GHB or Gamma-Hydroxybutyrate
Common street terms: Circles, Date Rape Drug, Forget Pill, Forget-Me Pill, La Rocha, Lunch Money, Mexican Valium, Mind Eraser, Pingus, R2, Reynolds, Rib, Roach, Roach 2, Roaches, Roaches, Roapies, Rochas Dos, Roofies, Rope, Rophies Row-Shay, Ruffies Trip-and-Fall Wolfies
How do you define GHB?
GHB, also known as Gamma Hydroxybutyrate (C4H8O3) can be described as a central nervous systems (CNS) depressant. It is often referred to as a "club substance" also known as "date sexual rape" drug. GHB is used by teenagers and young adults in clubs, bars, parties as well as "raves" (all dancing at night events) and is frequently included in alcohol-based drinks. Increased sex drive, euphoria, and a sense of calm are the most commonly acknowledged positive outcomes of GHB usage. The negative effects can include sweating as well as loss of consciousness, hallucinations, nausea, amnesia, and coma, in addition to other effects.
Xyrem (sodium Oxbate) is a brand-name prescription drug, was authorized by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in 2002 to aid in the treatment of narcolepsy, which is a sleep disorder that can cause an excessive amount of sleepiness as well as frequent morning sleep attacks. This is the sodium salt from gamma-hydroxybutyrate. Xyrem is a tightly controlled medication within the U.S. It is classified as a Schedule III controlled substance, and patients must be registered in access restricted program.
The GHB compound is also a natural component of the inhibitory neurotransmitter gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) that is found within the cerebral cortex. The naturally occurring metabolite GHB is present in smaller amounts within the human brain than the levels that are found in the case of abuse. Because of the process of fermentation, the natural GHB is also found in tiny, but not significant amounts in a few wines and beers.
Methods to Abuse GHB
GHB is a non-odorous, colorless substance that can be mixed with alcohol, and then given to innocent victims in the wake of sexual assaults. It could possess a salty or soapy taste. Sexual assaults have led to GHB being called a "date sexual assault" drug. The victims become incapacitated because of the effects of sedation from GHB and cannot stop sexual assault. GHB can also cause amnesia in the victim. The most frequent user groups are college and high school students and attendees of rave parties who consume GHB due to its intoxicating effects.
GHB is also believed to cause anabolic effects because of protein synthesis. It's been utilized by bodybuilders for the development of muscle and to reduce fat.
GHB can be purchased on street or via the Internet in liquid form, or in the form of a powdered white substance to be used in a shady manner. It is consumed by mouth and is often combined with alcohol. The majority of GHB available on the streets or the Internet is made in labs that are illegal. GHB could be contaminated with unknown chemicals that could make it more toxic. The process of making GHB generally is done using drain cleaner or lye that is in combination with GBL, which is a chemical cousin to GHB as well as an industrial solvent commonly employed to strip floors.
In the year 1990 in 1990, in 1990, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) issued an advisory declaring the use of GHB unsafe and illegal, except for approved, doctor-supervised protocols by the FDA. On March 20, 2000, GHB has been added to Schedule I of the Controlled Substances Act.
This sodium-based salt from GHB, the trademark product Xyrem (Sodium Oxybate) is classified as a Schedule III drug by the DEA when it is prescribed and utilized legally under a restricted-access patient program for patients. The drug is not available in the usual retail pharmacies. If Xyrem is sold as a drug for recreational use, its status changes in Schedule I and it becomes an illegal drug.
Pharmacology
GHB works on two receptors in the brain, GABAB, and the specific GHB receptors. The action at these two receptor sites results in CNS stimulants, depressants, and psychomotor impairments induced by GHB.
About 90% of GHB is metabolized by the liver. Its half-life spans between 30 and 60 minutes. Five percent of the drug's parent substance is eliminated through the kidneys. The detection of GHB in urine can be challenging after 24 hours because of its very short half-life.
Health hazards resulting from GHB use
Increased sex drive, Euphoria, and a sense of calm are the most commonly known beneficial effects of GHB use. However, the immediate negative consequences of GHB usage could include:
- sweating
- loss of consciousness
- nausea
- auditory hallucinations and visual hallucinations
- headaches
- vomiting
- exhaustion
- slowness
- amnesia
- confusion
- clumsiness
GHB has a high possibility when used frequently. The withdrawal effects could include anxiety, insomnia as well as sweating, tremors, and tremors. It can be a severe withdrawal that is can be complete incapacitation.
When combined with alcohol, other hypnotics or sedatives (such as benzodiazepines or barbiturates), as well as other medications which have CNS depression, can cause nausea, vomiting, and aspiration. These can be very dangerous CNS as well as respiration (breathing) depression.
A high dose of GHB regardless of alcohol or other illegal substances could cause profound seizures, sedation or severe respiratory depression, and even death. Emergencies involving club drug use typically require the use of multiple substances, like cocaine, marijuana, as well as other drugs used in clubs, like methamphetamine Ecstasy, or Rohypnol.
Emergency room doctors might not be aware that GHB is being abused in the event that a patient comes to the hospital. Due to the limited duration of the drug's half-life, finding it in urine could be difficult. Care for the patient and keeping the breathing channels open are the most important steps to take in a crisis overdose.
GHB Use in Pregnancy
The effects of GHB use during human pregnancy aren't known. Women should not take GHB in pregnancy. Women who are pregnant, or who are thinking about becoming pregnant, and who take GHB should seek immediate guidance from a healthcare doctor.
Treatment Options for GHB Abuse
There isn't much information available about the treatment options available to those who are addicted to any substance, such as GHB. Certain users of GHB aren't physically dependent on it and may be treated and informed on the basis of an outpatient. A long-term usage can result in severe withdrawal symptoms after detoxification. Close medical supervision and support are needed for these patients. The length of hospitalization can range between 7 and 14 days.
The withdrawal effects are described as intense and patients are able to self-detoxify with benzodiazepines and/or alcohol. Utilizing these substances in conjunction with alcohol can cause withdrawal to become more severe and can result in the respiratory system becoming depressed, and even coma or death. The use of benzodiazepines, antihypertensive drugs, and/or anticonvulsants might be necessary for detoxification and only under the supervision of a medical professional.
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