Pharmacology - GHB Actions

[underworldmagic]

Hi all,

Im a student currently studying Forensic Science, and ive been given a question on GHB in my Toxicology module, and was hoping you guys could help me out.

The question is to state the
(1) Symptoms that would be observed in a patient who is alive
(2) Chemical, physical or biological nature
(3) mode of action (specific or non specific)

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(1) I understand that the symptoms in a person are dose dependent
(2) Im not too sure about this one, i understand that GHB acts as an inhibitory neurotransmitter that interacts with the brain receptor for the inhibitory neurotransmitter gamma-aminobutyric (GABA). On the other hand
GHB is known to increase growth hormone, hence its use in bodybuilding. In a normal human dopamine activity in the hypothalamus stimulates pituitary release of growth hormone. It is stated that GBH inhibits dopamine release at the same time that it stimulates GH release - Therefore the actions by GBH to increase growth hormone levels are by a different mechanism. GHB is not specific to the GABA receptor.

- is anyone able to tell me in what other ways GHB acts in the body?
The reason GHB incudes sleep is due to the inhibitory action of dopamine, but what action makes grown hormone increase?

Thanks.