GBL USE SIGNS

An example of a designer drug, which is well known as a date rape drug, is Gamma Butyro-lactone (GBL). This drug breaks down in to a liquid form (Gamma Hydroxybutrate or GHB) that does not have any smell and its effects resemble the effects of Gamma Butyro-lactone.

Some of the effects of GHB when taken at small amounts are intoxication, increased libido, euphoria and the user becomes more sociable.

GHB is used especially at rave clubs. The effects of GHB when taken in excess are unconsciousness, amnesia, sleepiness, faintness, vomiting, irritability, depressed breathing and visual disturbances. The user may suffer from these effects for one-an-half to three hours approximately.

When inside the body, GBL is broken down in to GHB. However, GBL has better Bioavailability than GHB on equimolar basis because GBL absorption is better than GHB absorption. The effect produced by GHB depends on the amount taken and some of the effects include bradycardia, hypothermia, respiratory depression, coma, inability to judge, hostility, convulsions, trembling, nausea and hypotonia. The respiratory system and the central nervous system will become depressed when GHB is combined with ethanol. The symptoms generally go away after two to ninety-six hours with the help of proper care. In case where GHB is the only intoxicant then a person can also die. The poisonous effects of GHB and GBL are more or less the same. However, the effects of GBL are restricted. GHB does not have any remedy and the healing process includes supportive therapy till the toxicity is reduced. If GHB is stopped by the user who takes this drug constantly and in excess then he may suffer from withdrawal symptoms like nervousness, trembling and insomnia.