driving or operating heavy machinery.
• It is strongly recommended that asthmatics and those experiencing other respiratory problems or low blood pressure should avoid GHB.
• Avoid taking GHB with alcohol, as this causes cumulative depressive effects as well as increased nausea and vomiting. GHB, when mixed with alcohol, can slow breathing down to a dangerously low rate, which has caused a number of deaths in the past.
• Avoid mixing GHB with other depressants and opiates.
• Improperly manufactured GHB can contain contaminants which may be toxic. Know your source and ask questions if you’re unsure about what you’re getting.
• Know your dosage. Since it is so easy to overdose on GHB, it is important to know and control your dosage. The difference between an enjoyable dose and vomiting can be as little as a quarter of a gram of pure GHB. The difference between an effective dose and an overdose can be as little as 1 or 2 grams. Appropriate dosages will vary depending on body weight, individual characteristics and the drug itself. A low dose of pure GHB (from half a gram to one and a half grams) will usually cause effects similar to those of 1-3 drinks of alcohol. A medium dose of one to two and a half grams increases the relaxing effects and physical disequilibrium. A heavy dose of pure GHB (more than two and a half grams) can increase feelings of disequilibrium even more and causes many people to feel quite ill.
• A dosage that was perfect one time may be an overdose next time. Effective dosages depend on a variety of factors including body weight and how much food is in the stomach. If you’re unsure about dosage and want to be careful start with half a teaspoon and wait at least an hour or two before deciding whether to take more.
• Once you have taken a dose, avoid taking more for at least two hours. Using more frequently than that increases the risk of overdose.
• Unfortunately, GHB is most frequently found in liquid form of widely variable concentration. 1 gram of GHB powder can be dissolved into as little as 1 ml of water (though sludgy at that concentration, this makes 5 g per teaspoon) or a much greater volume and there is virtually no way to tell the concentration once it's in liquid form. The only way to know the concentration of liquid GHB is to know and trust information provided by the source.
• Overdose symptoms include vomiting and unconsciousness, but with extremely high dosages of GHB, poisoning can occur and can be life-threatening. If someone exhibits overdose symptoms, call 911 and stay with the individual until help arrives.
• GHB should be stored in a container which could never be mistaken for a beverage container and liquid GHB should be colored blue so it cannot be mistaken for water. Powdered GHB is much less likely to be accidentally ingested.
• At higher dosage levels, GHB can cause vomiting and unconsciousness, a very dangerous combination. Vomiting while laying unconscious on your back can cause inhalation of the vomit, leading to suffocation and damage to the lungs. Ensure that individuals who are unconscious are turned on their side and stay that way, regardless of whether they are vomiting or not. If an individual is unconscious and starts vomiting, make sure their airway remains clear and that their chin is not pressed up against their chest, call 911 for professional help and constantly monitor the individual until help arrives. People who find themselves in this situation alone should do their best to position themselves on their sides before losing consciousness.
• GHB can enhance orgasm, help to sustain erections, and can have disinhibiting effects. As a result, sex sessions may be more rigorous or prolonged. It is easier to get rips and tears to the skin tissues in and around your genitals, which are not always detectable with the eyes. This can create routes of transmission for viruses like hepatitis or HIV. Stay equipped with condoms and extra lube.
• Avoid taking GHB with people you don’t trust or know. In high doses, GHB can lead to unconsciousness, which can be especially dangerous with strangers or people you don’t trust.
• GHB can and has been added to drinks and given to unsuspecting individuals. At high enough doses, these individuals can lose consciousness, which can lead to sexual assault and rape. Keep an eye on your drink. GHB has a SALTY taste so if a drink tastes strange or unusually salty, don’t drink it and get a new one.