By GHB is a tricky drug, as it does not cause effects as visible or as strong as other psychoactive substances, but it causes overdoses very easily. Find out more in this text.
GHB is an illegal psychoactive substance that has become popular in recent decades, especially among teenagers and young adults. In the 1960s it was used as an anesthetic, but due to its side effects and low efficacy, it was no longer used. In 2002 it was included in the list of prohibited drugs.
Most people refer to it as “liquid ecstasy”; however, it has nothing to do with it. The analogy is based on some of its effects, not on its composition. While ecstasy is a powerful brain stimulant, GHB is a depressant.
However, in some countries, the latter is included in some medications for the treatment of narcolepsy , a disorder characterized by sudden attacks of sleep and severe daytime drowsiness. But in most countries, its use is illegal, in particular because it has been found to have harmful consequences for the brain.
Drugs can be a lot of fun, but in the end they make you see the most terrible and raw side of human beings.
GHB: What is it?
GHB or gamma-hydroxybutyric acid is a colorless, odorless liquid that is usually taken orally, almost always mixed with drinks (Le & Richards, 2022). It acts as a brain function depressant . This means that it decreases or blocks several brain functions.
Today, it is known that this substance is also produced by the body itself. It is present in the central nervous system and in organs such as the heart and kidneys. Apart from this, it is found that this drug is used illegally in gyms, since there is a myth that it activates the growth hormone and promotes muscle development, which is not true.
As a recreational psychoactive, it is usually offered in 10-milliliter ampoules. It is commonly consumed in nightclubs and rave parties , and seems to be associated with spaces where techno music is played . It is absorbed immediately through the gastrointestinal tract and is not evident in urine or blood toxicology tests.
The consequences of GHB on the brain
Under certain circumstances, the drug alters the microstructure of the brain. A study published in Frontiers in Psychiatry found that comas induced by its use were associated with changes in white matter and increased impulsivity. These are common comas in chronic users and tend to be brief but profound.
On the other hand, an article from NeuroImage Clinical , suggests that coma states induced by this element change the cortical function associated with working memory,
Increased activity was also observed in the dorsolateral region of the prefrontal cortex. According to the researchers, such an increase is a way of compensating for and maintaining the altered performance of the neuronal processing of working memory.
Following the same line of exploration into comatose effects, in 2018 Raposo Pereira and his team made new findings on long-term memory and brain function. The experts noted the following in comas induced by this substance:
- They affect performance on verbal memory tests.
- They are linked to alterations in long-term memory.
- They are associated with lower hippocampal activity in memory tasks.
- They are related to the reduction of activity of the lingual gyrus in memory exercises.
Gamma-hydroxybutyric acid and induced comas not only impair memory and activity in certain regions of the cortex, but also alter affect. A study published in European Addiction Research points out that these people have higher levels of depression, anxiety and stress.
In general, chronic consumption of “liquid ecstasy” worsens mental, physical and sexual health, generates social dysfunction and poor work performance (Tay et al. , 2022).
The effects of “liquid ecstasy”
The drug in question causes effects similar to those of alcohol , when used in low doses. In particular, it causes a feeling of relaxation, disinhibition and elevation of mood. All in all, this enhances sociability.
Higher consumption may cause problems such as drowsiness, nausea, vomiting and loss of consciousness. In the long term, it affects memory and causes depressive moods.
A very problematic aspect of it is that it is often combined with other psychoactive substances, such as alcohol or marijuana; this enhances its effects, even leading to an overdose. The same occurs if it is mixed with opiates or benzodiazepines. In these cases it tends to trigger the following symptoms:
- tremors,
- headache,
- urinary incontinence,
- breathing difficulties.
According to the European Drug Report, it is estimated that 11% of people who come to emergency services for drug poisoning have consumed “liquid ecstasy”. It is also known that cases of overdose linked to this are increasing . In addition to comas, overdoses can cause death.
A dangerous drug
The effects of this drug occur within 15 to 20 minutes after consumption, says the Alcohol and Drug Foundation . The sensations last between 60 and 90 minutes and disappear completely 3 to 4 hours later.
If used too frequently, gamma-hydroxybutyric acid can cause dependence and addiction, according to Substance Abuse and Rehabilitation . The clinical picture of withdrawal symptoms is similar to that caused by cessation of alcohol consumption.
The safety margin of “liquid ecstasy” is smaller than that of other drugs . This means that only a small increase in the consumption of this substance leads to very high effects. In other words, the difference between the recreational dose and the toxic dose is minimal. This is why this psychoactive substance is classified as a dangerous drug.
Another worrying aspect of this psychoactive substance is that in recent years it has been used for criminal purposes. Victims are offered “liquid ecstasy” mixed with alcohol, to provoke chemical submission, that is, loss of will induced by consumption.
Once this is done, sexual or other forms of abuse are perpetrated. It is therefore important to be very careful about the drinks offered in nightclubs or similar places.
Conclusion
GHB is a dangerous drug that acts as a central nervous system depressant. Although it causes feelings of relaxation and sociability, its chronic use has serious consequences for mental, physical and sexual health, impairs memory and increases depression, stress and anxiety.
Furthermore, its misuse leads to loss of consciousness and, in extreme cases, coma and death . It is crucial that society is informed about the dangers of “liquid ecstasy” and that measures are taken to prevent its recreational use.