GHB: Difference between revisions

>Dextromethorphan
explained neurotoxicity
>Should
m millimeters > milliliters
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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 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 alcohol-like effects. While a common recreational dose is between 1.5 - 2.5 grams, a dose between 2.5 grams and 5 grams will likely result in falling asleep within 5 - 15 minutes, and 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> Do not confuse grams with millimeters. If consuming GHB that has already been premixed into a liquid form, additional caution is required as there is no way to know for sure the concentration of the solution (e.g. how many grams of GHB is in each mL of solution). As such, users are advised to start with a low dose and work their way up slowly by increasing the dose in small increments. However, an appropriate interval between dosing is essential to avoid accidental overdose.
GHB is used as a recreational substance for its alcohol-like effects. While a common recreational dose is between 1.5 - 2.5 grams, a dose between 2.5 grams and 5 grams will likely result in falling asleep within 5 - 15 minutes, and 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> Do not confuse grams with milliliters. If consuming GHB that has already been premixed into a liquid form, additional caution is required as there is no way to know for sure the concentration of the solution (e.g. how many grams of GHB is in each mL of solution). As such, users are advised to start with a low dose and work their way up slowly by increasing the dose in small increments. However, an appropriate interval between dosing is essential to avoid accidental overdose.


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.
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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*'''[[Effect::Motor control loss]]'''  
*'''[[Effect::Motor control loss]]'''  
*'''[[Effect::Nausea]]'''
*'''[[Effect::Nausea]]'''
*'''[[Effect::Neurotoxicity]]''' - Lower dosages have been linked with higher degrees of neurotoxicity than high doses, although this claim can be debated.<ref>Adolescent γ-hydroxybutyric acid exposure decreases cortical N-methyl-d-aspartate receptor and impairs spatial learning (ScienceDirect) | http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S009130570400320X</ref><ref>Effects of subchronic administration of gammahydroxybutyrate (GHB) on spatial working memory in rats (PubMed.gov / NCBI) | http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/17296081</ref><ref>γ-Hydroxybutyric Acid–Induced Cognitive Deficits in the Female Adolescent Rat | http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1196/annals.1432.044/abstract</ref><ref>Neurotoxic effects induced by gammahydroxybutyric acid (GHB) in male rats | http://journals.cambridge.org/action/displayAbstract?fromPage=online&aid=6137924</ref><ref>https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/15582677 (PubMed.gov / NCBI) | https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/15582677</ref>
*'''[[Effect::Increased salivation]]''' - Increased salivation is very common.
*'''[[Effect::Increased salivation]]''' - Increased salivation is very common.
*'''[[Effect::Stomach cramps]]'''
*'''[[Effect::Stomach cramps]]'''
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*'''[[Effect::Empathy, affection, and sociability enhancement]]''' - GHB presents strong [[entactogenic]] effects which, although weaker than that of [[MDMA]], are still prominent and well defined.
*'''[[Effect::Empathy, affection, and sociability enhancement]]''' - GHB presents strong [[entactogenic]] effects which, although weaker than that of [[MDMA]], are still prominent and well defined.
*'''[[Effect::Immersion enhancement]]'''
*'''[[Effect::Immersion enhancement]]'''
*'''[[Effect::Increased libido]]''' - GHB produces higher levels of increased libido than [[GBL]] or [[MDMA]] but less so than stimulants such as [[3-MMC]] or [[4-MMC]].
*'''[[Effect::Increased libido]]''' - GBL reportedly produces less increases of libido than [[GHB]] does.
*'''[[Effect::Increased music appreciation]]'''
*'''[[Effect::Increased music appreciation]]'''
*'''[[Effect::Introspection]]'''
*'''[[Effect::Introspection]]'''
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