Ghb And What It Essay Research Paper

Ghb And What It Essay, Research Paper

GHB, or gamma-hydroxybutyrate, is a nutrient that is part of the metabolism

process in mammalians. It can be found in every cell of the human body. The

greatest quantities can be found in the kidney, heart, skeletal muscles, and

brown fat tissues (Chin and Kreutzer, 1992). Chin and Kruetzer also believe it

to be a neurotransmitter, however that has not yet been proven. GHB is known to

be a metabolite and also a precursor of the inhibitory neurotransmitter GABA

(gamma-aminobutyric acid). GHB and GABA have a close structural relationship,

but GHB does not act on GABA receptor sites.

GHB was first synthesized about thirty years ago. A french researcher, Dr. H.

Laborit, was exploring the effects of GABA in the brain. Laborit had to

synthesize GHB because very little or no GABA crosses the blood-brain barrier.

The difference in the two allowed GHB to cross this barrier where some of it is

metabolized into GABA (Vickers, 1969).

What happened was GHB exhibited a range of effects beyond what was expected

from GABA. In the years to follow, the effects of GHB have been extensively

researched. It has come to be used in Europe as a general anesthetic, a

treatment for narcolepsy, an aid in child birth, and also as a treatment for

alcoholism and withdrawal syndrome. Then in the 80’s, it was available over the

counter in health food stores. It was used by body builders for its ability to

stimulate growth hormone release which aided in fat reduction and muscle

building. However, in the last few years it has become a popular recreational

drug. It gives a pleasant, alcohol like, hangover free "high" with

prosexual effects.

For the thirty years prior to 1990, all research papers on GHB were unanimous

in reporting numerous beneficial physiological effects and the absence of long

term negative effects. Vickers called it "a truly nontoxic hypnotic"

and emphasized its "lack of toxicity." Vickers also showed evidence

that GHB demonstrates "no toxic effects on the liver and kidney." As

recent as 1989, the consensus was unchanged. Gallimberti’s study from that year

on its uses in treating alcohol withdrawal in humans notes that "GHB’s

action…seems to be without serious side effects." Gallimberti’s reference

to the "safety of GHB" shows how well-established this property of the

nutrient had become.

Then, on November 8, 1990, the FDA banned the over the counter sale of GHB in

the United States. In 1991, two scientists from the California Department of

Health Services wrote a report on ten "poisonings" associated with GHB.

Chin and Kreutzer had warned of GHB’s potential for abuse. They observed that

"all interviewed patients reported a pleasurable sensation or a .high’.

Several of them..continued taking [GHB] because it made them .feel

good’."

If the ten "poisonings" are looked at more closely, four involved

"unknown doses," four featured the "coingestion" of other

drugs, (usually alcohol), one involved unmedicated epilepsy, and another a

history of grand mal seizures. Since alcohol and other central nervous system

depressants are not recommended with GHB, and because it is contraindicated for

epileptics, such cases are not unexpected.

One point of the of the poisonings needs to be addressed–the use of the

terms "coma" and "seizures" are used in the description of

these ten cases. If a high dose of GHB is consumed it can cause clonus, a rapid,

rhythmic contraction and relaxation of muscles which would be better described

as muscle spasm or uncontrollable twitching than a seizure. GHB has also been

known to cause intense drowsiness, abrupt sedation, and deep sleep which is

probably better described as unarrousability or deep sedation rather than coma.

The authors of these ten reports confirmed that "there have not been any

reported deaths" and that "if product use is discontinued, full

recovery with no long term side effects is universal."

Some of the concerns that are related with GHB are some of the side effects

that are present when large doses are consumed. A dose twice the recommended for

relaxation can put you to sleep in a very short amount of time after

consumption. In this respect it is similar to alcohol: if you drink twice as

much as you normally would, you probably wouldn’t function very well.

Most of the people that take it find that it gives a pleasant state of

relaxation and tranquility. There can also be feelings of placidity, sensuality,

mild euphoria, and can also give a tendency to talk. Worries tend to fade into

feelings of emotional warmth, well being, and pleasant drowsiness. The morning

after is unlike that of alcohol or other drugs that induce similar feelings.

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