GHB Basics
by Erowid
DESCRIPTION
GHB (gamma hydroxybutyrate) is a naturally occurring component of human cells. It is used most commonly in the form of a chemical salt (Na-GHB or K-GHB) which is taken recreationally as a depressant with effects quite similar to those of alcohol. These salts are powders but are most often mixed with water for recreational use. While GHB is most notorious for a few cases where it has been given to unsuspecting individuals, it is more commonly used as a recreational intoxicant like alcohol, as a sleep-aid, or as a supplement by body-builders.
One of the major concerns with GHB is that the recreational dosage range is narrow and 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.
[ Main GHB Vault ]
Dose
A standard recreational dose of pure GHB powder is between 1 - 3 g, though some people use as much as 4-5 grams in a single dose: especially frequent users who have developed a tolerance. 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 (this makes 5 g per tsp) 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. Users should be extremely careful about GHB dosages as even small overdoses can result in temporarily unrousable sleep.
Price
When purchased in single doses at a club, GHB is generally sold for a couple of dollars per dose. When purchased in larger quantities (or in kits before it became illegal) it is available for $10-$50 per 100 grams.
Law
GHB is illegal to possess or sell in the United States. It became schedule I (federally) in March, 2000 though it was scheduled in many states between 1997 and 1999. Gamma butyrlactone (GBL) is not federally scheduled but is now a list 1 chemical requiring that paperwork be filed for large sales. GBL is scheduled in some states.
Chemistry
GHB is most commonly produced by combining gamma butyrlactone and a strong base such as sodium hydroxide (lye). These two substances react chemically and form the unique chemical GHB.
History
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.
Slang
Common Slang : GHB, G, Liquid X, Liquid E, GBH, Gamma-oh, Blue Verve, G-Juice, Liquid Ecstasy, Flüssiges Ecstasy, Flüssiges oder Fantasy
Other names used in the media include : Grievous Bodily Harm, Georgia home boy, Goop, EZLay
EFFECTS
Onset
As with alcohol and many other substances, the onset of GHB will be affected by how much and how recently one has eaten. Generally this will be between 10-20 minutes.
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 recreational 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.
The Experience
The effects of GHB at recreational doses are physically quite similar to those of alcohol. At lower doses effects include relaxation, reduction of social inhibitions, decreased motor skills, mood lift and other effects similar to mild alcohol intoxication. At higher recreational doses effects can include dizziness, difficulty focusing the eyes, positive mood changes, increased appreciation of music, dancing, and talking, slurring of speech, nausea, and grogginess. The line between high recreational dose and overdose can be a narrow one. At the overdose level, individuals may experience extreme grogginess (nodding in and out of consciousness) or unconsciousness, extreme dizziness and disorientation, and vomiting. During higher overdoses (poisonings), users may experience unconsciousness, convulsions, vomiting, and potentially depressed breathing.
PROBLEMS
Unfortunately, GHB has a few prominent problems which, in combination, can be quite dangerous. The difference between a recreational dose and a mild overdose (temporarily unrousable sleep) can be as little as 1-2 grams, the equivalent of a single dosage unit. Combining GHB with alcohol can lead to overdoses at even lower levels. Also, because GHB generally comes in liquid form and because the concentration of this liquid is difficult to determine, it is relatively common for people to accidentally take a larger dose of GHB than they think they are taking. Everyone thinks it can't happen to them, but people should be extremely careful about knowing the concentration of the material they use and about measurement techniques. 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 can not be mistaken for water. Powdered GHB is much less likely to be accidentally ingested.
In addition to the problems around dosage, GHB also has a problem with the specific effects of an overdose. At higher overdose levels, GHB can produce both unconsciousness and vomiting. This can be an extremely dangerous combination. Vomiting while laying unconscious on one's back can lead to aspiration (inhalation) of the vomit which can cause suffocation and damage to the lungs. Individuals who are unconscious and vomiting should be turned on their side and their airway cleared so they do not inhale their vomit, and should be constantly monitored until help arrives or they become conscious. People who find themselves alone in this situation should try to position themselves so vomit inhalation can not happen if they fall unconscious.
Beyond the respiration of vomit, it has been suggested that GHB poisonings (high overdoses) can cause death but this is not a well understood or researched issue. The DEA reports over 60 GHB related deaths in the U.S. over the past 5 years, about 2/3 of these are poly-drug mortalities while 1/3 are GHB only.
Another problem associated with GHB is the issue of rape & assault that goes along with chemicals which can be added to drinks and given to unsuspecting victims.
Addiction Potential
The addiction potential of GHB is not well known, but from reports it appears that GHB can be both physically addicting and mentally habituating for a small percentage of users. We have received reports from a few individuals of severe withdrawal symptoms lasting for several days following repeated daily use. These symptoms include a strong desire to repeat the experience, difficulty sleeping, vertigo, and worrisome chest pains. We have not received any reports from users who find it difficult to stay off GHB once the withdrawal period is over.
Contraindications
• Do not mix GHB with Alcohol. This can be an extremely dangerous combination.
• Avoid mixing GHB with other depressants such as sleep aids and opiates.
GHB Chemistry
by Erowid
NAME : Gamma-Hydroxybutyrate
CHEMICAL NAME : 4-Hydroxybutanoic acid
ALTERNATE CHEMICAL NAMES : Gamma-hydroxybutyric acid; 4-hydroxybutyrate; GHB
CHEMICAL FORMULA C4H8O3
MOLECULAR WEIGHT 104.11
LD50 (of sodium-GHB) 2,000 mg/kg (male rats), 1,650 mg/kg (female rats) i.p.
From the Merck Index 12th Edition
GHB Material Safety Data Sheet
gamma-Butyrlactone Material Safety Data Sheet
MERCK INDEX ENTRY
4860. Gamma-Hydroxybutyrate. 4-Hydroxybutanoic acid; Gamma-hydroxybutyric acid; 4-hydroxybutyrate; GHB. C4H8O3, mol wt 104.11. C 46.15%, H 7.75%, O 46.11%. HOCH2CH2CH2COOH. Naturally occurring metabolite of GABA thought to function as a neurotransmitter or neuromodulator. The hightest conc in humans is found in fetal cerebellum and adult hypothalamus. Prepn of salts: A. Saytzeff, Ann. 171, 258 (1874); C.S. Marvel, E.R. Birkhimer, J. Am Chem Soc. 51, 260 (1929). Clinical pharmacokinetics: S. D. Ferrara et al., Brit. J. Clin. Pharmacol. 34, 231 (1992). GC/MS determn in biological fluids: K.M. Gribson et al., Biomed. Environ Mass Spectrom. 19, 89 (1990). Acute toxicity: B. Bruguerolle et al., Therapie 32, 375 (1977). Clinical studies: L Scima et al., Sleep 13, 479 (1990); L. Gallimberti et al., Neuropsychopharmacology 9, 77 (1993). Review of biochemistry and pharmacology: G. Tunnicliff, Gen. Pharmacol. 23, 1027-1034 (1992). Review in treatment of alcoholism: G. Biggio et al., in Adv. Biochem. Psychpharmacol. vol. 47 (Raven Press, New York, 1992) pp 281-288. Review: M. Mamelak, Neurosci. Biobehav. Rev. 13, 187-198 (1989). Brief overview of public health issues: J. Am. Med. Assoc. 265, 447-448 (1991).
Sodium salt, C4H8NaO3, gamma-OH, sodium oxybate, sodium gamma-oxybutyrate, Somatomax PM, Wy-3478, NSC-84223, Somsanit, Gamma-OH. Crystals from alcohol. LD50 in male, female rats (mg/kg): 2,000, 1,650 i.p. (Bruguerolle).
THERAP CAT: Anesthetic (intravenous). In treatment of narcolepsy; in treatment of alcoholism.
GHB Dosage
by Erowid
Oral GHB Dosages
Alcohol Withdrawal Treatment .15 g (3 times daily)
Light .5 - 1.5 g
Common 1 - 2.5 g
Strong 2 - 3.5 g
Can Induce Heavy Sleep 3 - 5 g
Overdose 5 - 10 g
Poisoning (Risk of Death) 10 + g
Onset : 10 - 20 minutes
Duration : 1 - 3 hours
Normal After Effects : 2 - 4 hours
Caution : Values are for pure GHB powder NOT LIQUID !!
As with many substances, regular users or those with a naturally high tolerance to GHB may require somewhat higher doses for the same effects.
GHB generally comes either in pure powder form, or mixed into water. In powder form, measuring a dose is fairly straighforward. In liquid form, GHB comes in a wide variety of concentrations with a single dose ranging from a few drops to a full glass. If you don't know the concentration of your liquid GHB, be extremely careful. There is no way, without testing, to determine its strength. Don't assume anything. Carefully check the concentration with your source before calculating your dosage.
GHB is extremely dose sensitive. Each person has a different response to each dose level. To safely verify the correct dosage, ALWAYS START LOW.
CAUTIONS
• If you overdose even slightly on ghb (double dose), you may fall unconscious and be unrouseable for up to 4 or 5 hours. One of the great dangers of a mild GHB overdose is being taken to a hospital and treated as though you have OD'd on a depressant. This can include stomach pumps, breathing tubes and IV's, not to mention huge hospital bills.
• GHB can be dangerous when used improperly or when mixed with other depressants. Combining a normal GHB dose with alcohol can trigger the overdose reaction of unrouseable sleep. GHB has been attributed to a few deaths in the US, but most have involved other drugs (most commonly, alcohol) or high doses. Be safe...avoid mixing GHB with alcohol.
• If you take 3 - 4 times the normal dose, you may find yourself unconscious and vomiting.
• If you take more than 3-4 times your normal dose, there is risk of death.
• If you take GHB, make sure your companions know what you're taking, how much of it you've taken and the associated risks.
THEORY : To be as careful as possible in determining correct dosage with GHB, only use material from a reliable source who can vouch for the quality and whom you trust. On an empty stomach (a full stomach delays effects), begin by testing 1/8-1/4 of a single dose to test for personal allergic reactions to the chemical. Try to get a sense of whether GHB feels ok for you. Wai several hours (if not days) before deciding. One or two hours is _NOT_ enough to know, and if you take more you will be compounding doses. Write down your observations, marking time, dosage, and all effects.
If you choose to take GHB again, Increase the dosage in small increments (1/4 dose per event) from this original dose until you find your desired level. This will take several tries, as these GHB trials should be separated by at least a day. Enjoy the experience of low doses and don't be in a hurry to experience a 'strong' GHB dose. GHB is mild. It takes time and energy to find the experience. It doesn't hit you over the head with its effects until you are on the verge of passing out.
Taking GHB too often can cause short term disruptions in your brain chemistry (increases dopamine production). These effects are accumulative. Increased dopamine production can cause unpleasant side effects for days afterward. If you feel sluggish a day after using GHB, you should reduce your consumption to allow your body to recover.
Getting the GHB dose right can be difficult because the effects are often subtle. Many people find GHB to be a good social stimulator. Try listening to music during the peak (T+1-3 hours), dancing, walking, talking, etc.
Many people also find that GHB is not for them. Some people experience nausea, sluggishness, dizziness, among other negative side effects. Listen to your body and heed its warning signals.
Avoid using GHB alone. GHB can be dangerous when used improperly and it's considerably better to have friends around of something goes wrong. It is important to be extremely careful when experimenting with substances that are currently illegal because the quality and dosage of the material can be completely unknown. The effects of GHB aren't good enough to warrant dangerous behaviour. Smoke a bowl. Eat some salad. Go for a walk
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