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admin · Posted: Fri Oct 06, 2006 12:24 pm Post subject: What Is It?

GHB or as it is often known 'GBH' has an anaesthetic effect. Its chemical name is Gamma Hydroxybutyrate. It's usually seen as a colourless, odourless, salty-tasting liquid.

Medicinal uses

GHB has been used in Europe as a general anesthetic, a treatment for insomnia and narcolepsy (a daytime sleeping disorder), an aid to childbirth (increasing strength of contractions, decreasing pain and increasing dilation of the cervix) and a treatment for alcoholism and alcohol withdrawal syndrome.
Prior to 1990 GHB was available as an over-the-counter pill or powder in the USA, sold mostly in health food stores. It was banned as such in 1990 by the FDA because of deaths or serious illnesses related to its use and is now illegal for any person to produce or sell GHB in the USA.
GHB is not prescribed or made available in the UK because of its side effects.

How does it work?

GHB is found naturally in every cell in the human body. Some scientists believe it acts as a neurotransmitter, although the jury is still out on this. It is very similar to another natural chemical in our brains called Gamma Amino Butyric Acid, or GABA. GABA is a neurotransmitter in our brain that slows down or inhibits certain activities. GHB is thought to act like GABA, perhaps indirectly affecting the same receptors.

Abuse of GHB

GHB is easily made from fairly common chemicals and it's often manufactured in 'kitchen-sink laboratories'. As such, the potency varies, since it will be home made to various strengths. It's sometimes available as a powder or in a capsule, but most commonly seen as a liquid. In this form, GHB is sold in small bottles (30-40ml) which would be enough for about two or three doses. Bottles cost between 10 and fifteen pounds sterling. It is usually drunk although rarely it is injected.