Information on GHB Withdrawal Delirium Syndrome

GHB, a naturally occurring metabolite of gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA), is an inhibitory neurotransmitter that mediates sleep cycles, cerebral metabolism, memory and emotional control. Synthetic GHB, originally used by body builders for its putative anabolic effects, has more recently been abused for its sedative, euphoriant and aphrodisiac effects and as a “rave” and “date rape” drug.

Information on GHB Withdrawal Delirium Syndrome

Gamma-hydroxybutyrate (GHB) is the most dangerous and well-known drug to abuse, is unfamiliar to many psychiatric professionals. Recent cases of severe GHB withdrawal delirium have occurred in psychiatric settings, making it necessary for psychiatric professionals to be informed about the management of these patients.

GHB, a naturally occurring metabolite of gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA), is an inhibitory neurotransmitter that mediates sleep cycles, cerebral metabolism, memory and emotional control. Synthetic GHB, originally used by body builders for its putative anabolic effects, has more recently been abused for its sedative, euphoriant and aphrodisiac effects and as a “rave” and “date rape” drug.

GHB was previously available in health food stores and gyms, and it was marketed for its purported muscle building and fat burning effects. In 1990, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) banned the manufacture and distribution of GHB after receiving several reports of abuse leading to coma and seizures. Precursor compounds such as gamma-butyrolactone (GBL) and 1, 4-butanediol (BD), which can be converted by the body or simple chemical processing into GHB, remained available over the Internet. GHB is easily manufactured by illicit laboratories or by “home brew” recipes that have been published in books and on the Internet. Despite the FDA’s attempts to control distribution of these compounds, they remain widely available to body build...

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