In 2018, a 21‑year‑old biochemistry student died after taking GHB at a chemsex party (a gathering where individuals use psychedelic drugs to enhance sexual activity) in the U.K. He wasn’t a regular user, but after passing out, his friends assumed he was just sleeping.
By the time emergency services arrived, he had suffered cardiac arrest, brain damage from lack of oxygen, and died in the hospital two days later. His parents later learned that toxicology confirmed GHB as the cause of death [1].
GHB gained popularity as a club drug in the 1980s for its euphoric effects, and continues to appear in certain rave, party, and psychedelic circles today. GHB is also infamously used as a date-rape drug and carries serious health risks, including unconsciousness, respiratory depression, and overdose.
Read on to learn about what GHB is, the health risks associated with its use, and how to stay safe and reduce harm in nightlife, club, or festival settings.
What Is GHB?
Gamma-hydroxybutyric acid (GHB) is a central nervous system depressant that occurs naturally in the human brain in very small amounts and functions as a neurotransmitter. GHB is produced illegally in clandestine labs.
GHB primarily acts on GABA-B receptors and specialized GHB receptors, slowing brain activity while, at lower doses, increasing dopamine release to produce stimulating effects. This combination can create feelings of euphoria, relaxation, and disinhibition, similar to ecstasy or alcohol [2].
It is classified as a Schedule I controlled substance in the US due to its high potential for abuse and no accepted non-medical use. However, a pharmaceutical form of GHB, known as sodium oxybate, is legally prescribed in the US and Canada under strict regulations to treat narcolepsy.
Some forms of GHB are sold illicitly as supplements for bodybuilding, fat loss, reversing hair loss, improving eyesight, and reducing mental health problems such as addiction and insomnia.
These are illegal, unregulated, not supported by clinical evidence, and can have dangerous side effects. Certain analogues in illicit GHB have been found in products like fish tank cleaners, ink cartridges, and nail polish remover [2].
Street Names for GHB
At bars or raves, GHB is typically sold in liquid form by the capful for $5 to $25 per cap and is referred to by these terms:
- Liquid ecstasy
- Georgia Home Boy
- G, Liquid G
- Easy Lay
- Scoop, Goop
- Grievous Bodily Harm (dark joke)
- Fantasy, Liquid X, Soap
What Makes GHB A Party Drug?
Because GHB acts on GABA receptors and is considered a central nervous system depressant, some wonder why it’s considered a party drug, unlike typical benzodiazepines, such as Xanax.
This often comes down to pharmacology, onset, and duration [3]:
- Mechanism: GHB acts on GHB receptors and GABA-B receptors to produce euphoria, disinhibition, and sociability, making users feel ready for the club. Drugs like Xanax act on GABA-A receptors to produce more sedative and muscle-relaxant effects.
- Onset & Duration: GHB works fast, within 10 to 20 minutes, and lasts a few hours. The quick buzz combined with extended effects often fits a party/festival vibe more than typical benzodiazepines, which have a slower onset and can cause feelings such as drowsiness for several hours.
- Cultural Context: GHB earned the label “club drug” in the 80s and 90s due to rave culture and liquid dosing, making it a trendy and easily accessible drug for ravers. Benzos like Xanax never developed that association and are often abused more inside the home.
Understanding The Risks of GHB
There are several associated health risks and signs to watch for if you know someone taking GHB. GHB is addictive, and excessive use can quickly lead to abuse and addiction [4].
Impact on Physical Health
- Nervous System Depression: Drowsiness, confusion, memory loss, reduced motor skills
- Respiratory Depression: Slowed or stopped breathing at high doses
- Reduced Heart Health: Low blood pressure, slower heart rate; in severe cases, cardiac arrest
- Withdrawal Symptoms: Shaking/tremors, insomnia, hallucinations, severe aggression, seizures
- Accidental Injuries: Choking, falls, drowning
- Overdose, coma, and death
Impact on Mental Health
- Cognitive Impairment: Memory loss, confusion, poor decision-making, blackouts
- Mood Swings: Anxiety, irritability, depression
- Disinhibition: Risky sexual behaviors; poor judgment can lead to polydrug use or an increased risk of STDs
- Addiction: Psychological cravings and compulsive use
- Risk of Trauma: GHB increases the risk of assault or being in dangerous situations while under the influence
GHB-Related Sexual Assault
GHB is unfortunately used as a date-rape drug, and GHB-related sexual assault is a serious public health and legal concern, with GHB being present in around 4.4% of reported sexual assault cases. Numbers are likely to be higher as most GHB cases are underreported because the drug is so quickly metabolized, making it hard to detect in toxicology screens [5].
GHB is colorless, odorless, and tasteless, often dissolved in drinks. The effects come on quickly, and drowsiness, loss of coordination, memory loss, and blacking out/complete unconsciousness put victims in vulnerable states.
If you or someone you know has experienced drug-facilitated assault, it’s important to know you are not alone, and help is available. Support can include medical care, counseling, and legal guidance.
Overdose and Death
GHB suppresses activity in the central nervous system, and at higher doses, this can lead to cardiac arrest, coma, or death. An overdose of GHB is often called a “G-Drop” or “Blowout”. And there’s a fine line between a recreational dose and a toxic dose of GHB, with even 1 millilitre too much potentially leading to an overdose [6].
Reducing Harm: Staying Safe and When To Seek Help
There is no truly safe way to use GHB recreationally, but understanding the risks and warning signs can reduce the likelihood of serious harm, overdose, sexual assault, or death. Some users say the average dose ranges from 1 to 5 grams (depending on the purity of the compound).
However, GHB is unpredictable, and the concentrations of these “home-brews” have varied so much that users are usually unaware of the actual dose they are drinking. A few ways to reduce associated risks of GHB include:
- Don’t use GHB alone, in unfamiliar environments, or without trusted people nearby.
- Loss of consciousness is not the same as sleeping it off. Seek medical help and call 911.
- Stay aware of your surroundings if possible, avoid sharing drinks, go out in groups with a sober friend who can check in on others throughout the night.
Holistic Substance Abuse Treatment in Utah
At Maple Mountain Mental Health and Wellness, our compassionate team of clinical psychiatrists and experienced therapists is committed to providing supervised medication management and behavioral interventions to help adults recover from substance use disorders, including club drugs, stimulants, and psychedelics such as GHB, ecstasy, and cocaine.
Through a holistic, blended approach, we address each aspect of your health to support long-term recovery and deep, whole-person healing. Contact our admissions team for trusted support today.
Sources
[1] Tindall, J. 2019. GHB killed my son – and how many others? BBC Radio.
[2] DEA. 2020. Drug Fact Sheet: GHB.
[3] Navarro, J. et al. 2008. Anxiogenic-like effects of gamma-hydroxybutyric acid (GHB). Psicothema.
[4] Smith, E. et al. (1997). Gamma-hydroxybutyrate: an emerging drug of abuse that causes physical dependence. Addiction (Abingdon, England), 92(1), 89–96.
[5] Demetrovics, Z. et al. (2010). The involvement of gamma-hydroxybutyrate in reported sexual assaults: a systematic review. Journal of psychopharmacology (Oxford, England), 24(9), 1281–1287.
[6] Freestone, J. et al. 2025. More Australians are overdosing on GHB. But there are ways to reduce your risk. UNSW Sydney.
