GHB (gamma hydroxybutyrate) is a chemical that slows down messages between your brain and body. It can make you feel relaxed, turned on or confused.
GBL (gamma butyrolactone) and BD (1,4-butanediol) are similar chemicals. Your body converts them to GHB when you swallow them.
GHB, GBL and BD may all be called G.
G comes as:
- clear liquid in a small bottle
- powder - but this is rare
You swallow the liquid mixed with water or a soft drink. A dose that causes mild effects in some people can cause an overdose in other people.
It is very easy to overdose on G. G is very strong in small amounts. The difference between an amount that causes mild effects and a dangerous amount is less than 1 millilitre.
Drug category: depressant
Depressants slow down messages between your brain and body. They can make you feel relaxed and drowsy. They also affect your breathing, memory and coordination.
Other names for G
Other names include: 1,4-BD, GBH, gina, liquid E, liquid ecstasy, liquid X
Effects of G
The effects of G can vary depending on:
- your size, weight and sex
- if you have any health conditions or mental health difficulties
- how you take the drug
- the strength of the drug
- how much you take
- if you take alcohol, medicines or other drugs at the same time
- where you take the drug and how you feel before you take it
- if you have taken the drug before and how often
The effects can start after 20 minutes and can last up to 4 hours.
How you may feel or behave
You may feel:
- relaxed and calm
- intense wellbeing or happiness (euphoria)
- confident and social
- confused, anxious or paranoid
- aggressive
- affectionate or turned on
Effects on your brain and body
G can cause:
- drowsiness or dizziness
- nausea (feeling sick)
- vomiting (getting sick)
- muscle spasms or convulsions
- breathing problems
- lower inhibitions - you may do things you usually would not do
- increased sex drive or sexual arousal
- problems concentrating
- burns in your mouth or throat - if you do not mix it with another liquid
- problems controlling your body
- seizures (fits)
- hallucinations - you may see or hear things that are not there
- loss of consciousness or coma (going under) - this is a medical emergency
- overdose
G and sex
People may use G during sex or chemsex to:
- feel more pleasure
- lower inhibitions or feel more confident
- make sex last longer
- relax muscles for anal sex or fisting
G and mental health
G can cause mental health difficulties or make existing difficulties worse.
Regular use of G can lead to:
- anxiety
- depression
- mood swings or aggression
- paranoia
- thoughts of suicide
- psychosis - you have confused thoughts, feelings and behaviour and you do not know what is real or not real
G and dependency
G can quickly cause:
- tolerance - when you need to take more of the drug to get the same effects
- dependency
Signs of dependency can include:
- cravings for a drug
- withdrawal symptoms
- continuing to use a drug even when it causes you harm
You can still overdose on G if you have developed a tolerance or dependency.
It is not safe to suddenly stop taking G after regular use. This is because it can cause seizures or death.
If you want to stop, you can get support from:
- your GP or practice nurse
- a drug service
- our club drug clinic
Non-urgent advice: Drugs and alcohol helpline
You can contact the helpline for support, information or advice on treatment and support options.
Freephone: 1800 459 459
Monday to Friday, 9.30am to 5.30pm
Email: helpline@hse.ie
Withdrawal from G
Withdrawal symptoms from G can start 1 to 2 hours after your last dose.
Withdrawal symptoms include:
- anxiety or paranoia
- shaking
- problems sleeping
- nausea and vomiting
- sweating
- confusion or agitation
- feeling of skin crawling
- hallucinations - you may see, feel or hear things that are not there
- seizures (fits)
- psychosis
- increased heart rate and breathing rate
- fever
Withdrawal from G can be serious.
Get medical help if you have these symptoms. Do not suddenly stop taking G.
Emergency action required: Go to your nearest emergency department (ED) if
you have no G and you:
- take G often
- have symptoms of withdrawal
Tell the medics you take G. It is the safest thing to do.
How long does G stay in your system?
It can be hard to know how long G stays in your system.
There are tests to detect G. But different types of tests have different detection times.
Things that affect how long a drug stays in your system
The time it takes for a drug to leave your system depends on many things.
For example:
- how much you took
- how often you take the drug
- how strong the drug was
- your age, sex and metabolism
- your general health