What Is GHB?
Originally developed as an anaesthetic, GHB is a naturally occurring 4-carbon molecule sold in powdered, liquid or capsule form. Its chemical name is gamma-hydroxybutyric acid but if no-one objects too much I shall just refer to it as GHB.
On the street, it can be known as G, Liquid X, Liquid E, Scoop, Soap, Gook, Grievous Bodily Harm, Georgia Home Boy, Natural Sleep-500, Easy Lay or Gamma 10. It is usually tasteless but may be recognised at times by a slight salty taste.
GHB was formerly sold by health-food stores and gyms as a sleep aid, anabolic agent, fat burner, enhancer of muscle definition and natural psychedelic. In the last few years, it has been gaining popularity as a recreational drug offering an alcohol-like, hangover free high with possible prosexual effects (disinhibition often occurs and inhibitions are suppressed). It is a scheduled drug.
Effects Of Using GHB
Side effects are usually felt within 5 to 20 minutes after ingestion and they usually last two to three hours. The side effects may include:
- decreased heart rate
- abrupt
- intense drowsiness
- decreased body temperature
- vomiting
- semi-consciousness
- seizure
- coma
- sleep-walking
- slower, deep breathing
- giddiness, silliness and dizziness
- temporary amnesia
- interference with mobility and verbal coherence
- diarrhoea
- death
The effects of GHB are unpredictable and very dose-dependent. Sleep paralysis, agitation, delusions and hallucination have all been reported.
Other effects include excessive salivation, decreased gag reflex and vomiting in 30 to 50 per cent of users. Dizziness may occur for up to two weeks post ingestion. Coma and seizures can occur following abuse of GHB and, when it’s combined with methamphetamine, there appears to be an increased risk of seizure. Combining use with other drugs such as alcohol can result in nausea and difficulty breathing.
GHB may also produce withdrawal effects, including insomnia, anxiety, tremors, and sweating. GHB can cause severe reactions when combined with alcohol, benzodiazepines, opiates, anticonvulsants and allergy remedies.
A ‘Date-Rape Drug’
GHB (like Rohypnol) is often abused as a ‘date rape’ drug. People may unknowingly be given the drug which, when mixed with alcohol can incapacitate a victim and prevent them from resisting sexual assault. Within a few moments of having GHB slipped into their drink (usually alcohol), the victim will appear drunk and helpless. When the victim regains consciousness, he or she has no memory of the events.
