GBL is a highly potent chemical; even small doses can be harmful. It can cause dizziness, nausea, vomiting, confusion, and loss of consciousness. It is also highly addictive, and long-term users may suffer from withdrawal symptoms such as anxiety, depression, and cravings. People are most likely to vomit as they become unconscious, and as they wake up.
News Zum Thema GHB GBL
If you don’t measure the dosage, you’re likely to overdose and fall unconscious. This is because there’s only a very small difference between the dose causing the desired effects and the dose leading to severe overdose. In Hong Kong, GHB is regulated under Schedule 1 of Hong Kong’s Chapter 134 Dangerous Drugs Ordinance. It can only be used legally by health professionals and for university research purposes.
Saquinavir (Fortovase, Invirase) Interacts With GAMMA BUTYROLACTONE (GBL)

Lipase is an enzyme that catalyzes the breakdown of fats and oils to produce glycerol and free fatty acids. When GBL is synthesized through a lipase reaction, the enzyme catalyzes the reaction between 4-HB and an alcohol such as ethanol. Due to its potential for misuse and abuse, GBL is tightly regulated in many countries and is available only through a prescription or with a valid license. People should also know the legal consequences of possessing or selling GBL, as the punishments can be severe. Some street names, especially when mixed with other substances such as amphetamines, can be Soap, Water, Salty water, Blue water, and Grievous Bodily Harm. Giving up GHB/GBL after using it for a long time is challenging because the body has to get used to functioning without it.
GBL (gama-butyrolaktón) – Častá Náhrada GHB
It is also worth noting that these effects will not necessarily occur in a predictable or reliable manner, although higher doses are more liable to induce the full spectrum of effects. Likewise, adverse effects become increasingly likely with higher doses and may include addiction, severe injury, or death ☠. As a lactone, GBL is hydrolyzed under basic conditions, for example in a sodium hydroxide solution into sodium gamma-hydroxybutyrate, the sodium salt of gamma-hydroxybutyric acid. In acidic water, a mixture of the lactone and acid forms exists in an equilibrium.
Gamma-Butyrolactone (GBL): Effects, Risks, And Treatment
It is important to keep the victim awake and moving; the victim must not be left alone due to the risk of death through vomiting. Frequently the victim will be in a good mood but this does not mean the victim is not in danger. GHB overdose is a medical emergency and immediate assessment in an emergency department is needed. GHB and GBL are depressant drugs which can produce a mild high in smaller doses and sedation in higher doses. Users of GHB/GBL and 1,4-BD report that the drugs make them feel euphoric, with a loss of inhibitions, increased confidence and higher libido. Some people liken the experience to taking ecstasy, although most users report that the experience is very similar to being drunk on alcohol.
Ritonavir (Norvir) Interacts With GAMMA BUTYROLACTONE (GBL)

GBL (Gamma butyrolactone) and 1,4-BD (1,4-butanediol) are chemicals that are closely related to GHB. Once GBL or 1,4-BD enter the body, they convert to GHB very quickly. It will help you navigate the complicated process of GHB withdrawal, but it doesn’t address patterns of thought and behavior that contribute to drug use.

What Is Gamma-Butyrolactone (GBL)?
One sip too many can often mean the difference between unconsciousness and euphoria. GBL can be easily synthesized into GHB simply by changing the pH level by adding an alkali such as sodium hydroxide. Recipes for this process are widely available on the Internet, and some sites will not only identify the materials needed but sell them, too. GBL currently represents a growing public health issue since the substance is relatively cheaper and easier to obtain than GHB. Studies on rodents have shown that GBL has low acute toxicity and only central nervous system depression has been highlighted. GBL abuse potential broadly mimics that of GHB, taking into account that it exerts its effects only after conversion into GHB.
- GHB and GBL are usually tested for using hair, urine, saliva (spit) or blood.
- It is recommended to clearly label your 1,4-Butanediol in writing and dye the liquid with blue food coloring so it no longer resembles a drinkable beverage.
- ” Since many individuals who experience symptoms of GHB overdose are abusing the drug or other substances, it is recommended that recovering users seek help at an addiction treatment program.
- The effects of GHB, GBL and 1,4-BD are relatively short-lived compared with other drugs.
What Happens If You Have Too Much GHB/GBL/1,4-BD?
This is why it’s important to speak to a health professional when planning to stop using GHB/GBL. If you or someone else needs urgent help after taking drugs or drinking, call 999 for an ambulance. If you’re caught driving under the influence, you may receive a heavy fine, driving ban, or prison sentence. How long the effects last and the drug stays in your system depends on how much you’ve taken, your size and what other drugs you may have also taken.
Dual diagnosis rehabilitation treats both of these issues together. The best approach for the treatment of dual diagnosis is an integrated system. In this strategy, both the substance abuse problem and the mental disorder are treated simultaneously. Regardless of which diagnosis (mental health or substance abuse problem) came first, long-term recovery will depend largely on the treatment for both disorders done by the same team or provider. Never mix GBL and alcohol as these 2 substances interact and can lead to death.
- There is very little statistical evidence relating to the prevalence of GHB, GBL and 1,4-BD in the UK.
- However, if someone supplies or possesses them knowing or believing that they will be swallowed and ingested, they are committing an offense.
- This can make GHB more dangerous in terms of overdose potential.
- Anyone who supplies the substance without prescription can be fined HK$10,000.
- If you experience unexpected or concerning effects from GHB or GBL you can notify High Alert to help keep others safe.
Because of the faster and more complete absorption of GBL relative to GHB, its dose-response curve is steeper, and overdoses of GBL tend to be more dangerous and problematic than overdoses involving only GHB or 1,4-B. Any GHB/GBL overdose is a medical emergency and should be cared for by appropriately trained personnel. Dependence can develop fairly quickly, for example after a weekend of severe bingeing on GHB and its related compounds, or may result from regular use over a longer period.
Lying in the recovery position can prevent one from suffocating on their own vomit. GHB was developed in the USA as a pre-medication to help patients sleep before surgery. Some people who use the drug illicitly do so not for the euphoric effects, but rather use higher doses to help them sleep. As GHB/GBL and 1,4-BD help promote ‘slow wave sleep’, during which growth hormone is secreted, the substances have also been used by bodybuilders. In many cases, traumatic experiences can result in a mental health disorder and substance abuse.

Both of the metabolic breakdown pathways shown for GHB can run in either direction, depending on the concentrations of the substances involved, so the body can make its own GHB either from GABA or from succinic semialdehyde. Under normal physiological conditions, the concentration of GHB in the body is rather low, and the pathways would run in the reverse direction to what is shown here to produce endogenous GHB. However, when GHB is consumed for recreational or health promotion purposes, its concentration in the body is much higher than normal, which changes the enzyme kinetics so that these pathways operate to metabolise GHB rather than producing it.
Everyday use can result in a heightened tolerance to, and dependence on, the drug. When dependence begins, it tends to result in strong cravings, depressed moods, insomnia, and anxiety unless the user takes a dose every few hours. If you have taken GBL for more than seven days in a row, Do not attempt to stop by yourself.
GBL and GHB are also referred to as “K.-o.-Tropfen” (K.-o.-drops) in German-speaking countries. To find out more about the law around legal and controlled drugs, including GHB, see Drugs and the law. If you believe you have been given GHB or GBL without your consent (sometimes called getting ‘roofied’), you may be asked to have a test to see if it is in your system. If you have been given these drugs without your knowing and are expecting a drug test for work or court, you can speak to a medical professional or Police about your next steps. GHB and GBL are usually tested for using hair, urine, saliva (spit) or blood. However, these drugs may not be tested for often as they can only be picked up on in a very short window (1–2 days) and can be unreliable.
Comparison Of Dosage
It may not be possible to recognize that you have been spiked with GBL specifically, but if you notice sudden changes, such as extreme sedation, go to a person or place of safety and ask for help. Call the police and remain with friends or in a safe place until they arrive. After ingestion, effects emerge within 20 minutes and can last for several hours. Begin with a free call to an addiction & behavioral health treatment advisor. The We Level Up Treatment Center Network delivers recovery programs that vary by each treatment facility. For this reason, it is recommended to only transport and store the drug using a glass container, standard gelatin capsules (not vegetarian), or high-density polyethylene plastic (also known as #2 recyclable plastic).
