Gamma HydroxyButyrate (GHB) Essay, Research Paper
GHB, or Gamma-Hydroxy Butyric Acid is an
intoxicating chemical with medical, recreational, and potentially entheogenic
uses. It is a normal component of mammalian metabolism. It is naturally
found in every cell in the human body and is most properly considered a
nutrient. It is believed to be a neurotransmitter, although it is still
unknown as to whether it exhibits all of the properties required to be
considered one.
GHB was first synthesized about thirty
years ago by Dr. H. Laborit. He was a French researcher interested in exploring
the effects of GABA (gamma-aminobutyric acid) in the brain. Over the years
many researchers have studied GHB?s effects. In Europe it is used as a
general anesthetic, a treatment for insomnia and narcolepsy, an aid to
childbirth, a treatment for alcoholism and alcohol withdrawal syndrome
and many other things. During the 1980’s it was available over the counter
for its ability to stimulate growth hormone release which aids in fat reduction
and muscle building. Now it is very popular as a recreational drug due
to its pleasant alcohol-like hangover- free high and strong sexual effects.
Some street terms include Liquid X, Liquid Ecstacy, Georgia Home Boy, Grievous
Bodily Harm, and Scoop. GHB is not approved in the US and has been banned
from over-the-counter sale by the FDA (1990). GHB has not yet been scheduled
as a controlled substance by the DEA, and therefore simple possession is
not illegal. GHB continues to be sold to legitimate laboratories and scientists
for research purposes but selling it specifically for human consumption,
especially while making claims about its health benefits, is a violation
of current FDA regulations and policy. In some European countries, GHB
is an approved drug available by prescription. The Federal control may
have been an act to protect the pharmaceutical industry from competition
from a safer, more effective and less expensive alternative to sleeping
pills.
There are many side effects and concerns
associated with this drug. GHB affects the release of dopamine in the brain,
usually causing effects ranging from relaxation to sleep at low doses.
Overall the effect is similar to that of alcohol. The difference is that
duration is slightly longer and the hangover effects are slightly less
and the unpleasant and dangerous overdose effect of possibly causing temporarily
unrousable sleep, or coma, at high doses. The effects of GHB are heavily
affected by one?s body weight, interactions with other chemicals, and individual
reaction. Some people find GHB useful for treating insomnia, others use
it to treat alcoholism. Some use it as a replacement for alcohol. The effects
can be broken down by the dose amount.
Low Dose: .5 to 1.5g
This often causes effects similar to those
of 1-3 drinks of alcohol. At this dosage, the user can fell a mild relaxation,
increased sociability, slightly decreased motor skills, mild dizziness,
and other effects similar to mild alcohol intoxication.
Medium Dose: 1-2.5g
This increases the relaxing effects and
the physical disequilibrium experienced. Some report increased appreciation
for music, dancing, or talking. Many report positive mood changes. There
is some slurring of speech, silliness, and slight incoherency. Some report
increased feelings of nausea and grogginess. There are some reports of
pro-sexual effects, an increase in tactile sensitivity, relaxation, increased
male erectile capacity and heightened experience of orgasm, although some
women report that this is harder to achieve.
Heavy Dose: 2.5g +
A heavy dose can increase feelings of
disequilibrium in many people to the point of feeling very ill. (One reason
the GHB has gained notoriety as a Club Drug is that some people experience
extremely positive feelings on Heavy Doses of GHB.) Reports of euphoria,
feeling music deeply, joyous dancing, and other very positive effects are
common. An extra quarter gram can be the difference between euphoria and
vomiting.
Overdose: can be little as 2g
One major problem with GHB as an underground
recreational substance is that it has a sharp dose-response curve, which
can be difficult to manage with the various non- standard preparations
available to the uninformed buyer. Another major problem is that uninformed
users often mix alcohol with GHB, which drastically increases the chance
of vomiting and unconsciousness.
Poisoning:
While many overdoses consist mainly of
heavy sleep, some are life-threatening. GHB Poisonings are characterized
by very low breathing, convulsions, vomiting, being completely non responsive
even to ?deep pain?, fixed pupils, etc.
After Effects:
Some people feel drowsy, sleepy, or groggy
after the effects wear off. The hangover from low and medium doses of GHB
is usually mild or non existent. Some people do report feeling slightly
?fuzzy-headed? the next day. Some also report feeling refreshed, happier,
and more alert the day after use. Using GHB more than once a week can cause
significantly increased negative after effects.
These are the feelings that the user may
experience but it is also important to understand what GHB is doing inside
the body.
GHB temporarily inhibits the release of
dopamine in the brain. This may cause increased dopamine storage and later
increased dopamine release when the GHB influence wears off. This effect
could be the reason why users that awake in the middle of the night is
more common with use of higher GHB doses, and the general feelings of increased
well-being, alertness and arousal the next day. GHB also stimulates pituitary
growth hormone release. It also induces ?remarkable hypotonia? or muscle
relaxation. It is gaining popularity in France and Italy as an aid to childbirth.
It causes a ?spectacular action on the dilation of the cervix,? decreased
anxiety, greater intensity and frequency of uterine contractions, increased
sensitivity to oxytocic drus, preservation of reflexes, a lack of respiratory
depression in the fetus, and protection against fetal cardiac anoxia. GHB
also causes a protein sparing effect which reduces the rate at which proteins
in the body are broken down, which along with the growth hormone, underlies
its common use as an aid to muscle-building and fat loss.
Anesthetic doses of GHB are accompanied
by a small increase in blood sugar levels, and a significant decrease in
cholesterol. Respiration becomes slower and deeper. GHB has been called
an almost ideal sleep inducing substance. Small doses produce relaxation,
tranquility and drowsiness which make it extremely easy to fall asleep
naturally. The primary disadvantage to GHB?s use as a sleep aid is it?s
short term influence, which is about three hours. GHB shows great promise
in the treatment of alcoholism. In Europe, one of its primary uses is to
relieve withdrawal symptoms, cravings, and anxiety among alcoholics.
There are four main prosexual properties
:
1) disinhibition,
2) heightening of the sense of touch,
3) enhancement of male erectile capacity
4) increased intensity of orgasm
All four together heighten the purpose
of using this drug as a ?date-rape? drug.
GHB is available as an odorless, colorless,
and nearly tasteless liquid. Sometimes it is available as a powder, or
in a capsule.
GHB is obviously a very powerful, dangerous,
and addictive drug. When not taken with care it can result in severe brain
damage, coma, even death. It is not currently illegal to have possession
of the drug, however, it is illegal to sell, buy, or make it. There are
different dosages depending on weight and body of the individual. Its street
terms include Georgia Home Boy, Liquid X, Liquid Ecstacy, Grievous Bodily
Harm, and Scoop. It is often used as a date-rape drug due to its ability
to cause relaxation, decreased motor skills, a short euphoric period, grogginess,
slight incoherence, and physical disequilibrium. With very heavy use, many
people report very serious physical addiction. Stopping suddenly results
in anxiety, inability to sleep, feeling like the heart is arrhythmic, and
often very unpleasant and potentially dangerous effects. Many heavy users
have reported being able to taper off their use to zero by reducing their
intake slowly over 2-3 weeks. Best advice? Don?t try this at home kids.