Gamma Hydroxybutyric Acid GHB

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Gamma Hydroxybutyric AcidGHB

• Rich Doyle
• 3-5-09
• Health Ed. I

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What is GHB?

• Made From gamma butyrolactone (GBL) and Sodium
  Hydroxide or Potassium Hydroxide
• GBL is a common solvent and reagent in chemistry
  and is used as an aroma compound, as a stain
  remover, as a superglue remover, as a paint
  stripper

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What is GHB?

• GHB is a central nervous system depressant that
  is colorless, tasteless and odorless. It is known
  as one of the 'Date Rape Drugs'. It can be
  produced in clear liquid, white powder, tablet
  and capsule forms.

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How does it make you feel?

• intoxication, difficulty concentrating
• increased energy,
• happiness,
• talking, desire to socialize,
• feeling affectionate and playful,
• sensuality, enhanced sexual experience,
• muscle relaxation,
• loss of coordination due to loss of muscle tone,
  loss of gag reflex
• nausea

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Side effects of GHB?

• nausea, vomiting
• headaches, drowsiness, dizziness, amnesia
• loss of muscle control
• respiratory problems
• loss of consciousness, being conscious but unable
  to move
• sedation, desire to sleep
• rambling incoherent speech, slurred speech
• giddiness, silliness
• difficulty thinking
• passing out, and death - especially when combined
  with alcohol or other drugs

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GHB

• Availability
• Scandalously, sale or possession of GHB is now
  illegal in all 50 states. It is currently a
  "Schedule I" drug -- meaning it has no legitimate
  medical uses, despite over thirty years of use in
  Europe in everything from drug addiction
  treatment to childbirth.

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Where is GHB used?

• Club scene or "rave"
• Since the 1970s club scene, club-goers have used
  a range of drugs to enhance their experience on
  the dance floor. GHB is taken because users feel
  that it enhances the experience of being in a
  club or at a party GHB is sometimes referred to
  as liquid ecstasy or liquid X due to its tendency
  to produce euphoria and sociability and its use
  in the dance party scene.

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Where is GHB used?

• Date rape
• The drug has been identified as a date rape drug.
  It has a slight salty taste, but as it is
  colorless and odorless, it has been described as
  "very easy to add to drinks" that mask the
  flavor. GHB has been used in cases of
  drug-related sexual assault, usually when the
  victim is vulnerable due to intoxication with a
  sedative, generally alcohol and now the victim is
  less likely to taste the drug or feel
  uncomfortable taking a drink from a stranger.

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Where is GHB used?

• Bodybuilding
• During the 80's, GHB, which was readily available
  over the counter in nutrition stores, enjoyed
  widespread popularity among bodybuilders for its
  ability to stimulate growth hormone (HGH) release
  (as well as its euphoric properties.)

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Sources

• http//www.usdoj.gov/dea/concern/ghb_fact/heet.htm
  l
• http//www.projectghb.org/what_is_ghb.htm
• http//www.bodybuilding.com/fun/par3.htm
• http//www.dps.state.ia.us/DNE/images/ghb2.jpg
• http//www.suchthh.de/pics/xtc/ghb.gif