Editor's Note: The following essay is intended for entertainment purposes only. GHB is an illegal substance in most of the world's major countries. The author assumes no liability for any actions taken following viewing of this article.
Known here in Europe as Gamma-OH, and in the US and Canada as GHB, gamma-hydroxybutyrate
is a novel compound that increases sociability and may function as an antidepressant.
Its sale was banned in the US in 1990, in spite of the fact that there is
no scientific evidence that it posed any health risk when used responsibly.GHB, or gamma-hydroxybutyrate, is a normal component of mammalian metabolism. Found naturally in every cell in the human body, it is therefore considered a nutrient. In the brain, the highest amounts are found in the hypothalamus and basal ganglia. GHB is found in greater concentrations in kidney, heart, skeletal muscles, and fat tissues. Some scientists believe it to be a neurotransmitter. It is both a metabolite and precursor of the inhibitory neurotransmitter GABA (gamma-aminobutyric acid, or gamma-aminobutyrate), another nutrient to which it bears a close structural relationship. GHB, however, does not act directly on GABA receptor sites.
GHB was first synthesized about thirty years ago by a French researcher Dr. H. Laborit, who was interested in exploring the effects of GABA in the brain. Laborit synthesized GHB, which substitutes a hydroxy group for an amino group because little or no GABA crosses the blood-brain barrier. This difference allows GHB to cross the blood brain barrier where some of it is metabolized into GABA.
It turns out that Laborit found that GHB exhibited a range of effects beyond those expected from GABA. Over the following years, numerous researchers have extensively studied GHB's effects. It is has come to be used in Europe as a general anesthetic, a treatment for insomnia and narcolepsy, an aid to childbirth, a treatment for alcoholism and alcohol withdrawal syndrome, and for many other uses. In the United States, Canada, Japan and Australia, GHB is used by members of the underground rave culture as a safe alternative to alcohol or ecstasy. Before it was banned, bodybuilders in the United States used GHB to increased growth hormone levels.
GHB actually stimulates pituitary growth hormone (GH) release. One methodologically rigorous Japanese study reported nine-times and sixteen-times increases in growth hormone 30 and 60 minutes respectively after intravenous administration of 2.5 grams of GHB in six healthy men between the ages of twenty-five and forty. GH levels were still seven-times higher at 120 minutes.
The mechanism by which GHB stimulates growth-hormone release is not known. Dopamine activity in the hypothalamus is known to stimulate pituitary release of growth hormone, but GHB inhibits dopamine release at the same time that it stimulates GH release. This suggests that GHB's GH-releasing effect take place through an entirely different mechanism.
GHB is normally available as either the sodium salt (Na-GHB) or the potassium salt (K- GHB) of gamma-hydroxybutyrate. GHB could theoretically be produced in other salt forms but it has not been seen available. Na-GHB is about 10% - 15% stronger than K-GHB by weight so dosage has to be adjusted accordingly.
Professionally produced pharmaceutical-grade GHB will almost always be a white crystalline powder (although there are some exceptions to this in pharmaceutical preparations such as Alcover and Pro-K.) The synthesis of GHB is relatively simple hence the proliferation of some companies selling kits to make GHB and amateur attempts by underground chemists to produce it. GHB produced at home will generally be in a liquid form. I will outline how to make GHB later on in this essay.
While some people consider making their own GH, and this is sometimes necessary in countries like the United States where unscientific political and economic forces cause pharmaceutical GHB to disappear from the market, it's not recommended. It is not advisable to try making GHB yourself if you have no experience with handling chemicals. It is best to try to obtain pharmaceutical GHB from a reputable company. Because the majority of us live in countries where GHB is illegal, such companies are rare. One, Biogenesis Laboratories is located in South Africa and is a well-known reputable supplier, the website is here http://www.biogenesis.co.za/.
Editors Note: Ironmag.com is not responsible for the conduct of the above company. Note that if GHB is illegal in your country, you will be unable to purchase from the above supplier legally. We do not take responsibility for any illegal actions on the part of any readers.
Dosage
Probably, the most important thing to know is what your personal GHB dose is. GHB affects each person differently so understand that what is the right dose for someone else may not be the right dose for you. It is therefore recommended to take a low dose (less than 1 gram) the first few times and build it up slowly (in half gram increments) from there. GHB effect is proportional to body weight. The more you weigh the more you will need. Generally (for reasons unknown), women need a slightly lower dose than men for the same effect (even adjusting for body weight).
Be very aware of how you feel on the dose. Notice how it effects your coordination, your mood, your degree of body relaxation and your overall emotional state. By taking a sensible and patient approach you will gain experience with GHB under a number of different circumstances.
Things like your mood may affect your sensitivity to a dose of GHB at the time, your body weight, whether you've eaten recently, whether you've had GHB recently and the presence of other stimulants (like caffeine) in your body. In general you will need more GHB to produce the same effect if you have taken any stimulants. Even a cup of coffee is enough to slightly mitigate the effects of a small dose of GHB.
GHB has an exponential dose response curve. As the dose is increased the effects increase quite strongly. Sometimes it takes just a little bit extra GHB to cause quite a strong effect.
GHB can be dangerous when used improperly or when mixed with other depressants. Combining a normal GHB dose with alcohol can trigger the overdose reaction of unrouseable sleep. GHB has been attributed to a few deaths in the US, but most have involved other drugs (most commonly, alcohol) or high doses. Be safe and avoid mixing GHB with alcohol.
If you overdose even slightly on GHB (double dose), you may fall unconscious and be unrouseable for up to 4 or 5 hours. One of the great dangers of a mild GHB overdose is being taken to a hospital and treated as though you have overdoses on a depressant like barbiturates. This can include stomach pumps, breathing tubes and IV's. Notify anyone in the area if you are consuming GHB so they are aware of the side effects.
Poisoning on GHB occurs at 10g grams. Death is a possible result.
GHB and Sex
Traditionally, an aphrodisiac is said to increase ones sex drive, sexual desire and sexual abilities. GHB has been found to do this. Data has been gathered which shows GHB to have the following prosexual effects:
- Disinhibition
It has been reported that the relaxation of the psychosomatic constrain is the foremost prosexual property of GHB. GHB makes one feel relaxed and free from inhibition, which goes a long way in increasing libido. - Enhanced male erection
GHB has been reported to make men's erections firmer, more stable, longer lasting and quicker to achieve. - Increased orgasm power
Women report GHB to make their orgasms last longer and be more intense with low doses (less than one gram). Higher doses can postpone or even make orgasm difficult. The effect is very dose dependent. The effects on male ejaculation are also closely related to dose.
Having too much can significantly delay orgasm and the feeling of anguish at the absence to an orgasm is diminished. GHB is considered excellent for those who suffer from premature ejaculation. - Heightened sense of touch
The effects of GHB have been described as "enhanced sensuality and intense eroticism" and the sense of touch has been reported as becoming "electric".
General Guidelines for Consuming GHB
Obviously, safety should always be foremost in your mind when taking any chemical. The same goes for GHB. If you observe these simple guidelines for safety, you should have no problems whatsoever.
- Never mix GHB with alcohol or any other central nervous system depressants. Period. CNS depressants (such as alcohol, opiates or prescription tranquilizers) will greatly increase the effects of GHB. At very large doses of alcohol and GHB combined, respiratory collapse and death is possible. You could kill yourself with alcohol alone, but mixing the 2 will make it happen quicker.
- Take the right dose. Discover through careful observation how much you need and do not exceed this. With GHB powder this is easy. Either weigh it or use an accurate measuring spoon. Start off with a very low dose (less than 1 gram) and build it up slowly, leaving at least 40 minutes between your next dose. This way you'll be able to gauge the effects without taking too much. Be patient! With GHB liquid take extra care, as concentration of GHB in the liquid will vary. Take the smallest dose possible to test.
- Know your source. Take only pharmaceutical quality GHB in the form of a white, crystalline powder. Home made GHB in a liquid can be acceptable but could also be made with low-grade reagents. It could also be incompletely reacted still containing either of the original reagents, the pH could be wrong or it could be contaminated. Please exercise caution. It is becoming increasingly harder (especially in the USA and Australia) to obtain the pharmaceutical quality product due to the governments of those countries banning or scheduling GHB. As GHB is fairly simple to synthesize there will always be potentially poorly made product around. So be careful.
- Explain what you are doing to the people around you. If you have a problem at least they know what they are dealing with. Let them know that you may fall asleep and that you will be fine when you awaken. Most people are used to seeing someone intoxicated by alcohol and know how to deal with it. The same is not true for GHB so some education is necessary.
- Don't drive or operate machinery when you have been taking GHB. It affects your coordination and severely slows your reaction time. Be responsible in how you use it. Be mature and be cool.
- Know the consequences of breaking the law. GHB has been criminalized in a number of places. If you still choose to use GHB where these laws have been enacted then understand the possible consequences and take care.
Making Your Own GHB
I don't think I need to tell you that this should only be undertaken by individuals who are proficient in handling chemicals. Do not try this if you have no experience in chemistry or pharmacology.
Safety: Wear gloves and safety glasses at all times. If any of the reagents or intermediates contacts the skin, wash well with cold water. For steps 5 and 6, use electric oven only. In a gas oven, the pilot light may ignite the alcohol fumes causing fire hazard
Editors Note: The author is not responsible for any consequences arising from the synthesis and use of GHB. Never mix GHB with other substances - especially alcohol or other CNS depressants (e.g. sleeping pills).
Safety
Wear gloves and safety glasses at all times. If any of the reagents or intermediates contacts the skin, wash well with cold water.
You will need:
1. 135 grams (120 ml) of gamma butyrolactone
2. 63 grams of Sodium Hydroxide or 91 grams of Potassium Hydroxide
3. Papers to test PH
1. Place the content of the gamma butyrolactone bottle in a stainless steel or Pyrex glass saucepan. Do not use aluminum cookware to make GHB.
2. Place the content of the NaOH or KOH bottle in the same saucepan.
3. Put SLOWLY around a half cup of warm distilled water in it. Put a cover (fast! the reaction may be immediate) on it but not tight.
4. Wait a little it will start reacting on itself. If it doesn't (after 2-3 minutes), heat it a LITTLE (once it reacts remove it from the stove).
4.5 If there is some NaOH not dissolved, stir it up till it is.
5. (This step is optional, some like it like that and others prefer to heat the solution a little.) After it's finished. Start heating it slowly. You will see it starting boiling. Don't overheat! It can burn. Do it for one hour. Don't forget to add water if you make it boil for a long time.
5.5. Between step 4 and 6 you might see a white compound on the side of the saucepan (it doesn't happen every time). Don't throw it away, it's GHB. When you will add water it will dissolve.
6. When you are finished, put it in a measuring cup (Pyrex) and fill it with water (when I'm in a hurry to taste it I use ice) to 1000ml (a little more than 4 cups). That way you'll have around 1 gram per teaspoon.
7. Measure the PH. If it's higher than 7.5 add vinegar to lower it to below 7.5 it can take 50 - 75 ml of vinegar.
9. To store it I use a mason glass jar with a plastic cover. I draw the poison logo on it (very important! you don't want a kid to take a full glass of GHB). I place it in the fridge; the taste is better when it's cold. Please use a method to be sure nobody will throw your GHB away.
This is all that is worthy of mentioning about GHB. As noted, be careful,
both with dosages and with the law in your country. Be sensible and be prepared
for the consequences of GHB use. It can be both a valuable party drug and
bodybuilding supplement, yet it is dangerous and should not be consumed with
out at least the help of someone experienced. 
References:
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