Drug info - What is GHB?

[DoALineWithMe]

so swim has come across the term GHB and researched it as much as swim could, but swim is still kinda confused, swim has a few questions about it, most important what are its side effects? does it come in pill or something you can get otc at walgreens or your local pharmacy? or is swim gonna have to call his local street pharmicist?

[MrG]

Gamma-Hydroxybutyrate (GHB) is usually prescribed under the name Xyrem. It is a dilute liquid of NaGHB (Sodium Gamma-Hydroxybutyrate).

In order to be prescribed Xyrem in the US one would need to be a registered Narcoleptic patient who also suffers from daytime cataplexy. One would also need their doctor to jump through some fiery hoops in order to negotiate the ridiculous prescription protocol they have for it too as GHB has the dubious honour of being the only controlled pharmacological substance that is both Schedule I and Schedule III.

Xyrem greatly enhances the patients' sleep cycle in order to eliminate the frequent daytime cataplexy attacks.

Despite the US government's best efforts, Xyrem is also showing very promising results in off-label research (Fibromyalgia, Alcoholism, Cocaine addiction)

The street version of GHB can be called many things and the media often give it the most ridiculous monikers, the proper terms are simply GHB or G. The problem with illicit GHB, as with all illicit drugs, is that one does not know the quality of the product being purchased.

Some people choose to convert Gamma-Butyrolactone (GBL) into GHB through a fairly simple process. GBL is a commonly used industrial chemical (A Lactone) which is scheduled in many countries but, currently, unscheduled in many more too.

GBL itself is also known to be taken in very very small doses (+-1ml) diluted in a large glass of water due to its foul taste, as it will convert in-vivo to GHB but this does cause a body-load whereas NaGHB does not.

As for having researched it as much as SWIY should, I would suggest reading as many threads in this forum as possible.

Reputation Comments on this post:

whay is the sky blue? whats the meaning of life? whats 2 + 3? next time just give them a link to www.justfuckinggoogle...

[lovejoy]

Originally Posted by MrG

it will convert in-vivo to GHB but this does cause a body-load whereas NaGHB does not.

Mr G - I have seen you use the expression "body load" a couple of times - could you explain this to me?

thanks

[MrG]

Certainly, when discussing a drug's mode of action, one refers to the work done by the body to, firstly, absorb the substance, secondly, process it and then, finally, eliminate it.

E.G. NaGHB is the salt of GHB and is absorbed into the bloodstream through the gut and passes through the BBB (Blood/Brain Barrier) into the brain where is can directly affect the GHB and GABAgenic systems. It breaks down into CO2 and H2O and is eliminated from the body easily.

NaGHB has a negligable body load, with the sodium being the only thing that the body has to actually do much work with.

[lovejoy]

Thanks Mr G, So in your opinion is it really worth making the conversion from GBL to GBH if you are a regular user (10 times a a month - about 5ml each time)?

[MrG]

As I have mentioned previously, there can be found reams and reams of valid, research data to support the efficacy of GHB in humans as well as studies into long term use and polydrug use. Its mode of action is becoming more widely understood and this is opening up new avenues in off-label research for a number of conditions where, either through its mode of action or simply through the establishment of a quality sleep cycle, it can be utilised as a safe, pharmacological agent.

GBL, however, is an industrial chemical with very little study of ingestion by humans other than the usual toxicology tests. Yes it is converted in-vivo to GHB but that in no way means that it can be viewed as having the same attributes when it comes to recreational/regular use.

Gather what you will from that.

[lovejoy]

Originally Posted by MrG

Gather what you will from that.

Thanks Mr G

PS I saw you on the telly the other day for the first time in years on a Dutch cable channel, finishing off a lovely painting.

[MrG]

[offtopic]
It always amuses me that in the Sky TV program guide, due to the visible character limit for the timeslot, the series is listed as "The Joy of Pain"
[/offtopic]