All substances
§2.5.4 · ChemicalsIntoxicating Depressants

GHB

GHB; Gamma Hydroxybutyrate

Also known as G · Grievous Bodily Harm · Liquid Ecstasy · Harm

Acute: Extreme riskDependency: Extreme risk

Images

Quick reference

Routes
Oral
Form
Paste
Shulgin rating
+***

Duration

Onset
15 Minutes
Total duration
2 Hours

Experience

Primary effects

  • GHB produces a mild, heady inebriation, anxiolytic calmness, and slight body warmth without the fogginess of alcohol.
  • It offers a pleasant, mood-enhancing experience with clear-headed sedation and potential for sexual stimulation if focused on.

Peak character

  • The peak is characterized by lucid, tranquil intoxication, good mood, and absence of anxiety.
  • It feels like 'sober intoxication,' providing a sense of control despite sedation, and a general ataractic (calming) effect.

Negatives / side effects

  • Extreme caution is essential due to a very narrow therapeutic window; 3-4 times a normal dose can cause unconsciousness, vomiting, or death.
  • NEVER mix GHB with alcohol or other depressants, as this combination frequently leads to tragic consequences.
  • Variability in concentration (powder vs. liquid, wet vs. dry paste) makes accurate dosing difficult and dangerous; always establish concentration and dose very conservatively.

Aftereffects / comedown

  • Effects wear off gradually, leading to some tiredness, but generally without a significant comedown or hangover.
  • The benign feeling can be misleading, increasing the risk of redosing too much or mixing with other substances due to a false sense of safety.

Reference dosage

Reference ranges from third-party harm-reduction databases. Individual response varies enormously — start lower than you think.

Any route
light0.5g+
common1g+
strong2g+
heavy3g+

Reagent testing

Adulterant detection: No reliable colorimetric reagent test. GHB test kits (specific colorimetric assays based on color change in acidic solution with a chromogenic agent) are available as dedicated products.

Use a dedicated GHB test kit. Standard reagents (Marquis, Mecke etc.) are not useful. GBL (a prodrug) is indistinguishable from GHB by colorimetric test.

Source

Reference fields and narrative for GHB extracted from The Drug Users Bible by Dominic Milton Trott (MxZero Publishing, 2022).

drugusersbible.com

Harm reduction notice

This platform provides educational and harm-reduction information adapted from public reference material. It does not endorse, encourage, or facilitate drug use. It is not medical advice. If you or someone near you may be in a medical emergency, contact local emergency services immediately.