Gamma-hydroxybutyrate (GHB)

What is GHB?

GHB is gamma-hydroxybutyrate. It has been tested for potential medical uses in the United States but has never been approved for any use outside of FDA-approved research trials. GHB has been promoted as a growth hormone stimulant for body building, although the efficacy of this use has never been documented. In 1990, the FDA issued a warning to consumers to stop using GHB because of its numerous deleterious effects.

What are the effects of GHB?

GHB is a powerful synthetic drug that is rapidly metabolized by the body. The effects of the drug can be felt within 15 minutes after ingestion.

GHB is a "sedative-hypnotic." It suppresses the central nervous system (like alcohol), making you feel relaxed and/or sleepy. G is very strong. The typical dose is one teaspoon; two teaspoons can cause some people to pass out. It takes effect between ten minutes to one hour, and lasts two to three hours, although some effects can last up to a day. At higher doses, G will make you sleepy, dizzy, and possibly nauseous. You can lose motor control and have muscle spasms. An overdose causes loss of consciousness and can slow your breathing to a dangerously low rate.

The adverse effects of GHB may include dizziness, nausea, vomiting, disorientation, seizures, respiratory depression, intense drowsiness, unconsciousness, and coma. GHB can also cause anterograde amnesia (memory deficit for the events following ingestion).

When GHB is ingested with alcohol and/or other drugs, the consequences may be life-threatening. Without immediate and appropriate medical care, the combination can be fatal.

Two characteristics of GHB make it especially dangerous: First, most of the GHB being used today is the "home-grown" variety made by nonprofessionals in their own street labs or kitchens by mixing various chemical ingredients, including solvents and caustic soda. Home-brewed GHB can be especially dangerous. There are significant differences in the purity, concentration, and potency of various batches. The same amount taken from two different batches may have very different effects. The second reason GHB is particularly dangerous is that there is a very narrow margin between the dose that will produce intoxication effects and the amount that will induce the serious and harmful effects described above.

What does GHB look like?

GHB is most commonly made in a clear liquid form that is colorless and odorless. It has also been produced as a white crystalline powder.

How is GHB being used/abused?

Across the country, there are reports of GHB being distributed at clubs, bars, raves, circuit parties and other parties. GHB is usually doled out by capfuls, teaspoons, or "swigs." It may be sold or passed around in containers of varying sizes, including sports bottles, designer water bottles, eye dropper bottles, baby food jars, sample size shampoo bottles, and plastic water jugs. Or, it may be offered as a small paper cup of clear liquid.

A potential victim may be unknowingly drugged with GHB. The clear liquid is easily dropped or squirted into a drink. When dissolved in a drink, it is colorless and odorless. However, it may be recognizable by its slightly salty taste. Sometimes people who lace drinks with GHB may attempt to mask the salty taste of the drug by mixing it with a sweet liqueur, or they may try to explain away the salty taste by calling it a special "energy drink."

RISKS

The risk of an overdose with G is very high. This is because the difference between the dose that gets you high and the dose that makes you pass out is so small. For this reason, G is very unpredictable. The same dose can have different effects at different times, and different effects on different people. Your reaction depends on your body weight, whether you've eaten or not, and whether you're tired or rested.

Mixing G with alcohol can cause death. There is also a risk of dehydration and heat stroke when using G and dancing.

The long-term risks of using G have not been studied. Some individuals who use G frequently become addicted and experience severe withdrawal symptoms (requiring hospitalization) when they quit. Most of these cases have been among bodybuilders who used G as a daily supplement.

CONSIDER THIS . . .

• Combining G with other drugs, especially alcohol and K, is dangerous.
• If you are taking protease inhibitors, take smaller doses. Don't take G if you have a history of epilepsy, seizures, or heart problems.

OVERDOSE

• If you feel bad, ASK FOR HELP. If you think you might pass out, lay down on your side so that if you vomit you won't choke.
• If someone is conscious and responsive, get him to a well-ventilated area. Give him water with a little salt in it (or a sports drink) to sip slowly.
• If the person is unconscious and unresponsive, call 911 or 511 on campus. Roll him on his side so that he can't choke on his own vomit. Make sure he is still breathing and if necessary give artificial respiration until help arrives. DO NOT ATTEMPT TO GIVE WATER TO AN UNCONSCIOUS PERSON.
• No student seeking medical treatment for themselves or a friend for an alcohol or other drug-related overdose will be subject to University discipline for the sole violation of using or possessing alcohol or drugs. (Penn's Medical Amnesty Policy)
  
  

This information taken from Dancesafe.org and PartySafe.org

*The Office of Health Education does not encourage or condone the use of any illegial drug.