One should best use a glass bottle with an integraded 1ml pipette to exactly measure their dosages. A milliliter of pure GBL metabolizes to the equivalent 1.65 g of NaGHB, the common form, so doses are measured in the single milliliter range, either taken all at once or sipped over the course of a night. For more information on GHB and other drugs, check out the links below. If you decide to use GHB, or GHB-like drugs, it’s important to understand and consider the risks, as well as the strategies that you can use to reduce harm. GHB withdrawal is similar to alcohol withdrawal, varying from mild to severe.
Recreational Drug
- Second or third doses can have much bigger effects than the first dose because of the ‘steep dose-response curve’ of these drugs.
- It is interesting to note that GHB has biphasic effects on neuronal loss, with lower doses (10 mg/kg) producing the most neurotoxicity, and higher doses (100 mg/kg) producing less.
- When intended for illicit use, GHB, GBL and 1,4-BD are sold in small bottles or capsules.
- The practice is commonly referred to as “party ‘n’ play” (PNP or PnP) by some participants, while others use the term “high ‘n’ horny” (HnH).
- Depressants affect the parts of the nervous system responsible for breathing, and an overdose or combination of these substances can result in fatal levels of respiratory depression.
- These side effects can include respiratory depression, seizures, coma, and even death.
Once the 4-HB is prepared, it is reacted with an acid such as hydrochloric acid to yield GBL. GBL has a molecular weight of 86.1 g/mol and is a hydroxy-functional lactone. It is a clear, colorless, hygroscopic liquid soluble in most organic solvents. It is moderately volatile and stable in the presence of oxidizing agents. At present, there is little reliable evidence to determine the purity of GBL.
Hydrogenation of butyne-1,4-diol gives butane-1,4-diol.9 It is also made on an industrial scale from maleic anhydride in the Davy process, which is first converted to the methyl maleate ester, then hydrogenated. GBL is not active in its own right, its mechanism of action stems from its identity as a prodrug of gamma-hydroxybutyrate. The compound gamma-butyrolactone (GBL) was found in extracts from samples of unadulterated wines. This finding indicates that GBL is a naturally occurring component in some wines and may be present in similar products. The concentration detected was approximately 5 μg/mL and was easily observed using a simple extraction technique followed by GC/MS analysis.
How Quickly Do The Effects Of GBL Appear After Ingestion, And How Long Do The Effects Last?
Accidental ingestions of GBL have also occurred due to inadequate storage methods. If GBL is put into a clear liquid, glass, or bottle, it can be easily mistaken for water. It is recommended to clearly label your GBL 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 GBL in a container that no one would drink out of. GBL is not active in its own right; its mechanism of action stems from its identity as a prodrug of GHB.
Gamma-Butyrolactone (GBL): Effects, Risks, And Treatment
How long the effects last and the drug stays in your system depends on how much you’ve taken, your size and what other drugs you may have also taken. Giving up GHB/GBL after using it for a long time is challenging because the body has to get used to functioning without it. This is why it’s important to speak to a health professional when planning to stop using GHB/GBL. Both GHB and GBL are active in very small amounts and are easy to overdose on if they are not measured out carefully.
DrugWise Daily (AKA DS Daily) is a free drug and alcohol news service delivering the news, reports and blog posts into your inbox. Anecdotal evidence suggests that use of the drugs is fairly widespread on the UK club scene, particularly in gay clubs, but have yet to become significant players among the general drug-taking population (1). Always conduct independent research (e.g. Google, DuckDuckGo, PubMed) to ensure that a combination of two or more substances is safe to consume.
Gamma-Hydroxybutyric Acid
Be aware that other methods of using GHB, GBL and 1,4-BD (snorting/injecting) can increase your risk of overdose. Snorting or injecting GHB, GBL or 1,4-BD will deliver these drugs to your body much quicker, which can increase your chances of overdosing. If you do chose to snort or inject these drugs, use new and sterile utensils and equipment every time. GBL is often adulterated with other substances, such as ketamine, GHB, and caffeine. These contaminants can cause serious health problems, including organ failure and death. It is also important to note that GBL is a controlled substance in many countries, and drug possession is illegal.
Is GHB/GBL/1,4-BD Illegal?
GBL and GHB are both central nervous system depressants that are converted into the neurotransmitter gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) in the body. GBL is a prodrug of GHB, meaning that it is converted into GHB once ingested. GBL is a colorless, odorless liquid with a slightly salty taste, while GHB is a white crystalline powder or a clear liquid.
If ingested undiluted through the oral route, GBL can irritate innards. It is possible for oral ingestion of GBL to cause nausea and other similar problems, possibly more so than with GHB. GHB (Xyrem) was approved by the FDA in 2002 for use in the treatment of narcolepsy/Cataplexy 3.
Date Rape Drug
Large overdoses can also cause seizures, and interfere with or stop the heartbeat. Getting medical help fast is essential if you suspect that you or someone else has taken an overdose, or you find that someone cannot be woken. Its chemical structure is similar to that of ketone body beta-hydroxybutyrate. As a supplement or drug, it is used most as a salt.6 GHB is also produced as a result of fermentation.
However, it is thought that GHB and GBL can be found for 12 hours in urine and 8 hours in blood – these are the most accurate tests. Saliva tests detect GHB and GBL for up to 6 hours but are mostly used as a secondary test after a urine sample. Hair sample tests can detect GHB and GBL for up to 30 days, but they are not very reliable. GHB and GBL are usually tested for using hair, urine, saliva (spit) or blood. However, these drugs may not be tested for often as they can only be picked up on in a very short window (1–2 days) and can be unreliable.
It is used in various industrial solvents, such as those found in paint thinners and cleaning products. It can also be used to produce certain pharmaceuticals and is used in some beauty products. Synthesizing gamma-butyrolactone (GBL), Cas # , is a complex process that involves several steps.
GHB and GBL have been found to reduce the efficiency of some HIV medication and have also been implicated in sexual assaults or ‘date rapes’ 2. Most illicit GHB is sold in the form of a clear, odourless, nearly tasteless liquid – though it can be somewhat salty tasting. It is often sold or found in a variety of containers such as water bottles, eyedroppers and/or vitamin bottles. Ingestion is usually achieved by mixing the solution with a beverage, usually water or various alcoholic drinks. Like other drugs (e.g., ecstasy, marijuana) the chemical composition of GHB is highly variable, and sold in a wide range of concentrations. As a result, there is no definitive way for users to know how strong a particular form of GHB is, thereby increasing the risk of an overdose.
The practice is commonly referred to as “party ‘n’ play” (PNP or PnP) by some participants, while others use the term “high ‘n’ horny” (HnH). An academic study has labeled it “sexualized drug use” (SDU).9 The term PnP is widely used among gay men3failed verification and other men who have sex with men (MSM) in North America and Australia. Conversely, the term chemsex is more common in Europe.10 In certain Southeast Asian countries, it is commonly known as “chem fun” (CF or Cf).
Medical Use
Even if you only use GHB or GBL a few times a year, it’s important to be safe to avoid long-term issues. One of the bigger concerns with these drugs is that they can result in sexually risky behaviour. GHB and GBL are often used as party of chemsex or party n’ play, or to heighten other sexual experiences. These drugs can cause poor judgement and result in an increased risk of transmitting sexually transmitted infections like HIV because of not using condoms.
GHB Receptor
GHB and GBL look, taste, and smell the same, but GBL is stronger as it is converted into GHB in the body. GHB was developed in the USA as a pre-medication to help patients sleep before surgery. Some people who use the drug illicitly do so not for the euphoric effects, but rather use higher doses to help them sleep.
Dependence
Use began to intensify in the 1980’s when it was marketed as a fat burner and muscle developer. However, in 1990, based on more than 30 reports of GHB-linked illness, the FDA declared the chemical unsafe and ordered it to be removed from store’s shelves, thus limiting a user’s ability to purchase the product. Following the FDA ban, many producers of GHB began to switch their ingredients to GBL and BD and sold those drugs as muscle enhancers and sleep aids. On January 21, 1999, the FDA began to ask manufactures of GBL to stop producing it and to recall products containing GBL because it was never approved for human consumption. Around this same time GHB gained in popularity among ‘party drug’ users for its euphoric and aphrodisiac effects 24, 25.
Ensure the product is from a reputable source and not adulterated with other substances. Further, never mix GBL with alcohol or other drugs, as this could lead to serious health complications. Other side effects of GBL include nausea, headache, blurred vision, rapid heart rate, and increased blood pressure. In addition, long-term abuse of GBL can lead to severe psychological and physical problems. This can include depression, anxiety, paranoia, and even psychotic episodes.
