Template:GHB background
Background
- Abbreviation: GHB
- Frequently referred to as the "date rape drug"
- Central nervous system depressant
- GABA-B agonist (as opposed to GABA-A agonists - alcohol, benzodiazepines, etc)
- Abused for:
- Body building or sleep enhancement
- euphoric, sexual, stimulant, and relaxant effects
- Surreptitious drugging to facilitate sexual assault
- Also used therapeutically in the treatment of narcolepsy[1]
Pharmacokinetics
- Effects start in 15-20 minutes, peak in 30-60 minutes,
- Lipid soluble, readily crosses the blood brain barrier
- Elimination is dose-dependent; half-life of 20-50 minutes
- The duration of GHB's clinical effects depends upon the dose, and ranges from 2.5-4 hours
Pharmacology
- Is a metabolite and precursor of GABA
- Interacts with GHB-specific receptors and also acts as a direct agonist of GABA-B receptors
- Affects multiple neurotransmitter systems, including those of opioids, dopamine, serotonin, glutamate, and acetylcholine
- Gamma butyrolactone (GBL) and 1,4 butanediol (BD) are GHB analogs that are rapidly metabolized to GHB after ingestion, with the same toxic and recreational effects
- ↑ Mamelak M, Scharf MB, Woods M. Treatment of narcolepsy with gamma-hydroxybutyrate. A review of clinical and sleep laboratory findings. Sleep. 1986;9(1 Pt 2):285-289. doi:10.1093/sleep/9.1.285