Drugs of Abuse - GHB

What is GHB?

γ-hydroxybutyrate

•   The protonated form of GHB is white and odourless and solid when converted into a metal sal.

•   The KGHB and NaGHB salts are both very hygroscopic.

• GHB is mostly found as an colourless  liquid slightly salty (Advantageous to use to intoxicate somebody).

• Class C drug since 1st July 2003 in the UK.
• Federally controlled (schedule 1) since March 2000 in USA.

• GHB
• Liquid ecstasy
• Liquid X
• Easy Lay
• Scoop
• Fantasy

It was origionally designed to be an anasthetic which can cross the BLOOD BRAIN BARRIER.

It has been recently used to treat narcolepsy and catalepsy, and to help alcohol/opiate withdrawal.

GHB is currently heavily used in DFSA (drug-facilitated sexual assaults) in the same way as Rohypnol and Ketamine.

It is a small endogeneous polar compound.

• Blue Nitro (GBL)
• Renewtrient (GHB)
• Midnight Blue (GBL)
• SomatoPro (1,4-BD)
• Serenity (1,4-BD)
• Enliven (1,4-BD)

1874 - GHB first synthesised by Alexander Zaytsev in Russia.

1960's - Used for human research.

70's, 80's and 90's - Widely used in Europe as a sleeping agent, and anti-depressant.

90's - GHB used in DFSA and robbery.

2000's - GHB banned.

2009 - Dangerous industrial use of GHB, precursor banned (GBL), and medical use.

• GHB is converted into GBL in alkaline solution.
• Converted back (reverse reaction) in acidic solution.

• GBL Gamma-butyrolactone
• 1,4 BD 1,4 butandiol

GBL industrial use: difficult to estimate after recent ban. No longer officially used.

- Viscous clear liquid

- Used instead of GHB in 50% of the cases

- Very rapid conversion into GHB in the body

- Possible slightly delayed effect

1,4-Butanediol industrial use: solvent in plastics, elastic fibers and polyurethanes manufacture.

World production is about one million metric tons per year (Still not banned). Prosecution possible.

“One Comma Four”

- Viscous clear liquid

- Rapid conversion into GHB in the body

1. GHB dose

2. Nausea

3. Dizziness

4. Drowsiness

5. Agitation

6. Visual Disturbance

7. Depressed breathing

8. Uconsciousness

9. Amnesia

10. Coma

11. Death