1. What is GHB?
|
2. GHB Alternatives - Are they "Wonder Drugs of the Century?"
|
3. What are the current GHB Laws?
|
4. What is GBL?
|
|
| What is GHB? |
GHB: Gamma hydroxy butyrate or Gamma hydroxybutyric acid, Sodium Oxybate
Made From: gamma butyrolactone (GBL) and Sodium Hydroxide or Potassium Hydroxide - basically it is degreasing solvent or floor stripper mixed with drain cleaner. When GBL or BD or products containing them are ingested, GHB is produced in the body, that is why we refer extensively to GBL and BD products on these pages.
Other Chemical Names used for gamma butyrolactone (GBL): gamma-6480 * agrisynth blo * gamma-bl * blo * blon * 4-butanolide * 1, 2-butanolide * 1,4-butanolide * butyric acid, 4-hydroxy-, gamma- lactone * butyric acid lactone * butyrolactone * alpha-butyrolactone * gamma-butyrolactone * 4-butyrolactone * butyrylactone * butyryl lactone * 4-deoxytetronic acid * dihydro-2(3h)-furanone * 4- hydroxybutanoic acid lactone * 4-hydroxybutanoic acid, gamma-lactone * gamma-hydroxybutyric acid cyclic ester * 4-hydroxybutyric acid lactone * 4-hydroxybutyric acid, gamma-lactone * gamma-hydroxybutyric acid lactone * gamma-hydroxybutyrolactone * nci-c55878 * 2-oxolanone * tetrahydro-2-furanone *
Street Names for GHB: GHB, "G" (most common), Gamma-OH, Liquid E, Fantasy, Georgia Home Boy, Grievous Bodily Harm, Liquid X, Liquid Ecstasy (is not ecstasy), Scoop, Water, Everclear, Great Hormones at Bedtime, GBH, Soap, Easy Lay, Salty Water, G-Riffick, Cherry Meth, and Organic Quaalude, Jib.
GHB Precursors (analogs): (They turn into GHB in your body) GBL, BD, Blue Nitro, Revivarant, Renewtrient, GAMMA-BUTYROLACTONE, Revitalize Plus, Serenity, Enliven, GHRE, SomatoPro, NRG3, Thunder Nectar and Weight Belt Cleaner, Invigorate, Firewater, Verv, and more
Description: A clear liquid. Looks just like water. Can be mistaken for water because it is usually found in a small (30ml) clear plastic bottle, a water bottle, or even Gatorade bottles, which contains several doses. One quick taste, and you'll know it's not water. Not as common, but also found as a white powder. Infact powder use is on the rise!
Effects: Intoxication, increased energy, happiness, talking, desire to socialize, feeling affectionate and playful, mild disinhibition, sensuality, enhanced sexual experience, muscle relaxation, loss of coordination due to loss of muscle tone, possible nausea, difficulty concentrating, loss of gag reflex.
Many people have bad reactions. These can include nausea, headaches, drowsiness, dizziness, amnesia, vomiting, loss of muscle control, respiratory problems, loss of consciousness, being conscious but unable to move, and death- Especially when combined with alcohol or other drugs.
Effects of large doses: Disinhibition, sedation, desire to sleep, rambling incoherent speech, giddiness, silliness, difficulty thinking, slurred speech, passing out, and death. Here's one scenario: While You Were Sleeping - Online Presentation of GHB Dangers
***WARNING - if your friend passes out, always seek medical attention immediately, no matter what anyone else tells you.
Effects of overdose: Sleep or deep sedation from which you cannot be awakened by any means for about three hours, and in many cases, death. Passing out while on GHB is sometimes called carpeting out, scooping out, or throwing down.
bullet Center for Disease Control: "GBL is an industrial and household solvent of acrylate polymers, and unintentional poisonings have been reported ... It also is marketed as a dietary supplement at health food stores and on the World-Wide Web under several trade names. Although labeled as dietary supplements, GBL-containing products are illegally marketed, unapproved new drugs that have been involved in .... reports of adverse events..."
bullet EMEDICINE: "GHB is readily manufactured from its precursor, gamma-butyrolactone (also known as 2(3h)-furanone dihydro or GBL). GBL is a solvent found in floor cleaning products, nail polish and super glue removers. Saponification of the lactone with sodium hydroxide in the form of lye results in nearly quantitative conversion. This method is not without its drawbacks however; there are several case reports of caustic alkali ingestion from undissolved lye. GBL also undergoes conversion into GBH in vivo (by an unknown mechanism) and, accordingly, is associated with many of the same symptoms." click their link for more.
The University of Florida lists these effects:
Coma Somnolence Confusion Unconsciousness
Seizures Dizziness Agitation Respiratory Arrest
Insomnia Nausea Hallucinations
Anxiety Vomiting Bradycardia (slow heart rate)
Tremor Weakness Decreased respiratory effort (decreased number of breaths per minute)
Your body manufactures GHB for its normal metabolism. The only reason people take GHB at a party is to get high, not for their health. People are kidding themselves if they imagine they're taking a vitamin supplement or amino acid, even though GHB has been marketed as such. Just because trace, minute amounts of GHB are found in a human body doesn�t make the lab-created form of it safe to consume!
It has even been dubbed "liquid ecstasy." Its highly concentrated street form is available as a liquid in small plastic bottles, about the size and shape of a hotel shampoo bottle. One dosage is usually a capful. There are approximately 9 hits per bottle, but this, too varies depending on the concentration of the mix. It's very cheap as well. (as taken from Vaults of Erowid, an Internet site mostly claiming benefits of GHB. They do, however, mention some negative effects, but these are downplayed and then blamed on the "establishment," which according to their view has forced GHB underground and is to blame for these overdoses!)
This is GHB in a nutshell. BUT WHAT ABOUT THE THINGS PEOPLE ARE CLAIMING, THAT GHB IS GOOD FOR YOU, AND THAT IT IS NOT ADDICTIVE????? And what about narcolepsy????? What about the law?
There are many cases of overdose involving GHB or its analogs. We will post these or provide links for them on our links page. For now, read the comments we've received. Also, read the links for current news and medical information
One Internet Recipe Website says: "Safety: Wear gloves and safety glasses at all times. If any of the reagents or intermediates contacts the skin, wash well with cold water." AND: "The author is not responsible for any consequences arising from the synthesis and use of GHB" AND "To store it I use a mason glass jar with a plastic cover. I draw the poison logo on it " - [bold and italics added for emphasis]. Now, why would you want to drink this?
Interesting comment:
City, State: La
Date: July 14, 2002
Comments:
I was at the hospital the other night because my friend od'd on G there are street words for this also when ever the person passes out and drools on themselves and has poor muscle control it is said that person is in the "G hold." After the person goes into a comma type thing and begins to throw up and have poor breathing then they are in the G hole most of the time you say this when they are near death. |
Go to top added/updated @ 2008-08-15 02:35:41
|
| GHB Alternatives - Are they "Wonder Drugs of the Century?" |
GHB Alternatives - Are they "Wonder Drugs of the Century?"
(Also, see "Analogs Continue to Surface," by Trinka Porrata, drug consultant, December 27, 1999)
Since GHB was forced off health food store shelves, marketers of GHB have found other ways to get GHB to consumers - in the form of chemicals that turn into GHB once ingested. Many of these products are sold under the guise of "natural cleaners." Chemicals that turn into GHB once ingested include:
bullet GBL (gamma butyrolactone)
bullet BD (1,4 butanediol or tetramethylene glycol or sucol-B)
bullet 2(3H)-Furanone di-hydro.
bullet Products that list "proprietary polyhydroxyl complex"
These products are often promoted as "safe alternatives to GHB."
There is a growing list of products being sold. New names crop up all the time.
Product Claims: Fights stress and depression, Stimulates Growth Hormone, Induces deep sleep, Relieves anxiety, Aids in muscle-building, Pro-sexual, Enhances Athletic Performance, Combats aging
Read the official FDA warning
These compounds are being sold over the counter and through the Internet as nutritional substances and/or natural solvent cleaners. They are being touted as "legal GHB" and "herbal GHB." These analogs are just as illegal as GHB.
From Trinka Porrata: leading expert on GHB and other designer drugs
Blue Nitro, Renewtrient and Revivarant are all analogs of GHB (chemical cousins which give same or similar effects as the primary drug) and they are ILLEGAL in California. Law enforcement is just a little slow on the draw. Just like the fact that it is illegal to sell GHB kits on the Internet, it takes us a long time to act. Two of the Internet kit sellers have been busted, but there are many more. Renewtrient, for example, is comprised on just gamma butyl lactone, the precursor to GHB.......but it acts the same or worse than GHB and when distributed as or in lieu of GHB, it is to be treated as an analog and therefore is illegal. GHB is Schedule II in California. Any analog of a Schedule I or Schedule II drug is covered by the analog law. It is illegal, just a matter of someone taking action.
There has been at least one death directly attributed to Renewtrient ( as of this writing). Even the Blue Nitro website admits there are no studies on this ingredient. These analogs are all floor strippers, degreasers or something you might expect to find in your car's antifreeze......makes no sense to be drinking them!!! The people selling this !@#$ couldn't care less about the safety factor. Since most coroners don't know to test for GHB or how to test for it.....the likelihood of them even catching a death from one of these products isn't great at this point. This is so, so insane and it isn't over yet. They will keep looking for more analogs and more dangerous chemical alternatives.
ANALOGS OF GHB CONTINUE TO SURFACE
By Trinka D. Porrata
December 27, 1999
Several products being sold via the Internet and over the counter throughout the nation as sports or nutritional supplements, sleep aids, fat loss aids or sexual stimulants are in fact dangerous analogs of the so called "date rape drug" gamma hydroxy butyrate (GHB). The names keep changing, but the dangers are the same.
Names surfacing so far include: Blue Nitro, Renewtrient, Revivarant, Remforce, Firewater, Enliven, Serenity, ZEN, Revitalize Plus, Thunder Nectar, Weight Belt Cleaner, SomatoPro, NRG3, GHRE and, most recently, G3. See list at end of document. They may appear in any color, including clear, light amber, red or blue. Anyone driving a vehicle under the influence of these substances presents a potential safety hazard. They are used in rapes in exactly the same way GHB is used. Several of the documented GHB-related deaths involve these products. GHB and its analogs are also now known to be addictive and withdrawal from this addiction is life endangering. Most emergency rooms and addiction treatment clinics are not fully aware of the hazards. Anyone seeking treatment for a GHB addiction should specifically seek a facility with knowledge of GHB addiction. Any facility encountering a GHB addiction should seek expert advice, as special precautions should be taken.
Many of them list the main ingredient as 2(3H)-Furanone di-hydro and claim that it does not contain GHB or any other illegal substance. This ingredient is gamma butyl lactone (GBL, aka "BLO" or "Blow"), the precursor of GHB, being listed by its other chemical name. As of January 1, 2000, GBL is a listed precursor chemical in California, requiring a license to purchase it. Though a precursor to GHB, it is also an active "analog" of GHB. Several of the products list the primary ingredient as 1,4 butanediol (BD) or its other chemical names, tetramethylene glycol or sucol-B. These products may also surface labeled as degreasing or cleaning products that are in reality being used for human consumption.
Mere possession of the precursor/analog GBL or the analog 1,4 butanediol is not illegal in and of itself at this time. But, depending on which state you live in, any action that converts the product to "human consumption" (such as sticking a straw in the bottle, pouring it into human consumption type water or vitamin or mouthwash bottles, for example, etc.) may make it an analog under state law and thus illegal. Agencies are encouraged to examine their state laws carefully to determine whether or not GHB has been controlled, whether an analog law exists, whether it covers these products, etc., and initiate legislative changes as necessary.
An analog is a substance which has or is represented to have or is intended to have effects on the central nervous system which are substantially similar to or greater than, the controlled substance itself. Some state laws put forth the previous language and offer the alternative that the analog have "substantially similar chemical structure." This makes it an "either-or" situation. California law says "or." Other states may require both conditions, complicating the definition.
The analog status of GBL and 1,4 butanediol in each state needs to be clarified and adequate training given to law enforcement and prosecutorial agencies statewide. Some chemists are reluctant to call GBL (which is a closed ring) an analog of GHB (which is an open ring), but they exist in "equilibrium" and GHB swings (converts) back and forth on its own. One way to view it is that a shoelace is still a shoelace, whether it is tied or untied.
Federally and in most states with analog laws, these analog statutes apply only to Schedule I and II drugs. Whether placed in Schedule I, II, III or IV in any state, GHB cannot be prescribed legally by doctors (except for those doctors specifically authorized through the limited, licensed federal research protocols) because it has been federally banned by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) since 1990.
These products and similar products are also starting to appear in powder and capsule form. In fact, you will start seeing more and more capsules, especially Renewtrient. Some of the Internet sites promoting these products admit that there is no scientific evidence to back up the safety and beneficial effects claimed by them. Some even note that their product is being manufactured in an FDA approved lab; they further admit that this does not mean the FDA has approved the product itself. Label notations such as "Does not contain GHB" or "legal (or herbal) GHB" are literally your first clue that the product is an analog of GHB! Revitalize Plus denies containing GHB, GBL, GHBA or HGH, but lists "proprietary polyhydroxyl complex," which still fits the GHB analog mode. Many of the labels also foolishly discourage calling 911 when someone overdoses on these products, a deadly recommendation. When cases identify the Internet as the source of the product and when the physical location of the Internet source can be determined, prosecution may be possible either under that state's laws or under federal provisions through the Department of Justice, Office of Consumer Litigation.
When booking crime scene evidence or sexual assault or driving under the influence blood or urine samples where GHB or its analogs or other unusual drugs are suspected, officers must specifically request that tests be performed for such drugs. Analogs of GHB may not test "positive" for GHB in the original product, but will test positive for GHB in blood or urine (if samples are taken within 12 hours after ingestion) because the body converts the substance to GHB. If submitting a drink that may contain GHB or an analog, for example, officers should specify to test for GHB/GBL/BD. Testing for GHB in a product will likely pick up on both GHB and GBL, but will not necessarily result in a finding of BD without a specific request (or at least without specific knowledge of its existence as an analog by lab personnel). The lab would only need to test for BD if GHB and/or GBL were not found.
COMMON CHEMICAL NAMES
GAMMA HYDROXY BUTYRATE (GHB)
SODIUM OXYBATE (GHB)
GAMMA BUTYL LACTONE (GBL)
2(3H)-FURANONE DI-HYDRO (GBL)
1,4 BUTANEDIOL (BD)
TETRAMETHYLENE GLYCOL (BD)
SUCOL-B (BD)
XYREM TM (PRESCRIPTION GHB FOR USE IN ORPHAN MEDICAL STUDY)
NOTE: There may be other analogs that will appear.
REPORTED PRODUCT NAMES *indicates product just added to this list (1/12/2001)
AMINO FLEX (BD)
BLUE MOON (May be a product name or just a bar drink using GBL)
BLUE NITRO
BLUE NITRO VITALITY
BlueRaine Cleaner
BORAMETZ (BD)
BVM (BD)
DORMIR (BD)
ENLIVEN (BD)
FIREWATER
FX (BD)---ORANGE FX RUSH, LEMON FX DROP, CHERRY FX BOMB
G3
GH-GOLD (May be referred to as GHG)
GAMMA G
GENX or GENEX
GHRE (BD)-(GROWTH HORMONE RELEASE EXTRACT)
GH REVITALIZER
INNERG (BD)
INVIGORATE
JOLT
LIQUID GOLD*
N-FORCE*
NRG3 (BD)
PINE NEEDLE EXTRACT (BD)
PROMUSOL (BD)
PURE RAINE
REACTIVE
REJOOV*
REJUV+NITE*
REGENERIZE
RENEWTRIENT
Remedy GH
REMFORCE
REST-EZE
REST-Q (BD)
REVIVARANT
REVIVARANT G
REVITALIZE PLUS (Gamma hydroxybutyaldehyde)
SERENITY (BD)
SODIUM OXYBATE (GHB)
SOMATO PRO (BD)
THUNDER
THUNDER NECTAR (BD)
VERV or VERVE
WEIGHT BELT CLEANER (BD)
WHITE MAGIC (BD)
X-12
ZEN (BD)
or any product containing these chemicals: GBL (gamma butyrolactone or 2(3H)-Furanone di-hydro), BD (1,4 butanediol or tetramethylene glycol, 1,4-Dihydroxybutane, 1,4-Butyleneglycol, SUCOL-B).
Also---NAIL POLISH REMOVER-UNK BRAND-100% GBL
MISCELLANEOUS-COMBINATIONS, Paint stripper with primary ingredient GBL (Woodman's Pride).
NOTE: New names surface on a regular basis. Also, Revitalize Plus does NOT contain any of the chemical names for BD, but lists only "proprietary polyhydroxyl complex" which is a sneaky way of saying a GHB-related product.
OTHER SYNONYMS for GBL as per MSDS
GAMMA-6480 * AGRISYNTH BLO * GAMMA-BL * BLO * BLON * 4-BUTANOLIDE * 1, 2-BUTANOLIDE * 1,4-BUTANOLIDE * BUTYRIC ACID, 4-HYDROXY-, GAMMA- LACTONE * BUTYRIC ACID LACTONE * BUTYROLACTONE * ALPHA-BUTYROLACTONE * GAMMA-BUTYROLACTONE * 4-BUTYROLACTONE * BUTYRYLACTONE * BUTYRYL LACTONE * 4-DEOXYTETRONIC ACID * DIHYDRO-2(3H)-FURANONE * 4- HYDROXYBUTANOIC ACID LACTONE * 4-HYDROXYBUTANOIC ACID, GAMMA-LACTONE * GAMMA-HYDROXYBUTYRIC ACID CYCLIC ESTER * 4-HYDROXYBUTYRIC ACID LACTONE * 4-HYDROXYBUTYRIC ACID, GAMMA-LACTONE * GAMMA-HYDROXYBUTYRIC ACID LACTONE * GAMMA-HYDROXYBUTYROLACTONE * NCI-C55878 * 2-OXOLANONE * TETRAHYDRO-2-FURANONE * 2(3H) FURANONE DIHYDRO |
Go to top added/updated @ 2008-08-15 02:37:48
|
| What are the current GHB Laws? |
Until February 2000, laws regarding GHB and its analogs have been limited primarily to the state level. Enforcement has been slow. President Clinton signed the bill H.R. 2130 on February 18, 2000, which will make GHB, Ketamine, and GBL a Schedule 1 drug, while still allowing supervised use for narcolepsy. When and if GHB is approved for medical use by the FDA for narcolepsy, more specifically, cataplexy, it will go back to Schedule 3, but with Schedule 1 consequences for illicit use.
To follow the bill's progress from its inception to present, please log on to www.senate.gov and type in HR2130. All details of this bill are set out on these pages.
* SB 1561 (The Samantha Reid Date-Rape Drug Control Act of 1999) has merged into H.R. 2130 to be called The Hillory J. Farias and Samantha Reid Date-Rape Drug Prohibition Act of 2000
Making GHB Schedule 1 makes it a crime to possess, manufacture, or sell GHB or its precursors, with up to 20 years jail time for it. It will be in the same drug class as marijuana or heroin.
The Hillory J. Farias and Samantha Reid Date-Rape Drug Prohibition Act of 2000 (HR 2130) in a nutshell:
* 6/10/1999-- Bill Introduced
* 10/12/99-- An over 2/3 majority vote was passed today in the U.S. House of Representatives
* 2/18/2000-- Signed by President Clinton who stated, "Making GHB a Schedule I controlled substance appropriately reflects the Congress' judgment that possession and distribution of GHB should be prohibited and that violators should be subject to stringent criminal sanctions."
* Amends the Controlled Substances Act (CSA) to add gamma hydroxybutyric acid to schedule I, ketamine to schedule III, and gamma butyrolactone as an additional list I chemical.
* Directs the Secretary of Health and Human Services to submit to Congress annual reports providing an estimate of the number of incidents of the abuse of date-rape drugs that occurred during the most recent one-year period for which data are available.
* Requires the Secretary to develop a plan for carrying out a national campaign to educate young adults, youths, law enforcement personnel, educators, school nurses, counselors of rape victims, and hospital emergency room personnel on: (1) the dangers of the date-rape drugs; (2) the applicability of the CSA to such drugs, including penalties; (3) recognizing symptoms indicating that an individual may be a victim of such drugs, including symptoms of sexual assault; and (4) appropriately responding when an individual has such symptoms.
* Directs the Secretary to establish an advisory committee to make recommendations to the Secretary regarding the plan.
* Sets forth provisions regarding plan implementation and evaluation
* Related links: The Samantha Reid Foundation
News on Legislation:
* Date Rape Drug Laws Pending Legislature in Missouri
* Other news...
STATES HAVING CONTROLLED GHB
To date (September 1999),25 states have controlled gamma hydroxy butyrate (GHB) in some fashion. Some of these states, especially if in Schedule III or IV, may have an analog problem. (Analogs are chemical cousins being sold as Blue Nitro, Renewtrient, Firewater, Serenity, etc. that have the same effect as GHB and in fact are turned into GHB in the body.) Those who have only criminalized GHB, but have not "controlled" it may also have an analog problem, unless analogs were specified in the legislation. Even if federal legislation is passed, each and every state MUST control GHB in order for local and state law enforcement agencies to be able to make arrests for possession, sales and manufacturing. Federal prosecution is limited to specific circumstances and usually to large-volume cases. For help initiating legislation in your state, contact Trinka Porrata via email at Equus555@worldnet.att.net.
Schedule I
Georgia
Rhode Island
Hawaii
Illinois
Nevada
Wisconsin
Michigan
Delaware
Idaho
Oklahoma
Nebraska
Alabama
Arkansas
Schedule II
Florida
California
Indiana
New Hampshire
Louisiana
Schedule III
South Dakota
Minnesota
New Jersey
Schedule IV
Tennessee
Alaska
North Carolina
Connecticut
***Four states (Arizona, Texas, Colorado and Massachusetts) have criminalized sale and possession of GHB, but have not scheduled it, and placed it in their highest penalty groups.
September 27, 1999
[ Up ] [ What is GHB? ] [ GHB Analogs ] [ Laws ] [ GBL ] [ GHB Myths Exposed ] [ GHB Testing Problem ] [ GHB & Narcolepsy ] |
Go to top added/updated @ 2008-08-15 02:44:02
|
| What is GBL? |
(for explanation of unfamiliar scientific terms, we recommend www.britannica.com )
Description
gamma-Butyrolactone (GBL) is a colorless liquid, free of suspended matter. It is miscible (capable of being mixed; specifically: capable of mixing in any ratio without separation of two phases) with water, alcohols, ketones, esters and aromatic hydrocarbons. Solubility is limited in aliphatic and cycloaliphatic hydrocarbons.
Safety
•gamma-Butyrolactone (GBL) is a strong mucous membrane irritant, as well as a mild skin irritant.
•GBL can penetrate the epidermis and cause rashes or eczema.
•GBL has a narcotic effect.
•This product is neither explosive nor spontaneously flammable in air. However, it is combustible. Materials recommended for storage tanks are carbon steel, stainless steel and nickel. Always refer to the Material Safety Data Sheet (MSDS) for detailed information on handling and disposal.
Applications
•GBL serves as a chemical intermediate in the manufacture of all pyrrolidones. It can be used in the production of pesticides, herbicides and plant growth regulators. GBL may be formed as an intermediate in the production of vitamins and pharmaceuticals.
•As a solvent, GBL can be used in/with:
•pesticides
•photochemical etching
•electrolytes of small batteries or capacitors
•viscosity modifiers in polyurethanes
•surface etching of metal coated plastics
•organic paint disbursements for water soluble inks
•pH regulators in the dyeing of wool and polyamide fibers
•foundry chemistry as a catalyst during curing
•curing agents in many coating systems based on urethanes and amides
Graph of GBL Specification as reported by BASF (http://www.basf.com):
GBL Product Specs |
