Depressants affect the parts of the nervous system responsible for breathing, and an overdose or combination of these substances can result in fatal levels of respiratory depression. Death may also occur when a victim falls into deep enough unconsciousness to aspirate on their own vomit. Lying in the recovery position can prevent one from suffocating on their own vomit. GHB was developed in the USA as a pre-medication to help patients sleep before surgery. Some people who use the drug illicitly do so not for the euphoric effects, but rather use higher doses to help them sleep.
Where To Buy Gamma Butyrolactone (GBL)?
GBL and Alcohol or Benzodiazepines greatly increase the chance of GBL drug overdose. Taking GBL along with alcohol might greatly increase sleepiness and drowsiness caused by alcohol. Be careful not to confuse GBL with gamma-hydroxybutyrate (GHB) or butanediol 1. Both drugs are often used recreationally in club settings to achieve a euphoric, disinhibiting effect and by bodybuilders to promote growth hormone production. The levels of lactonase enzyme can vary between individuals, meaning that first-time users can show unpredictable results, even from small doses. In many this manifests as slow onset of effects, followed by headaches, semi-consciousness which is distinct from GBL sleep in normal users.
How Can You Be Safer When Using GHB/GBL/1,4-BD?
The sedative properties of GHB and its related compounds, as well as their neutral odour and taste have led some to link the drugs to instances of drug-facilitated sexual assault, although the extent of the drugs’ use in these crimes remains unclear. A 2006 study by the Association of Chief Police Officers (ACPO) found that of 120 instances of alleged drug-facilitated sexual assault, only two victims had tested positive for GHB. If you or a loved one are struggling with long-term drug abuse and a co-occurring mental health condition such as depression, contact one of our helpful treatment specialists today. We Level Up can provide information on dual diagnosis and detox programs that may fit your specific needs.
GBL is also used to treat narcolepsy and enuresis and to reduce muscular spasms. It has also been used in the treatment of alcohol and opiate addiction. One publication investigated 226 deaths attributed to GHB.19 Seventy-one deaths (34%) were caused by GHB alone while the other deaths were from respiratory depression caused by interaction with alcohol or other drugs. Over time, the concentration of GHB in the system decreases below the threshold for significant GABAB receptor activation and activates predominantly the GHB receptor, leading to wakefulness. Gamma-Hydroxybutyric acid (also known as and 4-hydroxybutanoic acid and GHB) is a depressant substance.
Alcohol (Ethanol) Interacts With GAMMA BUTYROLACTONE (GBL)
- Over time, the concentration of GHB in the system decreases below the threshold for significant GABAB receptor activation and activates predominantly the GHB receptor, leading to wakefulness.
- GHB and GBL both produce the same effects, which can be similar to the effects produced by alcohol.
- Conversely, the term chemsex is more common in Europe.10 In certain Southeast Asian countries, it is commonly known as “chem fun” (CF or Cf).
- 1,4-Butanediol is classified as a subclass of alcoholic compounds called diols.
- GBL has reportedly been used as date rape drug (as a legal alternative to GHB), in which it is secretly put dropwise into drinks but there is little evidence to support it being widespread, especially compared to alcohol due to its strong taste.
- Both of the metabolic breakdown pathways shown for GHB can run in either direction, depending on the concentrations of the substances involved, so the body can make its own GHB either from GABA or from succinic semialdehyde.
If you are considering using GBL, speaking with a qualified healthcare professional to ensure it is safe and appropriate for your circumstance is essential. Additionally, if you have a history of addiction or mental illness, seeking treatment before using GBL is essential. Other side effects of GBL include nausea, headache, blurred vision, rapid heart rate, and increased blood pressure. In addition, long-term abuse of GBL can lead to severe psychological and physical problems. This can include depression, anxiety, paranoia, and even psychotic episodes. It is formed from the condensation of 1,4-butanediol with acetaldehyde.
Industrial Use
If you have been given these drugs without your knowing and are expecting a drug test for work or court, you can speak to a medical professional or Police about your next steps. GHB and GBL are usually tested for using hair, urine, saliva (spit) or blood. However, these drugs may not be tested for often as they can only be picked up on in a very short window (1–2 days) and can be unreliable.
GBL (gama-butyrolaktón) – Častá Náhrada GHB
It is also used in the food industry as an extractant for flavors and fragrances, a solvent for dyes, and a chemical agent. GBL is used in the production of polymers, plastics, and resins, as well as in the production of pharmaceuticals and cosmetics. GHB presents cross-tolerance with 1,4-Butanediol and GBL, since these act as prodrugs for GHB. Cross-tolerance with alcohol and baclofen has been shown in rats,3536 and is likely with other GABAB-agonists.
What Happens If You Have Too Much GHB/GBL/1,4-BD?
GBL is a highly toxic chemical and can cause serious health problems if ingested. Therefore, it is best to keep GBL away from areas where children and pets can access it. Finding reliable suppliers can be difficult, but there are a variety of ways to locate suppliers.
Auditory Effects
Drinking GHB or GBL on its own would lead to chemical burns in your mouth and throat. Because of this, people take GHB and GBL orally by using a pipette, syringe or pre-measured vial to measure the dose and then mix it into a soft drink. GHB can be manufactured with little knowledge of chemistry by mixing another drug, GBL, with an alkali hydroxide such as sodium hydroxide, to form the GHB salt. Due to the ease of manufacture and the availability of its precursors, it is not usually produced in illicit laboratories like other synthetic drugs, but in private homes by low-level producers38 or GBL is simply consumed directly. GBL (Gamma butyrolactone) and 1,4-BD (1,4-butanediol) are chemicals that are closely related to GHB.
Gamma-butyrolactone
Taking GBL along with medications used to prevent seizures might decrease the effects of these medications and increase the risk of seizures. Some medications used to prevent seizures include phenobarbital, primidone (Mysoline), valproic acid (Depakene), gabapentin (Neurontin), carbamazepine (Tegretol), phenytoin (Dilantin), and others. The combination of GBL and amphetamines place enormous strain on the body and increases the risk of seizure. Using GBL to help with the comedown of stimulants may lead to a cycle of dependence on both drugs. Taking GBL along with amphetamines can lead to serious side effects.
GBL can be easily synthesized into GHB simply by changing the pH level by adding an alkali such as sodium hydroxide. Recipes for this process are widely available on the Internet, and some sites will not only identify the materials needed but sell them, too. GBL currently represents a growing public health issue since the substance is relatively cheaper and easier to obtain than GHB.
GHB and GBL are sometimes referred to as G, Liquid Ecstasy, Liquid X, Juice or Geebs. When taken in large doses, GBL can cause various side effects, including dizziness, drowsiness, confusion, difficulty breathing, vomiting, agitation, and in severe cases, coma and even death. Additionally, if abruptly stopped, GBL can cause physical dependency and addiction and lead to withdrawal symptoms.
GBL is a liquid compound that serves as an intermediate when making pyrrolidones, industrial chemicals that are in wide use. GBL (gamma-butyrolactone) is a ‘pro-drug’ of GHB, which means that it converts to GHB within the body. GBL occurs naturally in certain food products, is found in small quantities in the human body and is available commercially as an industrial solvent and as an ingredient in cleaners, paint removers and engine degreasers 1 . GHB is a drug which is available as sodium oxybate (or under the brand name Xyrem) as a treatment for narcolepsy in adult patients 3 and has been used therapeutically in the treatment of alcohol and opiate dependency1,2. GHB was developed in the early 60s as a human anaesthetic 2a, but was discontinued due to unwanted side effects. It was used as a sleep aid and body building supplement in the 80s and later as a recreational psychoactive 2b.
