GHB/ GBL

Gamma Hydroxybutyrate/Gamma-butyrolactone

GHB (gamma hydroxybutyrate) is a depressant drug, it slows down the rate of which our brain sends chemical messages to the rest of the body, breathing and heart rate. It is used for pain management and as anesthetic by doctors.

OTHER NAMES:

‘G’, fantasy, grievous bodily harm (GBH), liquid ecstasy, liquid E, liquid X, and blue nitro

DURATION

• If taken orally the high is usually felt within 15-20 minutes
• The effects can last between three and four hours.
• If injected the high is usually felt immediately

FACTS TO KNOW:

• It is a clear liquid with an astringent bitter or salty taste and is usually odourless
• It is sold in small bottles or vials or in soy sauce fish capsules
• GBL (gamma-butyrolactone) and 1,4-BD are chemicals that are closely related to GHB
• Once GBL or 1,4-BD enter the body, they convert to GHB almost immediately
• GHB is usually swallowed but is sometimes injected
• It can make you feel really happy, calm, sleepy and reduce your inhibitions
• Weight, health, amount, frequency of usage, quality of drug all play a role in how GHB effects a person.

STAYING AS SAFE AS YOU CAN:

• Start with a small dose as it is hard to know the strength of the drug
• Buy from a known and trusted source so you can enquire about strength and purity
• There is a really small difference between a nice dose and enough to make you overdose
• Remember that GHB doses “stack” which means that you might not feel the effects but it is still in your system and taking more will increase your risk of overdose
• If taking multiple doses use less each time you use to avoid overdose
• It’s important to know that mixing alcohol and other drugs including prescription medication with GHB will increase the likelihood of overdose.
• Use in a safe environment with someone sober who knows how to help if anything does go wrong

This is only a little bit of information check out Harm Reduction Victoria’s fact sheet or these videos from Global Drug Survey about GHB Golden Rules, GHB and staying safe.

Or there’s this article from ADF in collaboration with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander service providers that has more information about GHB.