GHB
Effects
DURATION #
Caution : Reactions and experiences may vary dramatically from person to person. [see below]
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EFFECTS LIST #
There is currently no Effects List for this substance.
DESCRIPTION #
GHB (gamma-hydroxy butyrate) is an intoxicating chemical with medical, recreational, and potentially entheogenic uses. GHB affects the release of dopamine in the brain, usually causing effects ranging from relaxation to sleep at low doses. Overall, the effect characterization is extremely similar to alcohol, with the duration slightly longer, the hangover effects (for most people) slightly less, and the unpleasant and dangerous overdose effect of possibly causing temporarily unrousable sleep (coma) at doses just over those that some people enjoy ingesting.
The effects of GHB are heavily affected by one's body weight, interactions with other chemicals, and one's individual reaction. Some people find GHB to be useful for treating insomnia, others use it as part of the process of breaking alcohol addiction, some find it a pleasant alcohol replacement. Many people who try GHB don't like its somewhat drowsy, slightly dizzy, alcohol-like character.
Warning : GHB use can be extremely dangerous. Please read the warnings on the GHB Health Page GHB normally tastes very salty and most like baking soda. Improperly manufactured GHB can also contain contaminants which may be toxic and add a slightly more 'chemical' or 'caustic' flavor to the material. Be safe. Know your source.
Setting GHB dosage is sometimes tricky and improper dosage can have unpleasant, unhealthy, and monetarily costly side effects. See the dosage page for more information.
Low Dose:
A low dose of GHB (usually from .5 to 1.5 grams) often causes effects similar to those of 1-3 drinks of alcohol. Users can feel a mild relaxation, increased sociability, slightly decreased motor skills, sometimes mild dizziness, and other effects similar to mild alcohol intoxication. Even at low doses it is improper and dangerous for GHB users to drive or operate heavy machinery.
Medium Dose:
A medium dose of GHB (usually from 1 to 2.5 grams) increases the relaxing effects and the physical disequilibrium experienced. Some people report an increased appreciation for music, dancing, or talking. Many people report positive mood changes. Some slurring of speech, silliness, and slight incoherency are also common. Others report increased feelings of nausea and grogginess. Some users of GHB report pro-sexual effects: an increase in tactile sensitivity, relaxation, increased male erectile capacity, and heightened experience of orgasm. Some women report that GHB makes orgasms harder to achieve.
Heavy Dose:
A heavy dose of GHB (from 2.5 + grams) can increase feelings of disequilibrium in many people to point of feeling quite ill. Many people accidentally move from Medium Dose to Over Dose, only passing through Heavy Dose for a few minutes. One reason that GHB has gained notoriety as a Club Drug is that some people experience extremely positive feelings on Heavy Doses of GHB. Reports of euphoria, feeling music deeply, joyous dancing, and other very positive effects are common among aficionados. People who report these effects also describe how difficult finding one's personal dose range can be to achieve these effects. An extra quarter (.25) gram can be the difference between euphoria and vomiting.
Overdose:
The Overdose range for GHB can be as little as 2 grams, based on body weight and individual sensitivity. One major problem with GHB as an underground recreational substance is that it has a sharp dose-response curve, which can be difficult to manage with the various non-standard preparations available to the uninformed buyer. Another major problem is that uninformed users often mix GHB with alcohol, which drastically increases the chance of vomiting and unconsciousness. An overdose can consist of mild to extreme nausea and dizziness, and vomiting. It can also be characterized by a strong drowsy feeling followed by an temporarily unrouseable sleep (sometimes characterized as a type of coma) for 1-4 hours. Some Overdoses of GHB mix vomiting with unconsciousness which is an extremely dangerous combination for obvious reasons. When using GHB (or any substance), it is important to remember to let someone who is with you know what you're doing, so if you experience Overdose effects, they can react appropriately and let any health professionals who become involved know what substance was involved.
Poisoning:
We're defining a level dosage above Overdose in order to highlight the effects of extreme overdoses. While many Overdoses consist mainly of heavy sleep, some are life-threatening. GHB Poisonings are characterized by very low breathing, convulsions or twitching, vomiting, complete non-responsive even to 'deep pain', fixed pupils, etc. GHB poisoning victims should receive medical care immediately.
After Effects:
Some people feel drowsy, sleepy, or groggy after the effects wear off or the next day after ingestion. The hangover from low and medium doses of GHB is usually mild or non-existent, although some people report feeling slightly 'fuzzy headed' the next day. Some people also report feeling refreshed, happier, and more alert the day after use. For some people, using GHB more than once a week causes significantly increased negative after effects.
See GHB Overdoses & Poisonings for a description of overdose effects.
The effects of GHB are heavily affected by one's body weight, interactions with other chemicals, and one's individual reaction. Some people find GHB to be useful for treating insomnia, others use it as part of the process of breaking alcohol addiction, some find it a pleasant alcohol replacement. Many people who try GHB don't like its somewhat drowsy, slightly dizzy, alcohol-like character.
Warning : GHB use can be extremely dangerous. Please read the warnings on the GHB Health Page GHB normally tastes very salty and most like baking soda. Improperly manufactured GHB can also contain contaminants which may be toxic and add a slightly more 'chemical' or 'caustic' flavor to the material. Be safe. Know your source.
Setting GHB dosage is sometimes tricky and improper dosage can have unpleasant, unhealthy, and monetarily costly side effects. See the dosage page for more information.
Low Dose:
A low dose of GHB (usually from .5 to 1.5 grams) often causes effects similar to those of 1-3 drinks of alcohol. Users can feel a mild relaxation, increased sociability, slightly decreased motor skills, sometimes mild dizziness, and other effects similar to mild alcohol intoxication. Even at low doses it is improper and dangerous for GHB users to drive or operate heavy machinery.
Medium Dose:
A medium dose of GHB (usually from 1 to 2.5 grams) increases the relaxing effects and the physical disequilibrium experienced. Some people report an increased appreciation for music, dancing, or talking. Many people report positive mood changes. Some slurring of speech, silliness, and slight incoherency are also common. Others report increased feelings of nausea and grogginess. Some users of GHB report pro-sexual effects: an increase in tactile sensitivity, relaxation, increased male erectile capacity, and heightened experience of orgasm. Some women report that GHB makes orgasms harder to achieve.
Heavy Dose:
A heavy dose of GHB (from 2.5 + grams) can increase feelings of disequilibrium in many people to point of feeling quite ill. Many people accidentally move from Medium Dose to Over Dose, only passing through Heavy Dose for a few minutes. One reason that GHB has gained notoriety as a Club Drug is that some people experience extremely positive feelings on Heavy Doses of GHB. Reports of euphoria, feeling music deeply, joyous dancing, and other very positive effects are common among aficionados. People who report these effects also describe how difficult finding one's personal dose range can be to achieve these effects. An extra quarter (.25) gram can be the difference between euphoria and vomiting.
Overdose:
The Overdose range for GHB can be as little as 2 grams, based on body weight and individual sensitivity. One major problem with GHB as an underground recreational substance is that it has a sharp dose-response curve, which can be difficult to manage with the various non-standard preparations available to the uninformed buyer. Another major problem is that uninformed users often mix GHB with alcohol, which drastically increases the chance of vomiting and unconsciousness. An overdose can consist of mild to extreme nausea and dizziness, and vomiting. It can also be characterized by a strong drowsy feeling followed by an temporarily unrouseable sleep (sometimes characterized as a type of coma) for 1-4 hours. Some Overdoses of GHB mix vomiting with unconsciousness which is an extremely dangerous combination for obvious reasons. When using GHB (or any substance), it is important to remember to let someone who is with you know what you're doing, so if you experience Overdose effects, they can react appropriately and let any health professionals who become involved know what substance was involved.
Poisoning:
We're defining a level dosage above Overdose in order to highlight the effects of extreme overdoses. While many Overdoses consist mainly of heavy sleep, some are life-threatening. GHB Poisonings are characterized by very low breathing, convulsions or twitching, vomiting, complete non-responsive even to 'deep pain', fixed pupils, etc. GHB poisoning victims should receive medical care immediately.
After Effects:
Some people feel drowsy, sleepy, or groggy after the effects wear off or the next day after ingestion. The hangover from low and medium doses of GHB is usually mild or non-existent, although some people report feeling slightly 'fuzzy headed' the next day. Some people also report feeling refreshed, happier, and more alert the day after use. For some people, using GHB more than once a week causes significantly increased negative after effects.
See GHB Overdoses & Poisonings for a description of overdose effects.
CAUTION & DISCLAIMER #
Erowid's effects information is a summary of data gathered from users, research, and other resources. This information is intended to describe the range of effects people report experiencing. Effects may vary dramatically from one person to another or one experience to another based on a variety of factors such as body chemistry, age, gender, physical health, dose, form of material, etc.