Description
A euphoric depressant which is prescribed as a sleep aid and sometimes to help with Alcohol detox. Also used as a recreational depressant, as a non-toxic alternative to Alcohol. Despite not having Alcohol's toxicity it is risky due to among other things inconsistent concentration in commonly sold solution form, and can be very dangerous if taken with other depressants.
Dosage
Oral
| Light | Common | Strong | Heavy | Dangerous |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0.5-1.5 g | 1-2.5 g | 2-3.5 g | 3.5-5 g | 7-7 g+ |
Duration
Oral
Safer Use
- NOTE: Tends to induce heavy sedation from about the 3g mark.
- Alcohol, benzos and other depressants
Detection Times
| Method | Detection Window |
|---|---|
| Blood | 4â8 hours |
| Urine | 8â12 hours |
Note: Very short detection window due to rapid metabolism. Not part of standard drug panels. Requires specialized testing with very short collection windows.
Interactions
26 known interactions with other substances.
Both substances cause ataxia and bring a risk of vomiting and unconsciousness. If the user falls unconscious while under the influence there is a severe risk of vomit aspiration if they are not placed in the recovery position.
Both substances cause ataxia and bring a risk of vomiting and unconsciousness. If the patient falls unconscious while under the influence there is a severe risk of vomit aspiration if they are not placed in the recovery position.
Both substances cause ataxia and bring a risk of vomiting and unconsciousness. If the patient falls unconscious while under the influence there is a severe risk of vomit aspiration if they are not placed in the recovery position. This combination is hard to predict
Details of this combination are not well understood but PCP generally interacts in an unpredictable manner.
Even in very low doses this combination rapidly leads to memory loss, severe ataxia and unconsciousness. There is a high risk of vomit aspiration while unconscious.
The two substances potentiate each other strongly and unpredictably, very rapidly leading to unconsciousness. While unconscious, vomit aspiration is a risk if not placed in the recovery position
The sedative effects of this combination can lead to dangerous respiratory depression.
The two substances potentiate each other strongly and unpredictably, very rapidly leading to unconsciousness. While unconscious, vomit aspiration is a risk if not placed in the recovery position.
Both substances potentiate the ataxia and sedation caused by the other and can lead to unexpected loss of consciousness at high doses. While unconscious, vomit aspiration is a risk if not placed in the recovery position. Memory blackouts are likely.
Stimulants increase respiration rate allowing a higher dose of sedatives. If the stimulant wears off first then the opiate may overcome the patient and cause respiratory arrest.
Large amounts of GHB may overwhelm the effects of MDMA on the comedown.
Stimulants increase respiration rate allowing a higher dose of sedatives. If the stimulant wears off first then the opiate may overcome the patient and cause respiratory arrest. Likewise the G can wear off and leave a dangerous concentration of cocaine behind
Legal Status
This information is provided for educational purposes only and does NOT constitute legal advice. Laws change frequently and may vary by region, state, or municipality. Always verify the current legal status in your jurisdiction before making any decisions. Open Mind assumes no liability for the accuracy, completeness, or timeliness of this data.
Country Details Show 25 countries
MX Mexico Illegal
Controlled substance. No confirmed medical availability.
GHB is controlled in Mexico. There is no confirmed availability of sodium oxybate (Xyrem) in the Mexican pharmaceutical market.
BR Brazil Illegal
Class B1 (Psychoactive drugs). No medical GHB programme.
GHB is classified under Class B1 (Psychoactive drugs) by ANVISA. No sodium oxybate medical programme exists in Brazil.
CO Colombia Illegal
Controlled substance. No medical programme.
GHB is controlled in Colombia. There is no medical GHB programme. Personal use may benefit from Constitutional Court ruling C-221/94 protections.
AR Argentina Illegal
Controlled substance. No medical programme.
GHB is controlled in Argentina. No medical programme for sodium oxybate exists.
PE Peru Illegal
Controlled substance. No medical programme.
GHB is controlled in Peru. No medical programme for sodium oxybate exists.
NZ New Zealand Illegal
Class B controlled drug under the Misuse of Drugs Act 1975.
GHB is a Class B drug in New Zealand. There is no confirmed availability of sodium oxybate for medical use.
ZA South Africa Illegal
Controlled substance. No medical programme.
GHB is controlled under South African drug legislation. No medical GHB programme exists.
IL Israel Illegal
GHB and GBL proscribed since 2007.
Israel proscribed both GHB and its precursor GBL in 2007 under the Dangerous Drugs Ordinance.
JP Japan Illegal
Controlled narcotic drug.
GHB is classified as a controlled narcotic drug in Japan. No medical GHB or sodium oxybate programme exists.
SG Singapore Illegal
Class A controlled drug under the Misuse of Drugs Act.
GHB is a Class A controlled drug in Singapore, carrying very severe penalties for possession and trafficking.
DE Germany Medical Only
BtMG Anlage III. Prescription narcotic. Xyrem available for narcolepsy.
GHB is listed in BtMG Anlage III (marketable with prescription). Sodium oxybate (Xyrem) is prescribed for narcolepsy with cataplexy. Illicit GHB use carries the same penalties as other BtMG narcotics.
AT Austria Medical Only
Controlled under SMG. Sodium oxybate available by prescription (EMA approved).
GHB is controlled under the Suchtmittelgesetz. Sodium oxybate (Xyrem) is available by prescription via EMA authorization. Personal use may be addressed through the "Therapie statt Strafe" framework.
CH Switzerland Medical Only
Controlled narcotic. Xyrem available by prescription.
GHB is controlled under the BetÀubungsmittelgesetz. Sodium oxybate (Xyrem) is available as a prescription narcotic for narcolepsy treatment.
NL Netherlands Medical Only
Opium Act List I (hard drug). Xyrem available by prescription (EMA).
GHB was added to List I of the Opiumwet (hard drugs). Sodium oxybate (Xyrem) is available by prescription via EMA authorization. GHB has been a significant recreational drug concern in the Netherlands, particularly in nightlife settings.
GB United Kingdom Medical Only
Class B drug (reclassified April 2022). Xyrem is Schedule 2.
GHB was reclassified from Class C to Class B in April 2022 following its involvement in drug-facilitated sexual assaults. Sodium oxybate (Xyrem) remains available as a Schedule 2 controlled drug for narcolepsy treatment.
FR France Medical Only
Controlled narcotic (stupéfiant). Authorized as anesthetic. Xyrem available.
GHB is classified as a stupéfiant in France. It is authorized for use as an anesthetic in hospital settings. Sodium oxybate (Xyrem) is available by prescription for narcolepsy.
ES Spain Medical Only
Controlled substance. Xyrem available by prescription (EMA approved).
GHB is a controlled substance in Spain. Sodium oxybate (Xyrem) is available by prescription via EMA authorization. Private personal use is not criminally penalized, consistent with Spanish drug law.
IT Italy Medical Only
Tabella I. Alcover prescribed for alcohol dependence and narcolepsy.
Italy has a unique medical application: GHB is marketed as Alcover for treating alcohol dependence, in addition to narcolepsy. Italy is one of the few countries where GHB-based medication is used for alcohol withdrawal treatment.
CZ Czech Republic Medical Only
Controlled substance. Xyrem available by prescription (EMA).
GHB is controlled in the Czech Republic. Small amounts for personal use are treated as a misdemeanor. Xyrem is available by prescription through EMA authorization.
BE Belgium Medical Only
Controlled substance. Xyrem available by prescription.
GHB is a controlled substance in Belgium. Sodium oxybate (Xyrem) is available by prescription. UCB, a major Belgian pharmaceutical company, has been involved in related pharmaceutical development.
PL Poland Medical Only
Controlled substance. Xyrem available by prescription (EMA).
GHB is a controlled substance in Poland. Sodium oxybate (Xyrem) is available by prescription through EMA authorization.
US United States Medical Only
Schedule I (illicit GHB) / Schedule III (Xyrem/Lumryz). Prescribed for narcolepsy.
GHB has a unique dual scheduling: illicit GHB is Schedule I, while pharmaceutical sodium oxybate (Xyrem/Lumryz) is Schedule III prescribed for narcolepsy with cataplexy. GHB is subject to the "date rape drug" sentencing enhancement under federal law (Hillary J. Farias and Samantha Reid Date-Rape Drug Prohibition Act of 2000).
CA Canada Medical Only
Schedule I under CDSA. Sodium oxybate available via Special Access Programme.
GHB is Schedule I under the CDSA. Sodium oxybate may be available through Health Canada's Special Access Programme for narcolepsy treatment.
AU Australia Medical Only
S9 Prohibited substance / S8 as sodium oxybate. Medical access available.
Illicit GHB is Schedule 9 (Prohibited substance) under Australian Poisons Standard, but sodium oxybate is available as a Schedule 8 (Controlled drug) prescription medication for narcolepsy. GHB has been associated with drug-facilitated sexual assault cases.
PT Portugal Decriminalized
Controlled. Personal possession decriminalized under 2001 reform. Xyrem available.
GHB is a controlled substance in Portugal. Under the 2001 decriminalization law, personal possession is treated as an administrative matter. Sodium oxybate (Xyrem) is also available by prescription for narcolepsy.
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