Gamma Hydroxybutyrate GHB

In 1963, GHB was found to occur naturally in many mammalian cells, including those in the brain. Since that time, it has been purported to act as a neurotransmitter. GHB is both a precursor and metabolite of GABA, although it does not act directly on GABA receptor sites. Recently, a putative GHB receptor has been cloned. This means it may be possible that 

GHB is available in both a sodium- and potassium-salt form. The sodium salt of GHB is more widely available. Two related chemicals—gamma butyrolactone and 1,4-butanediol (1,4-BD)—are used as equivalents to GHB. GHB is readily 

Aside from GBL, another GHB precursor chemical, known as 1,4-butanediol, is used extensively in chemical manufacturing. In 2001, it was estimated that the industrial consumption of 1,4-butanediol in the United States would be 387,000 metric tons.30 Though its major legitimate uses are in the synthesis of other chemicals, it is also an abused recreational drug. Consumption of both GBL and 1,4-BD can cause the same effects as those of GHB, since they are converted in the body into the active drug.31 For this reason, both GBL and 1,4-BD sales are regulated. 

The standard recreational dose of GHB is between 1 and 3 grams, though some people take as much as 4 to 5 grams 

Like Rohypnol, GHB is a central nervous system (CNS) depressant, which, when tested on animals, induces a sleep-like state in doses ranging from 0.1 to 1.5 milligrams per kilogram.33 Although many neurotransmitter systems are affected by treatment with GHB, evidence supports the hypothesis that GHB itself acts as a neurotransmitter. This implies that GHB is a naturally occurring chemical in the body that is necessary for normal nervous system functions. Administered as a drug, GHB has been shown to temporarily inhibit the release of dopamine in the brain.34 This inhibition is followed by a marked increase in the release of both dopamine and naturally occurring opioids, such as endorphins.35 

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McDaniel CH, Miotto KA Gamma hydroxybutyrate (GHB) and gamma butyrolac-tone (GBL) withdrawal five case studies. J Psychoactive Drugs 33 143—149,2001... 

Le Beau MA, Montgomery MA, Miller ML, Burmeister SG. 2000. Analysis of biofluids for gamma-hydroxybutyrate (GHB) and gamma-butyrolactone (GBL) by headspace GC-FID and GC-MS. J Anal Toxicol 24 421. 

Figure 7.3 Gamma-hydroxybutyrate (GHB) is manufactured in illicit home laboratories. The chemicals above were confiscated from a GHB lab in Germany.

Ecstasy tablets are often laced with other drugs such as LSD, amphetamine, cocaine, methamphetamine, heroin, gamma hydroxybutyrate (GHB), and Rohypnol (Roofies). Some tablets are even named according to the drugs they contain. For instance, an H-Bomb refers to Ecstasy mixed with heroin. More often than not, the user is not even aware that the... 

DRUG CLASSIFICATIONS Schedule I, hallucinogen OFFICIAL NAMES Gamma hydroxybutyrate (GHB)... 

This overview will therefore focus on the following substances and narrow discussion of their use primarily to the club environments where they are most used and abused. These drugs include ecstasy (MDMA), gamma hydroxybutyrate (GHB), ketamine (special K), metham-phetamine (crystal), 2C-B (nexus), and phencyclidine (PCP). 

OFFICIAL NAMES Gamma-hydroxybutyrate (GHB), 4-hydroxy butyrate, gamma hydrate, gamma-hydroxybutyrate sodium, gamma hydroxybutyric acid, gamma-OH, sodium oxy-bate, sodium oxybutyrate... 

O Connell, T. Gamma-Hydroxybutyrate (GHB) A Newer Drug of Abuse. American Family Physician 62 (December 1, 2000) 2478-83. 

U.S. Department of Justice. Dmg Enforcement Agency. Dmgs of Concern Gamma Hydroxybutyrate (GHB). . 

Gamma-hydroxybutyrate (GHB), also called liquid ecstasy, is a clear, odorless, and tasteless liquid whose sedative-hypnotic effects are intensified by alcohol. It has been poured into the drink of an... 

Alcohol is just one of many drugs used to facilitate rape. Others include marijuana, cocaine, benzodiazepines, barbiturates, chloral hydrate, methaqualone ( quaaludes ), heroin, morphine, and LSD. Three of the more commonly used drugs today—and the ones that are the focus of this book—are Rohypnol, gamma hydroxybutyrate ( GHB ), and ketamine. Though Rohypnol and GHB were initially used as recreational drugs at clubs and raves, word soon spread among American youth that these drugs could be used quite effectively to commit rape. 

Figure 1.1 The easiest place that a perpetrator can begin to carry out a date rape is at a crowded party or bar. An unsuspecting victim can easily have a drug slipped into his or her drink. The Date Rape Drug Spotter is a cardboard drink coaster that can identify two of the most popular date rape drugs gamma hydroxybutyrate (GHB) and ketamine.

S. Gobaille, D. Aunis, and M. Maitre. Cloning and Characterization of a Rat Brain Receptor that Binds the Endogenous Neuromodulator Gamma-hydroxybutyrate (GHB). FASEB Journal 17 (12) (2003) 1691-1693. 

Hornfeldt, C. S., K. Lothridge, and J. C. Upshaw Downs. Forensic Science Update Gamma-hydroxybutyrate (GHB). Forensic Science Communications 4 (2002) 1-13. 

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