What is GHB?
Gamma-Hydroxybutyrate (GHB) is a naturally occurring substance found in the body. In the past it was produced synthetically and used as a sleeping agent and an anaesthetic, but was withdrawn in most parts of the world due to unwanted side effects.
‘True’ GHB can be difficult to buy in Australia and is often substituted with gamma butyrolactone (GBL). GBL is found in a variety of industrial products and can be mixed with other more easily obtainable substances to make GHB. GBL will also metabolise into GHB when taken into the body on its own.
GHB can be found in the form of a white powder but more usually as a liquid, available in small vials, bottles or soy sauce fish containers. Originally it was available as a clear liquid, but in recent times it has been coloured by manufacturers to stop it being mistaken for water or other liquids.
Sometimes people are sold GHB as liquid ecstasy or liquid E. This is not true – GHB is a very different type of drug to ecstasy. Unlike ecstasy and amphetamines, GHB is not a stimulant. It is a depressant, slowing the user’s heart rate and breathing. If a person takes too much of this drug, or mixes it with another depressant such as alcohol, there is the possibility that they may become unconscious and stop breathing.
GHB users can never be sure of how much they are actually taking as ‘backyard batches’ of the drug vary in strength. Unfortunately a number of people have died after taking GHB in Australia.
Other names for GHB
GHB is also known as fantasy, liquid ecstasy, liquid E, liquid X, GBL, GBH and G.
How many Australians have used GHB?
Very few Australians have ever tried GHB. According to the most recent research, More than 99 per cent of the Australian population have never used GHB.
GHB tends to be taken by drug users who have been using drugs (e.g. ecstasy or methamphetamine) for some time. It is usually used in conjunction with other substances and as such it is very rare to find young Australians trying this drug.
How is GHB used?
GHB is sold as a liquid and is usually taken with another drink to disguise the unpleasant taste.
What are the short-term effects of GHB?
GHB affects different people in different ways. The effect can be influenced by many things including how much of the drug is taken, the environment it is used in, as well as the weight, size and mood of the person using it.
Short-term effects include:
- euphoria and a feeling of well-being
- aphrodisiac properties
- drowsiness
- nausea or vertigo
- respiratory distress
- seizures
- death, particularly when used with other drugs.
What are the long-term effects of GHB?
Like any drug, GHB will affect different people in different ways, and there is no way of knowing how the drug will affect the person using it in the long-term.
However, even less is known about the long-term effects of GHB than other drugs, as the drug has only been around for a very short time. There is some evidence that users can become dependent on the drug.
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