GHB and GBL

G is consumed by drinking (diluted in non-alcoholic beverages) or it can sometimes be snorted (powder form).

G is a depressant substance and can induce various physical and mental effects. The effects of G are influenced by dosage, frequency of use, and personal tolerance (for example body weight or whether you have eaten).

With G the high comes after about 20 minutes, lasting about one hour and up to four hours.

Effects include decreased blood pressure, reduced heart rate, slower breathing and muscle relaxation. Use also often increases sociability and talkativeness, relaxation (similar to drinking alcohol), sexual disinhibition and sex drive.

G is an extremely dangerous chemsex drug. Because it’s so sensitive to dosage, it is the biggest cause of death amongst people who engage in chemsex.

Taking G can result in nausea, vomiting, dizziness, weakened muscles, reduced coordination, slow breathing, unconsciousness (G-sleep), coma, respiratory and cardiac arrest, and choking on tongue or vomit. It can also result in drowsiness, temporary memory loss, and an uncontrollable need to sleep.

G is addictive and regular use can lead to physical and psychological dependence.

If someone’s taken too much G and overdoses, they may fall unconscious (known as ‘going under’) or become very confused and start convulsing (sometimes called ‘G-ing out’). It’s very difficult to wake them until the G wears off. In severe cases of overdose, breathing stops. This can be fatal.

Read our ‘What to do in a G emergency’ page for further advice.

If you are with someone who is unresponsive or experiences seizures, call 999 immediately.

The following tips could help reduce the harms associated with G.

Dosage and measurement

There is NO SAFE DOSE. Whatever you may have been told there are too many variables to be able to advise what dose is safe.

Precisely measure your dose with a syringe with millilitre markings. The strength of G varies, so if you’re not sure how strong it is, go for a lower dose. A little G goes a long way, with a typical dose varying from 0.5ml to 1ml. It’s always better to measure your own dose.

Timing and ‘stacking’

Allow at least a two hour gap between doses. Remember that re-dosing will have more potent effects than the last dose. This is known as a ‘stacking’ effect. For this reason, it’s best to lower your dose (between 0.2ml or 0.4ml).

It can be helpful to make a note of the time to keep track of dosing. Be aware that overdosing is easy to do and comes on with little warning.  

Combining substances

Avoid combining G with ketamine or other depressants, as it increases the risk of overdose significantly. For the same reason, alcohol should never be consumed when taking G.

Regular G use can lead to physical dependence. Dependency can develop in as little as a week of daily dosing.

In this circumstance, stopping should be under professional supervision as symptoms can be severe and life threatening.

GHB and GBL have been re-classified given the dangers of death and with them being weaponised for use in ‘date-rape’ situations to Class B drugs with punishable offenses of up to five years in prison for possession and up to 14 years for selling or supplying.

Using or intending to use GHB and GBL as date-rape drugs carries a penalty of 10 years in prison, through the 2003 Sexual Offences Act.