GHB: Difference between revisions

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'''gamma-Hydroxybutyric acid''' (also known as and '''4-hydroxybutanoic acid''' and '''GHB''') is a [[psychoactive class::depressant]] substance. It is found naturally as a [[neurotransmitter]] and is also a precursor to GABA, glutamate, and glycine in certain brain areas. It acts on the GHB receptor and is a weak agonist at the GABA<sub>B</sub> receptor.

'''gamma-Hydroxybutyric acid''' (also known as and '''4-hydroxybutanoic acid''' and '''GHB''') is a ~~naturally occurring~~ [[psychoactive class::depressant]] substance. ~~GHB~~ is found naturally ~~in the human central nervous system~~ as ~~well as in wine~~, ~~beef, some citrus fruits~~, and in ~~almost all animals (in small amounts)~~.<~~ref~~>~~Weil, Andrew; Winifred Rosen (1993). "Depressants". From Chocolate to Morphine (2nd ed.). Boston/New York: Houghton Mifflin Company. p. 77. ISBN 0-395-66079-3.~~</~~ref~~>

GHB as the sodium salt, known by the trade name Xyrem,<ref>http://www.reuters.com/finance/stocks/companyProfile?rpc=66&symbol=JAZZ.O</ref> is a prescription sleep-aid which is used to treat various medical conditions such as cataplexy<ref>Sodium Oxybate | http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/druginfo/meds/a605032.html</ref> and excessive daytime sleepiness in patients with narcolepsy.<ref>United States Patent | Patent Number: US4738985 | Pharmaceutical composition and treatment of narcolepsy (Erowid) | https://www.erowid.org/chemicals/ghb/ghb_patent2.shtml</ref> It has also been used in a medical setting as a general anesthetic to treat conditions such as insomnia, clinical depression, and alcoholism,<ref>United States Patent | Patent Number: US4983632 | Use of Gamma-Hydroxybutyric Acid Salts for Preparing Pharmaceutical Compositions for Use in the Treatment of Alcoholism, and the Compositions Obtained (Erowid) | https://www.erowid.org/chemicals/ghb/ghb_patent.shtml</ref> and to improve athletic performance.

GHB is used as a recreational substance for its ~~[[chemical class::~~alcohol]]-like effects. While a common recreational dose is 3 grams, a dose of 5 - 10 grams can result in convulsions, unconsciousness (a coma-like state) and vomiting. Doses above 10 grams are associated with a risk of death.<ref name="cite">GHB Dosage by Erowid | https://www.erowid.org/chemicals/ghb/ghb_dose.shtml</ref> As a result, users are commonly advised to start with a low dose and work their way up slowly by increasing the dose in small increments.

GHB is used as a recreational substance for its alcohol-like effects. While a common recreational dose is 3 grams, a dose of 5 - 10 grams can result in convulsions, unconsciousness (a coma-like state) and vomiting. Doses above 10 grams are associated with a risk of death.<ref name="cite">GHB Dosage by Erowid | https://www.erowid.org/chemicals/ghb/ghb_dose.shtml</ref> As a result, users are commonly advised to start with a low dose and work their way up slowly by increasing the dose in small increments.

GHB, along with [[GBL]], has acquired a reputation as a "date rape drug," in which it is purportedly secretly placed into alcoholic drinks.{{citation needed}} There is very limited evidence to suggest that this actually happens but care should always be taken when accepting drinks from strangers.

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==Chemistry==

GHB, or gamma-Hydroxybutanoic acid, is a carboxylic acid substituted with an additional hydroxy group. GHB contains a four carbon chain with a terminal carbon bonded to a hydroxy group (OH-) and double bonded to an oxygen group to form a carboxyl unit; this is butanoic acid. At the other end of the four carbon change at R<sub>γ</sub>, GHB is substituted with a hydroxy group.

GHB is found naturally in the human central nervous system as well as in wine, beef, some citrus fruits, and in almost all animals (in small amounts).<ref>Weil, Andrew; Winifred Rosen (1993). "Depressants". From Chocolate to Morphine (2nd ed.). Boston/New York: Houghton Mifflin Company. p. 77. ISBN 0-395-66079-3.</ref>

==Pharmacology==

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 {{SummarySheet}}
 {{SubstanceBox/GHB}}
+'''gamma-Hydroxybutyric acid''' (also known as  and '''4-hydroxybutanoic acid''' and '''GHB''') is a [[psychoactive class::depressant]] substance. It is found naturally as a [[neurotransmitter]] and is also a precursor to GABA, glutamate, and glycine in certain brain areas. It acts on the GHB receptor and is a weak agonist at the GABA<sub>B</sub> receptor.
-'''gamma-Hydroxybutyric acid''' (also known as  and '''4-hydroxybutanoic acid''' and '''GHB''') is a naturally occurring [[psychoactive class::depressant]] substance. GHB is found naturally in the human central nervous system as well as in wine, beef, some citrus fruits, and in almost all animals (in small amounts).<ref>Weil, Andrew; Winifred Rosen (1993). "Depressants". From Chocolate to Morphine (2nd ed.). Boston/New York: Houghton Mifflin Company. p. 77. ISBN 0-395-66079-3.</ref>
 GHB as the sodium salt, known by the trade name Xyrem,<ref>http://www.reuters.com/finance/stocks/companyProfile?rpc=66&symbol=JAZZ.O</ref> is a prescription sleep-aid which is used to treat various medical conditions such as cataplexy<ref>Sodium Oxybate | http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/druginfo/meds/a605032.html</ref> and excessive daytime sleepiness in patients with narcolepsy.<ref>United States Patent | Patent Number: US4738985 | Pharmaceutical composition and treatment of narcolepsy (Erowid) | https://www.erowid.org/chemicals/ghb/ghb_patent2.shtml</ref> It has also been used in a medical setting as a general anesthetic to treat conditions such as insomnia, clinical depression, and alcoholism,<ref>United States Patent | Patent Number: US4983632 | Use of Gamma-Hydroxybutyric Acid Salts for Preparing Pharmaceutical Compositions for Use in the Treatment of Alcoholism, and the Compositions Obtained (Erowid) | https://www.erowid.org/chemicals/ghb/ghb_patent.shtml</ref> and to improve athletic performance.
-GHB is used as a recreational substance for its [[chemical class::alcohol]]-like effects. While a common recreational dose is 3 grams, a dose of 5 - 10 grams can result in convulsions, unconsciousness (a coma-like state) and vomiting. Doses above 10 grams are associated with a risk of death.<ref name="cite">GHB Dosage by Erowid | https://www.erowid.org/chemicals/ghb/ghb_dose.shtml</ref> As a result, users are commonly advised to start with a low dose and work their way up slowly by increasing the dose in small increments.
+GHB is used as a recreational substance for its alcohol-like effects. While a common recreational dose is 3 grams, a dose of 5 - 10 grams can result in convulsions, unconsciousness (a coma-like state) and vomiting. Doses above 10 grams are associated with a risk of death.<ref name="cite">GHB Dosage by Erowid | https://www.erowid.org/chemicals/ghb/ghb_dose.shtml</ref> As a result, users are commonly advised to start with a low dose and work their way up slowly by increasing the dose in small increments.
 GHB, along with [[GBL]], has acquired a reputation as a "date rape drug," in which it is purportedly secretly placed into alcoholic drinks.{{citation needed}} There is very limited evidence to suggest that this actually happens but care should always be taken when accepting drinks from strangers.
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 ==Chemistry==
 GHB, or gamma-Hydroxybutanoic acid, is a carboxylic acid substituted with an additional hydroxy group. GHB contains a four carbon chain with a terminal carbon bonded to a hydroxy group (OH-) and double bonded to an oxygen group to form a carboxyl unit; this is butanoic acid. At the other end of the four carbon change at R<sub>γ</sub>, GHB is substituted with a hydroxy group.
+GHB is found naturally in the human central nervous system as well as in wine, beef, some citrus fruits, and in almost all animals (in small amounts).<ref>Weil, Andrew; Winifred Rosen (1993). "Depressants". From Chocolate to Morphine (2nd ed.). Boston/New York: Houghton Mifflin Company. p. 77. ISBN 0-395-66079-3.</ref>
 ==Pharmacology==