Dr. MJ Bazos MD,
Patient Handout
Gamma-Hydroxybutyrate
(GHB)
What is GHB?
Gamma-hydroxybutyrate (GHB) is an illegal drug
that is used as a muscle builder, a "party drug" and a "date-rape" drug. GHB
comes in a liquid and a powder form. GHB has been linked to many serious
illnesses and even deaths. GHB has many names (see box).
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Common street names of GHB
Blue nitro
Cherry fX bombs
Cherry meth
Easy lay
Everclear
Firewater
Gamma G
Georgia homeboy
GHB
G.H. revitalizer
Gib
Goops
Great hormones at bedtime
Grievous bodily harm
G-riffick
Growth hormone booster
Insom-X
Invigorate
Lemon fX drops
Liquid ecstasy
Liquid E
Liquid X
Longevity
Natural sleep-500
Nature's quaalude
Orange fX rush
Organic quaalude
Oxy-sleep
Poor man's heroin
Remforce
Revivarant
Salty water
Scoop
Soap
Somatomax PM
Somsanit
Vita-G
Water
Wolfies
Zonked
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What are the dangers of GHB use?
GHB can cause many problems including the
following:
- Drowsiness
- Dizziness
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Changes in blood pressure
- Trouble breathing
- Aggressive behavior
- Impaired judgment
- Hallucinations
- Seizures
- Coma
- Death
These effects usually appear 10
to 20 minutes after a person takes the drug.
Should I be worried about GHB?
Yes. Because GHB has no color or smell, it can
easily be slipped into drinks and food. A very small amount of GHB may cause you
to "black out" (become unconscious). GHB is often used as a "date-rape" drug.
Don't take drinks from people you don't know or drink from containers you didn't
open yourself.
What should I tell my children about
GHB?
GHB is used most often by teenagers and young
adults. Talk with your children about the dangers of GHB. Warn them not to
accept drinks from other people. Tell them to keep their drinks with them all
the time, even if they go into the bathroom. If you have questions, ask your
doctor.