GHB (Gamma Hydroxybutyrate)

• What is GHB?
• Street Names
• How is it used?
• What are the effects?
• What are the dangers?
• Is it addictive?

What is GHB?

• Gamma Hydroxybutyrate (GHB) is a central nervous system depressant.
  
• Most of the GHB used today is a "homemade" mix of various chemical ingredients, including solvents.
  
• GHB was once sold in health food stores as a performance enhancer for body builders because it was believed to stimulate the production of human growth hormone.
  
• It can also be used as a date rape drug.

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Street Names

"Grievous Bodily Harm" and "Liquid Ecstasy"
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How is it used?

• GHB is available in liquid and powder forms.
  
• It is odorless and tasteless.

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What are the effects?

• GHB produces a euphoric and sedative effect.

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What are the dangers?

• Drowsiness.
  
• Dizziness.
  
• Nausea.
  
• Unconsciousness.
  
• Seizures.
  
• Severe respiratory depression.
  
• Coma.
  
• Overdose of GHB can occur quickly and can be fatal.
  
• Because much of GHB is homemade, there are significant differences in potency, purity and concentration. The same amount taken from two separate batches can have very different effects.
  
• Because it is colorless and tasteless, it can be easily slipped into a drink.
  
• Possession of GHB is illegal in the United States except under FDA-approved, physician-supervised protocols.

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Is it addictive?

It is not considered an addictive drug like cocaine, heroin or alcohol because it does not produce the same compulsive drug-seeking behavior. However, like addictive drugs, GHB produces greater tolerance in some users who take the drug repeatedly. These users must take higher doses to achieve the same results as they have had in the past. This could be an extremely dangerous practice because of the unpredictability of the drug effect on an individual.
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