GHB: Difference between revisions

{{SubstanceBox/GHB}}

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.  

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

==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_γ, GHB is substituted with a hydroxy group.

==Subjective effects==

{{Preamble/SubjectiveEffects}}

*'''[[Effect::Stimulation]]''' and '''[[Effect::Sedation]]''' - At lower doses, GHB is physically stimulating, encouraging movement and wakefulness. At higher doses, however, it becomes physically sedating, encouraging sleep and lethargy.

*'''[[Effect::Respiratory depression]]''' - In cases of GHB overdoses, many reportedly experience an abnormal pattern of breathing characterized by progressively deeper and sometimes faster breathing followed by a gradual decrease that results in a temporary stop in breathing called an apnea.

*'''[[Effect::Nausea]]'''

*'''[[Effect::Empathy, love, and sociability enhancement]]''' - Unlike [[alcohol]] which merely increases sociability through [[Effect::disinhibition]], GHB presents strong [[entactogenic]] effects which, although weaker than that of [[MDMA]], are still prominent and well defined.

*'''[[Effect::Amnesia]]'''

*'''[[Effect::Information processing suppression]]'''

*'''[[Effect::Thought deceleration]]'''

===Experience reports===

There are currently no anecdotal reports which describe the effects of this compound within our [[experience index]]. Additional experience reports can be found here:

*'''[[Stimulants]]''' -  It is dangerous to combine GHB, a [[depressant]], with [[stimulant]]s due to the risk of excessive intoxication. Stimulants decrease the [[sedation|sedative]] effect of GHB, which is the main factor most people consider when determining their level of intoxication. Once the stimulant wears off, the effects of GHB will be significantly increased, leading to intensified [[disinhibition]] as well as [[GHB#Subjective effects|other effects]]. If combined, one should strictly limit themselves to only dosing a certain amount of GHB per hour. This combination can also potentially result in severe dehydration if hydration is not monitored.

*'''Hong Kong:''' GHB is regulated under Schedule 1 of Hong Kong's Chapter 134 Dangerous Drugs Ordinance.

*'''New Zealand:''' GHB, 1,4-B and GBL are all Class B illegal drugs, along with any possible esters, ethers and aldehydes.

*'''Norway:''' GHB is considered a narcotic and is only available by prescription under the trade name Xyrem.

*'''Switzerland:''' GHB is considered a narcotic and is only available by prescription under the trade name Xyrem.

==See also==