GHB- gamma-hydroxybutyrate

AKA-Liquid ecstasy, Liquid x, Liquid e, Soap, Scoop, Easy lay, Salty water


DESCRIPTION

GHB is found naturally in every cell in the human body and is most properly considered a nutrient. It's found in greater concentration in the hypothalamus, basal ganglia, kidney, heart...

It was synthesized about 30 years ago by Dr. H. Laborit while exploring the effects of GABA in the brain. Because little or no GABA crosses the blood brain barrier, Laborit synthesized GHB, which substitutes a hydroxy group for an amino group. This difference allows GHB to cross the blood-brain barrier where some of it is metabolized into GABA.

On november 8/1990 FDA banned the over the counter sale of GHB in the US
It was used as an alternative anaesthetic for surgery and medical operations but soon discarded due to it's side effects.

It got popular in the bodybuilders community of the 80's for it's anabolic qualities and it was sold on every health food store.

People noticed that GHB could produce: euphoria, increased sensitivity to touch (reason why, many call it Liquid X ) and drowsiness. It became popular at the drug scene preferred for it's legal status. It have been used for the treatment of insomnia, alcoholism and sleep disorders, like: narcolepsia .
GHB usually comes in liquid which is odorless and colorless and salty.

It can also be found in pills or a powder that it's mixed with water.
When in liquid form it usually comes on a 30ml. bottle at a cheap price.


DOSE

Since GHB's concentration varies greatly the most intelligent thing to do is not to try it, but since most people don't give a damn about it, here it is:

.5 - 1.5 grams /Low dose
1 - 2.5 grams /Medium dose
2 - 3 grams /Heavy dose
3 - + grams / Can cause heavy sleep

An overdose can cause : temporal unarousable sleep, vomiting and dizziness.
Remember that an overdose on any chemical ( including aspirin ) can cause negative and damaging effects.
Remember that many people react differently to different drugs



EFFECTS

With the right dose GHB produces a pleasant state of relaxation . Other common effects are :mild euphoria, sensuality, drowsiness all depending on the user. GHB's effect is similar to those of alcohol (2-3 drinks) or downers. Many people take it with ephedrine or speed to counteract the downer effect.

Some of the negative effects are: bradycardia, anxiety, nausea, unconsciousness, respiratory arrest. seizures, confusion and agitation. Most of the negative effects are due to the mixing of GHB with other drugs like downers or alcohol . Some of the next day effects are sleepiness and drowsiness although some have reported feeling happy and alert . Negative after effects seem to increase with frequent use. It's effects last only a few hours during which it metabolizes into CO2 and H2O leaving no toxic metabolites [ Vickers 1969 - Laborit 1972 ]


DANGERS

GHB's most relevant dangers are: dose and alcohol. When combined with alcohol, dangers increase about 5 times causing amnesia, vomiting and seizures. From august 1995 to september 1996 Texas and N.Y.'s poison control centers received 69 poisonings reports and one death attributed to the ingestion of GHB.

Since it's illegal is mostly manufactured by amateur chemist which increases the dangers because of improper preparation ( One case was that of 4 men who drank poorly mixed GHB and it burned their mouths and food pipes ). Since they mix it in unknown concentration is difficult to get the right dose ( a dose can range from a few drops to a full glass) which can lead to an overdose (A woman in Tampa had an overdose with just 2 drops according to the police)

If it were legal it could be labeled correctly with dose, cautions and procedures.