GHB
Also called G, Xyrem, Sodium oxybate, γ-Hydroxybutyric acid
Dosage
Oral bands as drawn from PsychonautWiki's ranges below. The table is the source of truth.
When sources disagree, both rows are shown as published. Nothing is averaged or merged.
Oral
| Source | Threshold | Light | Common | Strong | Heavy |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| PsychonautWiki | 0.5 g PW | 0.5–1 g PW | 1–2.5 g PW | 2.5–4 g PW | 4 g+ Warning: Risk of death above 10 g[8] PW |
| TripSit | – | 0.5–1.5 g TS | 1–2.5 g TS | 2–3.5 g TS | 3.5–5 g TS |
NOTE: Tends to induce heavy sedation from about the 3g mark. TS
TripSit dose text
TripSit's factsheet also states its doses as text.
Oral Light: 0.5-1.5g Common: 1-2.5g Strong: 2-3.5g Heavy: 3.5-5g Dangerous: 7g+ | NOTE: Tends to induce heavy sedation from about the 3g mark. TS
What dose are you on? (self-reported, unverified)
No reports yet.
Reports are anonymous, one per browser per day per route. Counts under 20 are shown but marked as too few to mean anything. Until accounts launch, reports stay in this browser only.
Duration
Oral, drawn at the midpoint of each PsychonautWiki range.
| Route · source | Onset | Come-up | Peak | Offset | Total | After-effects |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Oral · PsychonautWiki | 5–30 minutes PW | 10–20 minutes PW | 45–90 minutes PW | 15–30 minutes PW | 1.5–2.5 hours PW | 2–4 hours PW |
TripSit factsheet
Mixing
Acute combinations: what happens when these are taken close together. Entries backed by a medical journal or agency are listed first.
Backed by medical journals
Other documented combinations
- Dangerous Ketamine - Both substances cause ataxia and bring a risk of vomiting and unconsciousness. If the user falls unconscious while under the influence there is a severe risk of vomit aspiration if they are not placed in the recovery position. PW
- Dangerous MXE - Both substances cause ataxia and bring a risk of vomiting and unconsciousness. If the patient falls unconscious while under the influence there is a severe risk of vomit aspiration if they are not placed in the recovery position. PW
- Dangerous DXM - Both substances cause ataxia and bring a risk of vomiting and unconsciousness. If the patient falls unconscious while under the influence there is a severe risk of vomit aspiration if they are not placed in the recovery position. This combination is hard to predict. PW
- Dangerous PCP - Details of this combination are not well understood but PCP generally interacts in an unpredictable manner. PW
- Dangerous Alcohol - Even in very low doses this combination rapidly leads to memory loss, severe ataxia and unconsciousness. There is a high risk of vomit aspiration while unconscious. PW
- Dangerous Opioids - The two substances potentiate each other strongly and unpredictably, very rapidly leading to unconsciousness. While unconscious, vomit aspiration is a risk if not placed in the recovery position. PW
- Dangerous Tramadol - The sedative effects of this combination can lead to dangerous respiratory depression. PW
- Dangerous Benzodiazepines - The two substances potentiate each other strongly and unpredictably, very rapidly leading to unconsciousness. While unconscious, vomit aspiration is a risk if not placed in the recovery position. PW
- Uncertain Nitrous - Both substances potentiate the ataxia and sedation caused by the other and can lead to unexpected loss of consciousness at high doses. While unconscious, vomit aspiration is a risk if not placed in the recovery position. Memory blackouts are likely. PW
- Uncertain Amphetamines - Stimulants increase respiration rate allowing a higher dose of sedatives. If the stimulant wears off first then the GHB may overcome the patient and cause respiratory arrest. PW
- Uncertain MDMA - Large amounts of GHB/GBL may overwhelm the effects of MDMA on the comedown. PW
- Uncertain Cocaine - Stimulants increase respiration rate allowing a higher dose of sedatives. If the stimulant wears off first then the GHB may overcome the patient and cause respiratory arrest. Likewise the GHB can wear off and leave a dangerous concentration of Cocaine behind. PW
TripSit combination chart
TripSit rates each pairing. Only pairings with a number carry a citation from TripSit. See the whole chart, with TripSit's note for every pairing.
Risks and toxicity
GHB is considered to be a safe and non-toxic substance when used responsibly or medically. The LD₅₀ is above the active dosage, and there is no danger of acute toxicity. However, it can become dangerous when used as a recreational drug or abused. There have been many negative reports from recreational users who have overdosed, combined GHB with alcohol or other drugs, or accidentally dosed themselves unexpectedly.[13] PW
One publication investigated 226 deaths attributed to GHB. Seventy-one deaths (34%) were caused by GHB alone while the other deaths were from respiratory depression caused by interaction with alcohol or other drugs.[14] PW
As an endogenous regulator of energy metabolism and a natural neurotransmitter, GHB is well-known to the brain and organs which are used to its effects and have highly efficient systems for metabolizing it safely. The substance is eliminated (that is, back to baseline levels) in 2-4 hours and continues to be so even after twice-daily doses for a week. In one European study, no adverse effects were reported after several years of regular recreational use.[15]
Accidental ingestions of GHB have also occurred due to inadequate storage methods. If GHB is put into a clear liquid, glass, or bottle, it can be easily mistaken for water. It is recommended to clearly label your GHB 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 GHB in a container that no one would drink out of. PW
It is recommended to dilute GHB with a non-alcoholic liquid in the ratio of at least 1:100 (e.g., 200ml of water for 2ml of GHB), in order to avoid potential burns to the intestines and mouth.[17] PW
It is strongly recommended that one use harm reduction practices when using this substance. PW
Neurotoxicity
A 2022 review compared 43 studies on GHB-induced cognitive impairment in humans and animals. The analysis suggests that moderate or clinical use may result in acute cognitive impairment. Working memory, short-term memory, and impaired performance on cognitive tasks were impaired after doses as low as 10mg/kg, but these effects appear to be temporary. Conversely, one study found that a dose of 20mg/kg improved social and non-social cognition, but did not affect base cognitive functions, such as visual or verbal memory recall. However, chronic heavy use of GHB, especially if accompanied by GHB-induced comas appear to cause long-term cognitive impairment and are likely neurotoxic.[18] PW
In multiple studies, GHB has been found to impair spatial memory, working memory, learning and memory in rats with chronic administration. These effects are associated with decreased NMDA receptor expression in the cerebral cortex and possibly other areas as well.[19–22] PW
One study found that repeated administration of GHB to rats for 15 days drastically reduced the number of neurons and non-neuronal cells within the hippocampus and in the prefrontal cortex. With doses of 10 mg/kg of GHB, they were decreased by 61% in the hippocampus region and 32% in the prefrontal cortex, and with 100 mg/kg, they were decreased by 38% and 9%, respectively. This paper demonstrates contradicting effects on neuronal loss, with lower doses (10 mg/kg) producing the most neurotoxicity, and higher doses (100 mg/kg) producing less. PW
Overdose
To avoid a possible overdose of GHB, it is important to start with a low dose and work your way up slowly by increasing the dosage in small increments. While a common recreational dose is 2g, a dose of 5g - 10g can result in convulsions, unconsciousness and vomiting. Doses above 10 grams are associated with a risk of death. Recreational users must also consider the different potency of different GHB preparations available on the illicit market. Thus, even an experienced user should start with a lower than normal dose, if trying a new product for the first time.[8]
Tolerance and addiction potential
GHB is moderately to highly physically and moderately psychologically addictive. The frequent use of GHB can cause withdrawal symptoms similar to those caused by other depressants such as alcohol and benzodiazepines if abruptly discontinued. These symptoms seem to depend on the dosage and the length of time the drug was used for. Light to moderate users often experience anxiety, insomnia, sleep-related problems, and tremors whereas heavy use can cause severe withdrawal symptoms like delirium, psychosis, and hallucinations.[24–27] PW
GHB, when used medicinally (two medicinal doses per day, four hours apart), creates little to no dependance while the more frequent one uses GHB, it causes exponentially more dependance and withdrawal symptoms.[28] PW
Although there have been reported fatalities due to GHB withdrawal, reports are inconclusive and further research is needed.[29] PW
Tolerance will develop to the sedative-hypnotic effects within several days of continuous use. After cessation, the tolerance returns to baseline in 7 - 14 days. Withdrawal symptoms or rebound symptoms may occur after ceasing usage abruptly following a few weeks or longer of steady dosing, and may necessitate a gradual dose reduction to minimize neurotoxicity from withdrawal. It is proposed that GHB and especially GBL can lead to dependence at a significantly faster rate than longer-acting depressants. PW
GHB presents cross-tolerance with 1,4-Butanediol and GBL, since these act as prodrugs for GHB. Cross-tolerance with alcohol and baclofen has been shown in rats, and is likely with other GABAB-agonists.[30]
TripSit factsheet
Testing
Effects
Similar to alcohol, but subjectively 'cleaner' TS
Overview
gamma-Hydroxybutyric acid (also known as 4-hydroxybutanoic acid and GHB) is a depressant substance. It is found naturally as a neurotransmitter and is also a precursor to GABA, glutamate, and glycine in certain brain areas. It acts on the GHB receptor and is a weak agonist at the GABAB receptor. PW
A euphoric depressant which is prescribed as a sleep aid and sometimes to help with Alcohol detox. Also used as a recreational depressant, as a non-toxic alternative to Alcohol. Despite not having Alcohol's toxicity it is risky due to among other things inconsistent concentration in commonly sold solution form, and can be very dangerous if taken with other depressants.[1]
γ-Hydroxybutyric acid (GHB), also known as 4-hydroxybutanoic acid, is a naturally occurring neurotransmitter and a depressant drug. It is a precursor to GABA, glutamate, and glycine in certain brain areas. It acts on the GHB receptor and is a weak agonist at the GABAB receptor. GHB has been used in medicine as a general anesthetic and as treatment for cataplexy, narcolepsy, and alcohol use disorder. It is also used illicitly for performance enhancement, date rape, and recreation.[3]
It is commonly used in the form of a salt, with the conjugate base of GHB being called γ-hydroxybutyrate or oxybate. The sodium (NaGHB, sodium oxybate, or Xyrem) and potassium (KGHB, potassium oxybate) salts are common. GHB is produced as a result of fermentation, and is found in small quantities in some beers and wines, beef, and small citrus fruits.[6]
Succinic semialdehyde dehydrogenase deficiency causes GHB to accumulate in the blood. WP
History
History
Alexander Zaytsev worked on this chemical family and published work on it in 1874. The first extended research into GHB and its use in humans was conducted in the early 1960s by Henri Laborit to use in studying the neurotransmitter GABA. It was studied in a range of uses including obstetric surgery and during childbirth and as an anxiolytic; there were anecdotal reports of it having antidepressant and aphrodisiac effects as well. It was also studied as an intravenous anesthetic agent and was marketed for that purpose starting in 1964 in Europe but it was not widely adopted as it caused seizures; as of 2006 that use was still authorized in France and Italy but not widely used. It was also studied to treat alcohol addiction; while the evidence for this use is weak; however, sodium oxybate is marketed for this use in Italy.[32–36] WP
GHB and sodium oxybate were also studied for use in narcolepsy from the 1960s onwards.[34] WP
In May 1990 GHB was introduced as a dietary supplement and was marketed to body builders, for help with weight control and as a sleep aid, and as a "replacement" for l-tryptophan, which was removed from the market in November 1989 when batches contaminated with trace impurities were found to cause eosinophilia–myalgia syndrome, although eosinophilia–myalgia syndrome is also tied to tryptophan overload. In 2001 tryptophan supplement sales were allowed to resume, and in 2005 the FDA ban on tryptophan supplement importation was lifted. By November 1989 57 cases of illness caused by the GHB supplements had been reported to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, with people having taken up to three teaspoons of GHB; there were no deaths but nine people needed care in an intensive care unit. The FDA issued a warning in November 1990 that sale of GHB was illegal. GHB continued to be manufactured and sold illegally and it and analogs were adopted as a club drug and came to be used as a date rape drug, and the DEA made seizures and the FDA reissued warnings several times throughout the 1990s.[37–44] WP
At the same time, research on the use of GHB in the form of sodium oxybate had formalized, as a company called Orphan Medical had filed an investigational new drug application and was running clinical trials with the intention of gaining regulatory approval for use to treat narcolepsy.[34]
A popular children's toy, Bindeez (also known as Aqua Dots, in the United States), produced by Melbourne company Moose, was banned in Australia in early November 2007 when it was discovered that 1,4-butanediol (1,4-B), which is metabolized into GHB, had been substituted for the non-toxic plasticiser 1,5-pentanediol in the bead manufacturing process. Three young children were hospitalized as a result of ingesting a large number of the beads, and the toy was recalled.[46] WP
Legal status
- In 2001, GHB was placed under international control, in Schedule IV of the 1971 UN Convention on Psychotropic Substances.[47] PW
- Austria: GHB is illegal to possess, produce and sell under the SMG (Suchtmittelgesetz Österreich). PW⚠ PsychonautWiki itself has flagged this text: citation needed.
- Australia: GHB, 1,4-B and GBL are all Class B illegal drugs, along with any possible esters, ethers and aldehydes. PW⚠ PsychonautWiki itself has flagged this text: citation needed.
- Chile: GHB is a controlled drug under the law "Ley de substancias psicotropicas y estupefacientes" (psychotropic substances and narcotics). PW⚠ PsychonautWiki itself has flagged this text: citation needed.
- Canada: GHB is controlled under Schedule I of the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act. Activities such as sale, possession and production of GHB are illegal, unless authorized for medical, scientific or industrial purposes.[48] PW
- Germany: GHB is a controlled substance under Anlage III of the BtMG. It can only be prescribed on a narcotic prescription form. There is an exception for injection preperations, containing up to 20% or 2g GHB per unit, which are viewed as a regular medicine.[49] PW
- Italy: GHB is a schedule IV drug (Tabella 4) of the "Testo unico sulla droga (D.P.R. 309/90)". When prescribed for medical use it falls under Pharmaceuticals section B (Tabella medicinali sezione B).[50]
[51] PW - Hong Kong: GHB is regulated under Schedule 1 of Hong Kong's Chapter 134 Dangerous Drugs Ordinance. PW⚠ PsychonautWiki itself has flagged this text: citation needed.
- New Zealand: GHB, 1,4-B and GBL are all Class B illegal drugs, along with any possible esters, ethers and aldehydes. PW⚠ PsychonautWiki itself has flagged this text: citation needed.
- Norway: GHB is considered a narcotic and is only available by prescription under the trade name Xyrem. PW⚠ PsychonautWiki itself has flagged this text: citation needed.
- Romania: GHB is considered a Schedule I illegal drug.[52] PW
- Switzerland: GHB is a controlled substance specifically named under Verzeichnis A. Medicinal use is permitted.[53] PW
- United Kingdom: GHB was made a Class C drug in June 2003. PW⚠ PsychonautWiki itself has flagged this text: citation needed.
- United States: GHB was placed on Schedule I of the Controlled Substances Act in March 2000. However, when sold as sodium oxybate, it is considered a Schedule III substance but with Schedule I trafficking penalties. It is one of several drugs that are listed in multiple schedules.[54] PW
Legal status
In the United States, GHB was placed on Schedule I of the Controlled Substances Act in March 2000. However, used in sodium oxybate under an IND or NDA from the US FDA, it is considered a Schedule III substance but with Schedule I trafficking penalties.[55–58] WP
In March 2001, the United Nations Commission on Narcotic Drugs placed GHB in Schedule IV of the 1971 Convention on Psychotropic Substances.[59] WP
In the United Kingdom, GHB was made a class C drug in June 2003. In October 2013, the ACMD recommended upgrading it from schedule IV to schedule II in line with UN recommendations. Their report concluded that the minimal use of Xyrem in the UK meant that prescribers would be minimally inconvenienced by the rescheduling. This advice was followed and GHB was moved to schedule 2 on 7 January 2015. In April 2022 GHB was changed from class C to class B.[60–63] WP
In Hong Kong, GHB is regulated under Schedule 1 of Hong Kong's Chapter 134 Dangerous Drugs Ordinance. It can only be used legally by health professionals and for university research purposes. The substance can be given by pharmacists under a prescription. Anyone who supplies the substance without prescription can be fined HK$10,000. The penalty for trafficking or manufacturing the substance is a HK$150,000 fine and life imprisonment. Possession of the substance for consumption without license from the Department of Health is illegal with a HK$100,000 fine or five years of jail time. WP
In Canada, GHB has been a Schedule I controlled substance since 6 November 2012 (the same schedule that contains heroin and cocaine). Prior to that date, it was a Schedule III controlled substance (the same schedule that contains amphetamines and LSD).[64] WP
In New Zealand and Australia, GHB, 1,4-B, and GBL are all Class B illegal drugs, along with any possible esters, ethers, and aldehydes. GABA itself is also listed as an illegal drug in these jurisdictions, which seems unusual given its failure to cross the blood–brain barrier, but there was a perception among legislators that all known analogues should be covered as far as this was possible. Attempts to circumvent the illegal status of GHB have led to the sale of derivatives such as 4-methyl-GHB (γ-hydroxyvaleric acid, GHV) and its prodrug form γ-valerolactone (GVL), but these are also covered under the law by virtue of their being "substantially similar" to GHB or GBL, so importation, sale, possession and use of these compounds is also considered to be illegal. WP
In Chile, GHB is a controlled drug under the law Ley de substancias psicotrópicas y estupefacientes (psychotropic substances and narcotics). WP
In Norway and in Switzerland, GHB is considered a narcotic and is only available by prescription under the trade name Xyrem (Union Chimique Belge S.A.).[65]
Sodium oxybate is also used therapeutically in Italy under the brand name Alcover for treatment of alcohol withdrawal and dependence.[67] WP
Pharmacology
Detection of use
GHB may be quantitated in blood or plasma to confirm a diagnosis of poisoning in hospitalized patients, to provide evidence in an impaired driving, or to assist in a medicolegal death investigation. Blood or plasma GHB concentrations are usually in a range of 50–250 mg/L in persons receiving the drug therapeutically (during general anesthesia), 30–100 mg/L in those arrested for impaired driving, 50–500 mg/L in acutely intoxicated patients and 100–1000 mg/L in victims of fatal overdosage. Urine is often the preferred specimen for routine drug abuse monitoring purposes. Both γ-butyrolactone (GBL) and 1,4-butanediol are converted to GHB in the body.[68–71] WP
A method of detecting GHB in saliva was developed in 2016.[72] WP
Pharmacology
GHB is very similar to the important inhibitory neurotransmitter GABA, with an amino group of GABA being replaced by a hydroxy group. If taken orally, GABA does not effectively cross the blood–brain barrier while GHB does.[73] WP
GHB has at least two distinct binding sites in the central nervous system. It acts as an agonist at the excitatory GHB receptor and as a weak agonist at the inhibitory GABAB receptor. GHB is a naturally occurring substance that acts in a similar fashion to some neurotransmitters in the mammalian brain. GHB is probably synthesized from GABA in GABAergic neurons, and released when the neurons fire.[74–77] WP
GHB has been found to activate oxytocinergic neurons in the supraoptic nucleus.[78] WP
GHB induces the accumulation of either a derivative of tryptophan or tryptophan itself in the extracellular space, possibly by increasing tryptophan transport across the blood–brain barrier. The blood content of certain neutral amino-acids, including tryptophan, is also increased by peripheral GHB administration. GHB-induced stimulation of tissue serotonin turnover may be due to an increase in tryptophan transport to the brain and in its uptake by serotonergic cells. As the serotonergic system may be involved in the regulation of sleep, mood, and anxiety, the stimulation of this system by high doses of GHB may be involved in certain neuropharmacological events induced by GHB administration.[79]
However, at therapeutic doses, GHB reaches much higher concentrations in the brain and activates GABAB receptors, which are primarily responsible for its sedative effects. GHB's sedative effects are blocked by GABAB antagonists.[82]
The role of the GHB receptor in the behavioural effects induced by GHB is more complex. GHB receptors are densely expressed in many areas of the brain, including the cortex and hippocampus, and these are the receptors that GHB displays the highest affinity for. There has been somewhat limited research into the GHB receptor; however, there is evidence that activation of the GHB receptor in some brain areas results in the release of glutamate, the principal excitatory neurotransmitter. Drugs that selectively activate the GHB receptor cause absence seizures in high doses, as do GHB and GABAB agonists.[84]
Activation of both the GHB receptor and GABAB is responsible for the addictive profile of GHB. GHB's effect on dopamine release is biphasic. Low concentrations stimulate dopamine release via the GHB receptor. Higher concentrations inhibit dopamine release via GABAB receptors as do other GABAB agonists such as baclofen and phenibut. After an initial phase of inhibition, dopamine release is then increased via the GHB receptor. Both the inhibition and increase of dopamine release by GHB are inhibited by opioid antagonists such as naloxone and naltrexone. Dynorphin may play a role in the inhibition of dopamine release via kappa opioid receptors.[85]
This explains the paradoxical mix of sedative and stimulatory properties of GHB, as well as the so-called "rebound" effect, experienced by individuals using GHB as a sleeping agent, wherein they awake suddenly after several hours of GHB-induced deep sleep. That is to say that, over time, the concentration of GHB in the system decreases below the threshold for significant GABAB receptor activation and activates predominantly the GHB receptor, leading to wakefulness.[92] WP
Recently, analogs of GHB, such as 4-hydroxy-4-methylpentanoic acid (UMB68) have been synthesised and tested on animals, in order to gain a better understanding of GHB's mode of action. Analogues of GHB such as 3-methyl-GHB, 4-methyl-GHB, and 4-phenyl-GHB have been shown to produce similar effects to GHB in some animal studies, but these compounds are even less well researched than GHB itself. Of these analogues, only 4-methyl-GHB (γ-hydroxyvaleric acid, GHV) and a prodrug form γ-valerolactone (GVL) have been reported as drugs of abuse in humans, and on the available evidence seem to be less potent but more toxic than GHB, with a particular tendency to cause nausea and vomiting.[93] WP
Other prodrug ester forms of GHB have also rarely been encountered by law enforcement, including 1,4-butanediol diacetate (BDDA/DABD), methyl-4-acetoxybutanoate (MAB), and ethyl-4-acetoxybutanoate (EAB), but these are, in general, covered by analogue laws in jurisdictions where GHB is illegal, and little is known about them beyond their delayed onset and longer duration of action. The intermediate compound γ-hydroxybutyraldehyde (GHBAL) is also a prodrug for GHB; however, as with all aliphatic aldehydes this compound is caustic and is strong-smelling and foul-tasting; actual use of this compound as an intoxicant is likely to be unpleasant and result in severe nausea and vomiting.[94] WP
Only a minor portion (1–5%) of the administered GHB dose is excreted unchanged in the urine. Studies have shown that the maximum concentration of GHB in urine appears within 1 hour and rapidly declines thereafter. The vast majority (95–98%) undergoes extensive metabolism in the liver. GHB is broken down through a series of enzymatic pathways. The primary route involves conversion to succinic semialdehyde (SSA) by either GHB dehydrogenase (ADH) or GHB transhydrogenase. SSA is further oxidized by succinic semialdehyde dehydrogenase (SSADH) to succinic acid, which enters the Krebs cycle and is ultimately converted into carbon dioxide and water.[85]
Both of the metabolic breakdown pathways shown for GHB can run in either direction, depending on the concentrations of the substances involved, so the body can make its own GHB either from GABA or from succinic semialdehyde. Under normal physiological conditions, the concentration of GHB in the body is rather low, and the pathways would run in the reverse direction to what is shown here to produce endogenous GHB. However, when GHB is consumed for recreational or health promotion purposes, its concentration in the body is much higher than normal, which changes the enzyme kinetics so that these pathways operate to metabolise GHB rather than producing it. WP
Chemistry
- Formula
- C4H7O3-
PC - Formula (Wikipedia infobox)
- C4H8O3 WP⚠ Wikipedia and PubChem give different formulas. Both are shown as each source has it.
- Note
- ⚠ The PubChem record carries a charge, so it may describe an ion or salt of this substance rather than the substance itself.
- Molar mass (g/mol)
- 103.10 PC
- IUPAC name (computed by PubChem)
- 4-
hydroxybutanoate PC - SMILES
- C(CC(=O)
[O- PC] ) CO - InChIKey
- SJZRECIVHVDYJC-
UHFFFAOYSA- PCM - PubChem CID
- 3037032
User reports
Erowid erowid.org
ListingsErowid Experience Vault listing TS
Link as published on TripSit's factsheet.
Top storiesBluelight bluelight.org
ListingsReddit reddit.com
ListingsPop culture
No references added yet.
Add a reference
Registered users can add songs, films, books, shows, games and art about this substance. Link a source that names the substance, such as the work's Wikipedia article, a review or an interview, not only the work itself. Entries are voted on and moderated like every other value on this page.
Opens when accounts launch.
References
- Journal / agency The presence of gamma-hydroxybutyric acid (GHB) and gamma-butyrolactone (GBL) in alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages
- Journal / agency Pharmacological aspects of the combined use of 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA, ecstasy) and gamma-hydroxybutyric acid (GHB): a review of t
- Journal / agency Sodium Oxybate: MedlinePlus Drug Information. 28 July 2010
- Other Benzer TI, Cameron S. Toxicity, Gamma-Hydroxybutyrate. 8 January 2007
- Other US Drug Enforcement Administration. GHB, GBL and 1,4BD as Date Rape Drugs
- Journal / agency Roth, T. Therapeutic Use of γ-Hydroxybutyrate: History and Clinical Utility of Oxybates and Considerations of Once- and Twice-Nightly Dosing in Narcolepsy. CNS drugs. March 2025. doi:10.1007/s40263-024-01150-8 · PMID 40111735 · PMC11950157
- Other Weil A, Winifred R. From Chocolate to Morphine. 1993
- Harm reduction site Erowid GHB Vault : Dosage
- Journal / agency William J Tharion, Donna J. McMenemy, Terry M. Rauch. Antihistamine Effects on the Central Nervous System, Cognitive Performance and Subjective States
- Journal / agency Sicari V, Zabbo CP. Diphenhydramine. Diphenhydramine
- Journal / agency Couper FJ, Marinetti LJ. γ-Hydroxybutyrate (GHB) - Effects on Human Performance and Behavior
- Journal / agency Busardò FP, Jones AW. GHB Pharmacology and Toxicology: Acute Intoxication, Concentrations in Blood and Urine in Forensic Cases and Treatment of the Withdrawal Syndrome
- Harm reduction site GHB - Erowid Exp - “GHB Overdoses & Poisonings”
- Journal / agency Zvosec, D. L., Smith, S. W., Porrata, T., Strobl, A. Q., Dyer, J. E. Case series of 226 γ-hydroxybutyrate-associated deaths: lethal toxicity and trauma. The American Journal of Emergency Medicine. March 2011. doi:10.1016/j.ajem.2009.11.008
- Journal / agency Ferrara, S., Zotti, S., Tedeschi, L., Frison, G., Castagna, F., Gallimberti, L., Gessa, G., Palatini, P. Pharmacokinetics of gamma-hydroxybutyric acid in alcohol dependent patients after single and repeated oral doses. British Journal of Clinical Pharmacology. September 1992. doi:10.1111/j.1365-2125.1992.tb04129.x
- Journal / agency Laborit, H. Correlations between protein and serotonin synthesis during various activities of the central nervous system (slow and desynchronized sleep, learning and memory, sexual activity, morphine tolerance, aggressiveness, and pharmacological action of sodium gamma-hydroxybutyrate). Research Communications in Chemical Pathology and Pharmacology. January 1972
- Other https://sidekicks.berlin/en/ghb-gbl/#beratung
- Journal / agency Amsterdam JV, Brunt TM, Pereira FR, Crunelle CL, Brink WVD. Cognitive Impairment Following Clinical or Recreational Use of Gammahydroxybutyric Acid (GHB): A Systematic Review. Curr Neuropharmacol. 2022;20(4):809-819
- Journal / agency Sircar, R., Basak, A. Adolescent γ-hydroxybutyric acid exposure decreases cortical N-methyl-d-aspartate receptor and impairs spatial learning. Pharmacology Biochemistry and Behavior. 1 December 2004. doi:10.1016/j.pbb.2004.09.022
- Journal / agency García, F. B., Pedraza, C., Arias, J. L., Navarro, J. F. Effects of subchronic administration of gammahydroxybutyrate (GHB) on spatial working memory in rats. Psicothema. August 2006
- Journal / agency Sircar, R., Basak, A., Sircar, D. γ-Hydroxybutyric Acid-Induced Cognitive Deficits in the Female Adolescent Rat. Annals of the New York Academy of Sciences. October 2008. doi:10.1196/annals.1432.044
- Journal / agency Pedraza, C., García, F. B., Navarro, J. F. Neurotoxic effects induced by gammahydroxybutyric acid (GHB) in male rats. The International Journal of Neuropsychopharmacology. October 2009. doi:10.1017/S1461145709000157
- Harm reduction site https://www.erowid.org/chemicals/ghb/ghb_health.shtml
- Journal / agency Kim, S. Y., Barker, J. C., Anderson, I. B., Dyer, J. E., Earnest, G., Blanc, P. D. Systematic Assessment of Gamma Hydroxybutyrate (GHB) Effects During and After Acute Intoxication. The American journal on addictions / American Academy of Psychiatrists in Alcoholism and Addictions. 2008. doi:10.1080/10550490802138988
- Journal / agency Carter, L. P., Pardi, D., Gorsline, J., Griffiths, R. R. Illicit gamma-hydroxybutyrate (GHB) and pharmaceutical sodium oxybate (Xyrem®): differences in characteristics and misuse. Drug and alcohol dependence. 1 September 2009. doi:10.1016/j.drugalcdep.2009.04.012
- Journal / agency Dyer, J. E., Roth, B., Hyma, B. A. Gamma-hydroxybutyrate withdrawal syndrome. Annals of Emergency Medicine. February 2001. doi:10.1067/mem.2001.112985
- Harm reduction site GHB Withdrawal Syndrome | Texas Commission on Alcohol and Drug Abuse
- Harm reduction site https://drugs-forum.com/threads/important-ghb-gbl-addiction-withdrawal.43390/page-4
- Journal / agency Galloway, G. P., Frederick, S. L., Staggers, F. E., Gonzales, M., Stalcup, S. A., Smith, D. E. Gamma-hydroxybutyrate: an emerging drug of abuse that causes physical dependence. Addiction. January 1997. doi:10.1111/j.1360-0443.1997.tb03640.x
- Journal / agency Colombo, G., Agabio, R., Lobina, C., Reali, R., Fadda, F., Gessa, G. L. Cross-tolerance to ethanol and γ-hydroxybutyric acid. European Journal of Pharmacology. 6 February 1995. doi:10.1016/0014-2999(94)00687-3
- Journal / agency Smith, M. A., Gergans, S. R., Lyle, M. A. The motor-impairing effects of GABAA and GABAB agonists in γ-hydroxybutyrate (GHB)-treated rats: Cross-tolerance to baclofen but not flunitrazepam. European Journal of Pharmacology. 15 December 2006. doi:10.1016/j.ejphar.2006.08.080
- Other Lewis DE. Early Russian organic chemists and their legacy. 2012
- Journal / agency Saytzeff A. Über die Reduction des Succinylchlorids. Liebigs Annalen der Chemie. 1874. doi:10.1002/jlac.18741710216
- Journal / agency Critical review of gamma-hydroxybutyric acid (GHB). 2012
- Journal / agency Laborit H, Jouany JM, Gerard J, Fabiani F. Generalities concerning the experimental study and clinical use of gamma hydroxybutyrate of Na. Agressologie. October 1960. PMID 13758011
- Other Alcover: Riassunto delle Caratteristiche del Prodotto. 31 March 2017
- Journal / agency Ito J, Hosaki Y, Torigoe Y, Sakimoto K. Identification of substances formed by decomposition of peak E substance in tryptophan. Food and Chemical Toxicology. January 1992. doi:10.1016/0278-6915(92)90139-C · PMID 1544609
- Journal / agency Smith MJ, Garrett RH. A heretofore undisclosed crux of eosinophilia-myalgia syndrome: compromised histamine degradation. Inflammation Research. November 2005. doi:10.1007/s00011-005-1380-7 · PMID 16307217
- Other Kapalka GM. Nutritional and herbal therapies for children and adolescents: a handbook for mental health clinicians. 2010
- Journal / agency Centers for Disease Control (CDC). Multistate outbreak of poisonings associated with illicit use of gamma hydroxy butyrate. MMWR. Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report. November 1990. PMID 2122223
- Journal / agency Dyer JE. gamma-Hydroxybutyrate: a health-food product producing coma and seizurelike activity. The American Journal of Emergency Medicine. July 1991. doi:10.1016/0735-6757(91)90050-t · PMID 2054002
- Other Institute of Medicine; National Research Council (US) Committee on the Framework for Evaluating the Safety of Dietary Supplements. Proposed Framework for Evaluating the Safety of Dietary Supplements: For Comment. 2002
- Journal / agency GHB: A Club Drug To Watch. Substance Abuse Treatment Advisory. November 2002
- Journal / agency Mason PE, Kerns WP. Gamma hydroxybutyric acid (GHB) intoxication. Academic Emergency Medicine. July 2002. doi:10.1197/aemj.9.7.730 · PMID 12093716
- Journal / agency Transcript: FDA Peripheral and Central Nervous System Drugs Advisory Committee Meeting. 6 June 2001
- Other Perry M, Pomfret J, Crabb RP. Australia bans China-made toy on toxic drug risk. 7 November 2007
- Harm reduction site Control measures
- Other Canada, H. GHB. 2012
- Other Anlage III BtMG - Einzelnorm
- Other Tabella IV Sostanze stupefacenti
- Other Tabella Medicinali D.P.R. 309/90
- Other https://legislatie.just.ro/Public/DetaliiDocument/23629
- Other Verordnung des EDI über die Verzeichnisse der Betäubungsmittel, psychotropen Stoffe, Vorläuferstoffe und Hilfschemikalien
- Other Laws. 2010
- Other 2000 – Addition of Gamma-Hydroxybutyric Acid to Schedule I. 13 March 2000
- Other GAMMA HYDROXYBUTYRIC ACID. October 2025
- Other Orange Book - List of controlled substances and regulated chemicals. December 2025
- Other William J. Clinton: Statement on Signing the Hillory J. Farias and Samantha Reid Date-Rape Drug Prohibition Act of 2000. 18 February 2000
- Other Gamma Hydroxybutyrate (GHB). 2002
- Other Iversen L. ACMD advice on the scheduling of GHB. 3 October 2013
- Other Circular 001/2015: A Change to the Misuse of Drugs Act 1971: control of AH-7921, LSD–related compounds, tryptamines, and rescheduling of GHB. 2015
- Other The Misuse of Drugs (Amendment No. 3) (England, Wales and Scotland) Regulations 2014. 11 December 2014
- Other The Misuse of Drugs Act 1971 (Amendment) Order 2022
- Other Controlled Drugs and Substances Act, SC 1996, c 19
- Other FOR 30 June 1978 nr 08: Forskrift om narkotika m.v. (Narkotikalisten)
- Other compendium.ch
- Journal / agency Haller C, Thai D, Jacob P, Dyer JE. GHB urine concentrations after single-dose administration in humans. Journal of Analytical Toxicology. 2006. doi:10.1093/jat/30.6.360 · PMID 16872565 · PMC2257868
- Journal / agency Schep LJ, Knudsen K, Slaughter RJ, Vale JA, Mégarbane B. The clinical toxicology of γ-hydroxybutyrate, γ-butyrolactone and 1,4-butanediol. Clinical Toxicology. July 2012. doi:10.3109/15563650.2012.702218 · PMID 22746383
- Journal / agency Couper FJ, Thatcher JE, Logan BK. Suspected GHB overdoses in the emergency department. Journal of Analytical Toxicology. September 2004. doi:10.1093/jat/28.6.481 · PMID 15516299
- Journal / agency Marinetti LJ, Isenschmid DS, Hepler BR, Kanluen S. Analysis of GHB and 4-methyl-GHB in postmortem matrices after long-term storage. Journal of Analytical Toxicology. 2005. doi:10.1093/jat/29.1.41 · PMID 15808012
- Other R. Baselt, Disposition of Toxic Drugs and Chemicals in Man, 8th edition, Biomedical Publications, Foster City, CA, 2008, pp. 680–84
- Other New spit test for 'date rape' drug developed in the UK. August 2016
- Journal / agency Kuriyama K, Sze PY. Blood-brain barrier to H3-gamma-aminobutyric acid in normal and amino oxyacetic acid-treated animals. Neuropharmacology. January 1971. doi:10.1016/0028-3908(71)90013-X · PMID 5569303
- Journal / agency Wu Y, Ali S, Ahmadian G, Liu CC, Wang YT, Gibson KM, Calver AR, Francis J, Pangalos MN, Carter Snead O. Gamma-hydroxybutyric acid (GHB) and gamma-aminobutyric acidB receptor (GABABR) binding sites are distinctive from one another: molecular evidence. Neuropharmacology. December 2004. doi:10.1016/j.neuropharm.2004.08.019 · PMID 15567424
- Journal / agency Cash CD, Gobaille S, Kemmel V, Andriamampandry C, Maitre M. Gamma-hydroxybutyrate receptor function studied by the modulation of nitric oxide synthase activity in rat frontal cortex punches. Biochemical Pharmacology. December 1999. doi:10.1016/S0006-2952(99)00265-8 · PMID 10571257
- Journal / agency Maitre M, Humbert JP, Kemmel V, Aunis D, Andriamampandry C. A mechanism for gamma-hydroxybutyrate (GHB) as a drug and a substance of abuse. Médecine/Sciences. March 2005. doi:10.1051/medsci/2005213284 · PMID 15745703
- Journal / agency Waszkielewicz A, Bojarski J. Gamma-hydrobutyric acid (GHB) and its chemical modifications: a review of the GHBergic system. Polish Journal of Pharmacology. 2004. PMID 15047976
- Journal / agency McGregor IS, Callaghan PD, Hunt GE. From ultrasocial to antisocial: a role for oxytocin in the acute reinforcing effects and long-term adverse consequences of drug use?. British Journal of Pharmacology. May 2008. doi:10.1038/bjp.2008.132 · PMID 18475254 · PMC2442436
- Journal / agency Gobaille S, Schleef C, Hechler V, Viry S, Aunis D, Maitre M. Gamma-hydroxybutyrate increases tryptophan availability and potentiates serotonin turnover in rat brain. Life Sciences. March 2002. doi:10.1016/s0024-3205(01)01526-0 · PMID 12002803
- Journal / agency Hedner T, Lundborg P. Effect of gammahydroxybutyric acid on serotonin synthesis, concentration and metabolism in the developing rat brain. Journal of Neural Transmission. 1983. doi:10.1007/BF01250046 · PMID 6194255
- Journal / agency Pardi D, Black J. gamma-Hydroxybutyrate/sodium oxybate: neurobiology, and impact on sleep and wakefulness. CNS Drugs. 2006. doi:10.2165/00023210-200620120-00004 · PMID 17140279
- Journal / agency Dimitrijevic N, Dzitoyeva S, Satta R, Imbesi M, Yildiz S, Manev H. Drosophila GABA(B) receptors are involved in behavioral effects of gamma-hydroxybutyric acid (GHB). European Journal of Pharmacology. September 2005. doi:10.1016/j.ejphar.2005.07.016 · PMID 16129424
- Journal / agency Pistis M, Muntoni AL, Pillolla G, Perra S, Cignarella G, Melis M, Gessa GL. Gamma-hydroxybutyric acid (GHB) and the mesoaccumbens reward circuit: evidence for GABA(B) receptor-mediated effects. Neuroscience. 2005. doi:10.1016/j.neuroscience.2004.11.021 · PMID 15708487
- Journal / agency Castelli MP, Ferraro L, Mocci I, Carta F, Carai MA, Antonelli T, Tanganelli S, Cignarella G, Gessa GL. Selective gamma-hydroxybutyric acid receptor ligands increase extracellular glutamate in the hippocampus, but fail to activate G protein and to produce the sedative/hypnotic effect of gamma-hydroxybutyric acid. Journal of Neurochemistry. November 2003. doi:10.1046/j.1471-4159.2003.02037.x · PMID 14535954
- Journal / agency Kamal RM, van Noorden MS, Franzek E, Dijkstra BA, Loonen AJ, De Jong CA. The Neurobiological Mechanisms of Gamma-Hydroxybutyrate Dependence and Withdrawal and Their Clinical Relevance: A Review. Neuropsychobiology. 2016. doi:10.1159/000443173 · PMID 27003176
- Journal / agency Banerjee PK, Snead OC. Presynaptic gamma-hydroxybutyric acid (GHB) and gamma-aminobutyric acidB (GABAB) receptor-mediated release of GABA and glutamate (GLU) in rat thalamic ventrobasal nucleus (VB): a possible mechanism for the generation of absence-like seizures induced by GHB. The Journal of Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics. June 1995. doi:10.1016/S0022-3565(25)09686-7 · PMID 7791129
- Journal / agency Hechler V, Gobaille S, Bourguignon JJ, Maitre M. Extracellular events induced by gamma-hydroxybutyrate in striatum: a microdialysis study. Journal of Neurochemistry. March 1991. doi:10.1111/j.1471-4159.1991.tb02012.x · PMID 1847191
- Journal / agency Maitre M, Hechler V, Vayer P, Gobaille S, Cash CD, Schmitt M, Bourguignon JJ. A specific gamma-hydroxybutyrate receptor ligand possesses both antagonistic and anticonvulsant properties. The Journal of Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics. November 1990. doi:10.1016/S0022-3565(25)23017-8 · PMID 2173754
- Journal / agency Míguez I, Aldegunde M, Duran R, Veira JA. Effect of low doses of gamma-hydroxybutyric acid on serotonin, noradrenaline, and dopamine concentrations in rat brain areas. Neurochemical Research. June 1988. doi:10.1007/BF00973292 · PMID 2457177
- Journal / agency Smolders I, De Klippel N, Sarre S, Ebinger G, Michotte Y. Tonic GABA-ergic modulation of striatal dopamine release studied by in vivo microdialysis in the freely moving rat. European Journal of Pharmacology. September 1995. doi:10.1016/0014-2999(95)00369-V · PMID 8549640
- Journal / agency Mamelak M. Gammahydroxybutyrate: an endogenous regulator of energy metabolism. Neuroscience and Biobehavioral Reviews. 1989. doi:10.1016/S0149-7634(89)80053-3 · PMID 2691926
- Journal / agency Oliveto A, Gentry WB, Pruzinsky R, Gonsai K, Kosten TR, Martell B, Poling J. Behavioral effects of gamma-hydroxybutyrate in humans. Behavioural Pharmacology. July 2010. doi:10.1097/FBP.0b013e32833b3397 · PMID 20526195 · PMC2911496
- Journal / agency Wu H, Zink N, Carter LP, Mehta AK, Hernandez RJ, Ticku MK, Lamb R, France CP, Coop A. A tertiary alcohol analog of gamma-hydroxybutyric acid as a specific gamma-hydroxybutyric acid receptor ligand. The Journal of Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics. May 2003. doi:10.1124/jpet.102.046797 · PMID 12606613
- Journal / agency Busardò FP, Jones AW. GHB pharmacology and toxicology: acute intoxication, concentrations in blood and urine in forensic cases and treatment of the withdrawal syndrome. Current Neuropharmacology. January 2015. doi:10.2174/1570159X13666141210215423 · PMID 26074743 · PMC4462042
- Journal / agency Felmlee MA, Morse BL, Morris ME. γ-Hydroxybutyric Acid: Pharmacokinetics, Pharmacodynamics, and Toxicology. The AAPS Journal. January 2021. doi:10.1208/s12248-020-00543-z · PMID 33417072 · PMC8098080
- Journal / agency Taxon ES, Halbers LP, Parsons SM. Kinetics aspects of Gamma-hydroxybutyrate dehydrogenase. Biochimica et Biophysica Acta (BBA) - Proteins and Proteomics. May 2020. doi:10.1016/j.bbapap.2020.140376 · PMID 31981617
Text and values on this page are quoted from PsychonautWiki (CC BY-SA 4.0), Wikipedia (CC BY-SA 4.0), TripSit factsheets, PubChem (public domain). Each value links to the exact revision it came from.