Gamma Hydroxy Butyrate (GHB)

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Since about 1990, GHB (gamma hydroxybutyrate) has been abused in the U.S. for its euphoric, sedative, and anabolic (body building) effects. It is a central nervous system depressant that was widely available over-the-counter in health food stores during the 1980s and until 1992. It was purchased largely by body builders to aid in fat reduction and muscle building. Street names include "liquid ecstasy," "soap," "easy lay," "vita-G," and "Georgia home boy."

Coma and seizures can occur following abuse of GHB. Combining use with other drugs such as alcohol can result in nausea and breathing difficulties. GHB may also produce withdrawal effects, including insomnia, anxiety, tremors, and sweating. GHB and two of its precursors, gamma butyrolactone (GBL) and 1,4 butanediol (BD) have been involved in poisonings, overdoses, date rapes, and deaths.

Source: U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Department of Health and Human Services. National Institute on Drug Abuse. (2002, September 24). NIDA Info Facts: Rohypnol and GHBWashington, DC: U.S. Government Printing Office. Retrieved March 01, 2005 from the World Wide Web:http://www.nida.nih.gov/Infofax/RohypnolGHB.html

Annual use of GHB among 8th-graders and 10th-graders remained relatively stable from 2004 to 2005, but 12th-graders reported a significant decrease according to MTF findings. In 2005, 0.5 percent of 8th-graders, 0.8 percent of 10th-graders, and 1.1 percent of 12th-graders reported annual use.

Hospital emergency department (ED) episodes involving GHB were estimated at 990 for the third and fourth quarters of 2003. Males made up the majority of patients involved in these mentions (52 percent), as did Whites (86 percent). The two age categories with the highest number of mentions were the 18–20 age group and the 35–44 age group, each estimated at 28 percent of total mentions. Among ED mentions involving club drugs, however, only MDMA (ecstasy) is cited more frequently than GHB.

Source: NIDA.  . . (2005, March 1). NIDA InfoFacts: Rohypnol and GHB ( ed.)  (): . Retrieved January 31, 2006 from the World Wide Web:http://www.drugabuse.gov/infofacts/RohypnolGHB.html