GHB and GBL: What are they?
GHB/GBL: What is it?
Gammahydroxybutyric acid, commonly known as GHB , is a synthetic drug initially used medicinally to treat narcolepsy. It is also effective as a preoperative anesthetic. Known for its sedative and amnesiac properties, GHB appeared outside the medical field around twenty years ago. It is also known as the “ date rape drug ”.
You hear about it regularly on the news, and it's a worrying phenomenon. It is mainly women who are poisoned with GHB or Ketamine, known as the rapist drug. The result is similar to falling asleep completely, especially if GHB is mixed with alcohol. It is odorless and its taste is masked by the drink. The next day, the victims forgot everything about their evening and their night. They find themselves victims of sexual abuse and often have their personal belongings stolen.
GHB can be detected in the blood in certain specialized analysis laboratories. It is present for less than 12 hours in the urine and a few hours in the blood. It is particularly difficult to detect because it disappears quickly from the body.
GHB – also known as the “rapist drug” – poses problems for emergency medical services because it is very difficult to detect. In the event of poisoning, medical personnel only have a handful of hours to make a diagnosis.
In the blood, the lifespan of the molecule is approximately six to eight hours and in the urine a little longer: the psychotropic drug can be found up to twelve hours after ingestion. After this period of time, it is impossible to detect the slightest trace of GBL or GHB.
A real problem, especially when victims do not immediately realize that they have been drugged, or when emergency services are slow to carry out specific tests which can detect the presence of this substance.
Problems associated with GHB use
Unlike other products, the difference between a single active dose and overdose is very small. Thus, consumers who wrongly hope to benefit only from the euphoric effects of the product can quickly face serious health problems.
Among them are:
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Mental confusion
- Headaches
- The sleepiness
- Dizziness and vertigo
- Respiratory distress
- The coma
- Amnesia (especially when GHB is mixed with alcohol)
- Death (following a drop in blood pressure, from respiratory arrest or hypothermia for example)
GHB can also cause irritation of the esophagus and mouth because of the sodium hydroxide it contains. Likewise, it creates skin irritations when it comes into direct contact with the skin.
Malicious people who wish to use GHB for criminal purposes generally choose dark, festive places, where alcohol is tolerated and where vigilance is low. Nightclubs, for example, represent an ideal environment for drugging a person with GHB. As alcohol increases the amnesic effects, the crook can then pour a discreet dose into his victim's alcoholic glass to benefit. From there, the first effects are felt after 15 to 20 minutes and last about 1 hour.
Some establishments offer their customers AMA (Ask me anything!) glass hoods or condoms, this method is effective in combating “date rape drugs”.
There are also rapid screening tests for GHB and KETAMINE Drink Safe Test available here:
https://ama-askmeanything.com/collections/tous-nos-produits-drinksafe-technologies
Whatever happens, it is important to keep your glass in your hand and not hesitate to cover it with one hand when you are looking elsewhere.
On the other hand, the best way to fight against GHB “attacks” is to never stay alone and not to accept drinks offered by strangers (except when they are served in front of you).
Sources : https://www.lecrips-idf.net/ghb-drogue
https://www.doctissimo.fr/sante/sante-au-quotidien/addictions/drogues/ghb-effects-sur-lorganism-dangers-presence-dans-le-sang/2fe1ec_ar.html
