Let’s talk about GBL/GHB in Australia We’ve seen an increase in harm caused by GBL/GHB in New Zealand. Let’s take a closer look at what’s going on, and how to stay safer. High Alert has been keeping an eye on the increasing trend of GBL/GHB consumption across New Zealand. Recently, we’ve received reports of more and more people reporting to Emergency Departments with GBL overdoses, particularly in the Wellington region. What is GBL exactly? The first thing to be aware of is that GBL and GHB are actually different things, but they’re often used interchangeably. You can’t assume that what you think is GHB is actually GHB, and not GBL, and vice versa. It’s also referred to as G, fantasy, liquid ecstasy, rinse, juice, and wazz. GHB (Gamma hydroxybutyrate) is an anaesthetic, with relaxing, euphoric effects, which usually occur within 15-20 minutes and last up to 3-4 hours. GBL (Gamma butyrolactone) is a “prodrug” to GHB, which means it’s converted to GHB inside the body after swallowing. It has a faster onset of action, and is more potent, so smaller doses are needed to achieve the same effect. GHB was originally developed in the US as a pre-medication to help patients sleep before surgery. The sedative properties of the drug, as well as its neutral odour and taste, has led to a reputation for it being used to facilitate sexual assault. People who take GBL/GHB report feeling euphoric, with a loss of inhibitions, increased confidence and higher libido. Other effects can include: Hallucinations Problems with vision Drowsiness Dizziness Slow heart rate Nausea or vomiting Memory loss Loss of consciousness GBL/GHB presents as a clear, oily liquid, and is usually mixed with water or soft drinks. It is sold in small bottles or capsules. What are the risks involved in taking GBL? A big risk is that it’s very easy to overdose on GHB/GBL, because the doses are very small, and strength can vary a lot from bottle to bottle. This means the difference between the desired effect and an overdose could be a matter of millilitres. This is particularly problematic if you think you have GHB, and take a GHB-sized dose, but you actually have GBL, which requires a much smaller dose. There’s also an increased overdose risk when people re-dose too soon after their previous dose. The sedative nature of the substance can leave a person incoherent or even unconscious, and unable to give consent. People who take GHB/GBL often report a loss of inhibitions and a higher libido. While you might think you’re all having a good time, it’s important to remember that if someone can’t consent, it’s sexual assault. GBL/GHB is a central nervous depressant, which means it slows down brain activity, and effects bodily functions like breathing and the heart. This makes it particularly risky for people with existing heart or breathing problems, epilepsy, sensitivity to other central nervous system depressants, or general poor health. While mixing substances is always a bad idea, this is especially true with GHB/GBL and other depressants like alcohol. Mixing them can lead to nausea, breathing problems and even death. It can delay the time it takes for the effects to kick in – this can lead to re-dosing which increases the risk of overdose. Evidence is emerging that dependence on GHB/GBL can develop quickly, with rapid onset of unpleasant withdrawal symptoms like hallucinations, insomnia, tremors, psychosis, severe anxiety, chest pains, and muscle aches. These effects can begin within 1-2 hours after the last dose, and can last a number of days. Withdrawal can pose serious health risks. If you’re worried about your use of GBL and want to stop using it, please get medical advice. You can also call the Alcohol Drug Helpline on 0800 787 797, or text 8681, for confidential, non-judgmental expert advice. It’s free and open 24 hours every day. Check out the NZ Drug Foundation for more information on managing withdrawal. While not using drugs is always the safest option, there are some things you can do to reduce harm from taking GBL Because there is such a fine line between the amount required for the desired effects and the amount which leads to overdose, it’s important to take extreme care with dosing. Remember, smaller doses pose less risk, especially since it’s very difficult to know how strong any particular batch is. Avoid re-dosing, and don’t assume you can take the same amount as your friends – people can react very differently to GBL. Treat every bottle of GBL/GHB with caution and don’t assume it’s the same strength, even if it all came together. Due to the chemical differences between GHB and GBL, it’s also safest to not mix different bottles in case they’re not the same thing. Avoid mixing with alcohol, and other depressants like ketamine. This can lead to nausea, breathing problems, even death. If vomiting or convulsions occur, immediately call 111 and tell emergency staff what the person has taken. You won’t get in trouble. GBL/GHB affects your memory, so always record the time you’ve taken the dose and keep in a visible place. Store GBL/GHB safely, especially out of the reach of children. If you can, use food colouring to identify it so it doesn’t accidentally get mixed in with other drinks or water. This can reduce the possibility of accidental overdose. Avoid frequent use – if you are experiencing withdrawal symptoms, please seek medical advice before stopping. As with all drug use, it’s safest to have people around that you trust and who have knowledge of first aid. Don’t take it alone or with strangers. Remember, always call an ambulance if someone: is unconscious; stops breathing; has a seizure; is extremely agitated for longer than 15 minutes; has chest pain or breathing difficulties for longer than 5 minutes. Call 111 immediately and then place the person in the recovery position and stay with them until the ambulance arrives. Tell the emergency responders what the person has taken – you won’t get in trouble and this can save someone’s life.
