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GHB: Difference between revisions
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GHB is [[toxicity::considered to be a safe and non-toxic substance when used responsibly]] or medically. The [[LD50|LD<sub>50</sub>]] is above the active dosage, and there is no danger of acute toxicity. However, it can be dangerous when used as a recreational drug or abused. There have been many negative reports from recreational users who have overdosed, combined GHB with alcohol or other drugs, or accidentally dosed themselves unexpectedly.<ref>https://www.erowid.org/experiences/exp.php?ID=1926 | Erowid. "GHB Overdoses & Poisonings: An Experience with GHB (ID 1926)". Erowid.org. Jun 19, 2000. erowid.org/exp/1926 </ref> | GHB is [[toxicity::considered to be a safe and non-toxic substance when used responsibly]] or medically. The [[LD50|LD<sub>50</sub>]] is above the active dosage, and there is no danger of acute toxicity. However, it can be dangerous when used as a recreational drug or abused. There have been many negative reports from recreational users who have overdosed, combined GHB with alcohol or other drugs, or accidentally dosed themselves unexpectedly.<ref>https://www.erowid.org/experiences/exp.php?ID=1926 | Erowid. "GHB Overdoses & Poisonings: An Experience with GHB (ID 1926)". Erowid.org. Jun 19, 2000. erowid.org/exp/1926 </ref> | ||
One publication | One publication investigated 226 deaths attributed to GHB.<ref>https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/20825811 | Zvosec DL, Smith SW, Porrata T, Strobl AQ, Dyer JE (2011). "Case series of 226 gamma-hydroxybutyrate-associated deaths: lethal toxicity and trauma". The American Journal of Emergency Medicine 29 (3): 319–32.</ref> Seventy-one deaths (34%) were caused by GHB alone while the other deaths were from [[respiratory depression]] caused by interaction with alcohol or other drugs. | ||
As an endogenous regulator of energy metabolism and a natural neurotransmitter, GHB is well-known to the brain and organs which are used to its effects and have highly efficient systems for metabolizing it safely.<ref>Psychotherapeutic Drugs. 1340-1375. Bibliographic information missing.</ref> The substance is eliminated (that is, back to baseline levels) in 2-4 hours and continues to be so even after twice-daily doses for a week.<ref>Ferrara, SD. Zotti, S. Tedeschi, L. Frison, G. Palatini, P. et al.. "Pharmacokinetics of gamma-hydroxybutyric acid in alcohol dependent. . .". British Journal of Clinical Pharmacology. 1992. 34. 231-235. R 31 B 93. . </ref> In one European study, no adverse effects were reported after several years of regular recreational use.<ref>Laborit H . "Correlations between protein and serotonin synthesis during various activities of the central nervous system (slow and desynchronized sleep, learning and memory, sexual activity, morphine tolerance, aggressiveness, and pharmacological action of sodium ga. RESEARCH COMMUNICATIONS IN CHEMICAL PATHOLOGY AND PHARMACOLOGY. 1972. 3(1). </ref> | |||
Accidental ingestions of GHB have also occurred due to inadequate storage methods. If GHB is put into a clear liquid, glass, or bottle, it can be easily mistaken for water. It is recommended to clearly label your GHB in writing and dye the liquid with blue food coloring so it no longer resembles a drinkable beverage. It is also recommended to store your GHB in a container that no one would drink out of. | Accidental ingestions of GHB have also occurred due to inadequate storage methods. If GHB is put into a clear liquid, glass, or bottle, it can be easily mistaken for water. It is recommended to clearly label your GHB in writing and dye the liquid with blue food coloring so it no longer resembles a drinkable beverage. It is also recommended to store your GHB in a container that no one would drink out of. | ||
It is strongly recommended that one use [[responsible drug use|harm reduction practices]] when using this substance. | It is strongly recommended that one use [[responsible drug use|harm reduction practices]] when using this substance. | ||
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One study found that repeated administration of GHB to rats for 15 days drastically reduced the number of neurons and non-neuronal cells within the hippocampus and in the prefrontal cortex. With doses of 10 mg/kg of GHB, they were decreased by 61% in the hippocampus region and 32% in the prefrontal cortex, and with 100 mg/kg, they were decreased by 38% and 9%, respectively. This paper demonstrates contradicting effects on neuronal loss, with lower doses (10 mg/kg) producing the most neurotoxicity, and higher doses (100 mg/kg) producing less. | One study found that repeated administration of GHB to rats for 15 days drastically reduced the number of neurons and non-neuronal cells within the hippocampus and in the prefrontal cortex. With doses of 10 mg/kg of GHB, they were decreased by 61% in the hippocampus region and 32% in the prefrontal cortex, and with 100 mg/kg, they were decreased by 38% and 9%, respectively. This paper demonstrates contradicting effects on neuronal loss, with lower doses (10 mg/kg) producing the most neurotoxicity, and higher doses (100 mg/kg) producing less. | ||
===Overdose=== | |||
To avoid a possible overdose of GHB, it is important to start with a low dose and work your way up slowly by increasing the dosage in small increments. While a common recreational dose is 3g, a dose of 5g - 10g can result in convulsions, unconsciousness and vomiting. [[toxicity::Doses above 10 grams are associated with a risk of death]].<ref name="cite" /> One must also factor in the added difficulty of knowing the purity of the product (among other problems like its hygroscopy may lower the concentration of GHB in one solution, which is the form which is commonly bought and sold in the illicit market). This makes it hard for even the experienced user to dose properly.<ref>https://www.erowid.org/chemicals/ghb/ghb_health.shtml</ref> | |||
===Tolerance and addiction potential=== | ===Tolerance and addiction potential=== | ||