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There has been somewhat limited research into the GHB receptor; however, there is evidence that activation of the GHB receptor in some brain areas results in the release of [[glutamate]], the principal excitatory neurotransmitter.<ref>Selective γ-hydroxybutyric acid receptor ligands increase extracellular glutamate in the hippocampus, but fail to activate G protein and to produce the sedative/hypnotic effect of γ-hydroxybutyric acid | http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1046/j.1471-4159.2003.02037.x/abstract</ref> Drugs that selectively activate the GHB receptor cause absence seizures in high doses, as do GHB and [[GABA]]<sub>B</sub> agonists.<ref>Selective γ-hydroxybutyric acid receptor ligands increase extracellular glutamate in the hippocampus, but fail to activate G protein and to produce the sedative/hypnotic effect of γ-hydroxybutyric acid | http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1046/j.1471-4159.2003.02037.x/abstract</ref>
There has been somewhat limited research into the GHB receptor; however, there is evidence that activation of the GHB receptor in some brain areas results in the release of [[glutamate]], the principal excitatory neurotransmitter.<ref>Selective γ-hydroxybutyric acid receptor ligands increase extracellular glutamate in the hippocampus, but fail to activate G protein and to produce the sedative/hypnotic effect of γ-hydroxybutyric acid | http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1046/j.1471-4159.2003.02037.x/abstract</ref> Drugs that selectively activate the GHB receptor cause absence seizures in high doses, as do GHB and [[GABA]]<sub>B</sub> agonists.<ref>Selective γ-hydroxybutyric acid receptor ligands increase extracellular glutamate in the hippocampus, but fail to activate G protein and to produce the sedative/hypnotic effect of γ-hydroxybutyric acid | http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1046/j.1471-4159.2003.02037.x/abstract</ref>


Activation of both the GHB receptor and [[GABA]]<sub>B</sub> is responsible for the addictive profile of GHB. GHB's effect on [[dopamine]] release is biphasic.<ref>Drosophila [[GABA]]<sub>B</sub> receptors are involved in behavioral effects of γ-hydroxybutyric acid (GHB) | http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0014299905007442</ref> Low concentrations stimulate [[dopamine]] release via the GHB receptor.<ref>A specific gamma-hydroxybutyrate receptor ligand possesses both antagonistic and anticonvulsant properties | http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/2173754</ref> Higher concentrations inhibit [[dopamine]] release via [[GABA]]<sub>B</sub> receptors as do other [[GABA]]<sub>B</sub> [[agonists]] such as [[baclofen]] and [[phenibut]].<ref>Tonic GABA-ergic modulation of striatal dopamine release studied by in vivo microdialysis in the freely moving rat | http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/001429999500369V</ref> After an initial phase of inhibition, [[dopamine]] release is then increased via the GHB receptor.  
Activation of both the GHB receptor and [[GABA]]<sub>B</sub> is responsible for the addictive profile of GHB. GHB's effect on [[dopamine]] release is biphasic.<ref>Drosophila [[GABA]]<sub>B</sub> receptors are involved in behavioral effects of γ-hydroxybutyric acid (GHB) | http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0014299905007442</ref> This means that while low concentrations stimulate [[dopamine]] release via the GHB receptor.<ref>A specific gamma-hydroxybutyrate receptor ligand possesses both antagonistic and anticonvulsant properties | http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/2173754</ref> Higher concentrations inhibit [[dopamine]] release via [[GABA]]<sub>B</sub> receptors.<ref>Tonic GABA-ergic modulation of striatal dopamine release studied by in vivo microdialysis in the freely moving rat | http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/001429999500369V</ref> After an initial phase of inhibition, [[dopamine]] release is then increased via the GHB receptor.  


This explains the paradoxical mix of sedative and stimulatory properties of GHB, as well as the so-called "rebound" effect, experienced by individuals using GHB as a sleeping agent, wherein they awake suddenly after several hours of GHB-induced deep sleep. That is to say that, over time, the concentration of GHB in the system decreases below the threshold for significant [[GABA]]<sub>B</sub> receptor activation and activates predominantly the GHB receptor, leading to wakefulness.
This explains the paradoxical mix of sedative and stimulatory properties of GHB, as well as the so-called "rebound" effect, experienced by individuals using GHB as a sleeping agent, wherein they awake suddenly after several hours of GHB-induced deep sleep. That is to say that, over time, the concentration of GHB in the system decreases below the threshold for significant [[GABA]]<sub>B</sub> receptor activation and activates predominantly the GHB receptor, leading to wakefulness.

Revision as of 14:02, 1 May 2014

GHB
noframe
noframe
The skeletal formula of GHB.
Dosage
Differs between its varying forms.
Duration
Total Duration 1.5 - 3 hrs
Onset 15 - 30 mins
Initial effects 15 - 20 mins
Peak 30 - 90 mins
Coming down 45 - 60 mins
Hang over / After effects 1 - 36 hrs

GHB, also known as γ-Hydroxybutyric acid and 4-hydroxybutanoic acid, is a naturally occurring substance with depressant effects which is found in the human central nervous system, as well as in wine, beef, small citrus fruits, and in small amounts in almost all animals.[1]

GHB as the sodium salt, known as sodium oxybate (INN) or by the trade name Xyrem,[2] is used to treat cataplexy[3] and excessive daytime sleepiness in patients with narcolepsy. It has also been used in a medical setting as a general anesthetic, to treat conditions such as insomnia, clinical depression, narcolepsy, and alcoholism, and to improve athletic performance. It is also used as an intoxicant (illegally in many jurisdictions) or as a date rape drug.[4]

GHB is naturally produced in the human body's cells. As a supplement or drug, it is used most commonly in the form of a salt. GHB is also produced as a result of fermentation, and so is found in small quantities in some beers and wines. Succinic semialdehyde dehydrogenase deficiency is a disease that causes GHB to accumulate in the blood.

Chemistry

Pharmacology

GHB has at least two distinct binding sites[5] in the central nervous system. GHB is an agonist at the newly characterized GHB receptor, which is excitatory,[6][7] and it is a weak agonist at the GABAB receptor, which is inhibitory.[8]

GHB induces the accumulation of either a derivative of tryptophan or tryptophan itself, possibly by increasing tryptophan transport across the blood–brain barrier. GHB-induced stimulation may be due to this increase in tryptophan transport to the brain and in its uptake by serotonergic cells. As the serotonergic system may be involved in the regulation of sleep, mood, and anxiety, the stimulation of this system by high doses of GHB may be involved in certain neuropharmacological events induced by GHB administration.

However, at therapeutic doses, GHB reaches much higher concentrations in the brain and activates GABAB receptors, which are primarily responsible for its sedative effects.[9] GHB's sedative effects are blocked by GABAB antagonists.

There has been somewhat limited research into the GHB receptor; however, there is evidence that activation of the GHB receptor in some brain areas results in the release of glutamate, the principal excitatory neurotransmitter.[10] Drugs that selectively activate the GHB receptor cause absence seizures in high doses, as do GHB and GABAB agonists.[11]

Activation of both the GHB receptor and GABAB is responsible for the addictive profile of GHB. GHB's effect on dopamine release is biphasic.[12] This means that while low concentrations stimulate dopamine release via the GHB receptor.[13] Higher concentrations inhibit dopamine release via GABAB receptors.[14] After an initial phase of inhibition, dopamine release is then increased via the GHB receptor.

This explains the paradoxical mix of sedative and stimulatory properties of GHB, as well as the so-called "rebound" effect, experienced by individuals using GHB as a sleeping agent, wherein they awake suddenly after several hours of GHB-induced deep sleep. That is to say that, over time, the concentration of GHB in the system decreases below the threshold for significant GABAB receptor activation and activates predominantly the GHB receptor, leading to wakefulness.

Subjective effects

Physical effects

Cognitive effects

Toxicity and harm potential

Tolerance and addiction potential

Interactions

See also

References

  1. ↑ Weil, Andrew; Winifred Rosen (1993). "Depressants". From Chocolate to Morphine (2nd ed.). Boston/New York: Houghton Mifflin Company. p. 77. ISBN 0-395-66079-3.
  2. ↑ http://www.reuters.com/finance/stocks/companyProfile?rpc=66&symbol=JAZZ.O
  3. ↑ Sodium Oxybate | http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/druginfo/meds/a605032.html
  4. ↑ GHB, GBL and 1,4BD as Date Rape Drugs | http://web.archive.org/web/20120510151441/http://www.justice.gov/dea//ongoing/daterapep.html
  5. ↑ Gammahydroxybutyrate: An endogenous regulator of energy metabolism | http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0149763489800533
  6. ↑ γ-Hydroxybutyric acid (GHB) and γ-aminobutyric acidB receptor (GABABR) binding sites are distinctive from one another: molecular evidence | http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0028390804002527
  7. ↑ A mechanism for γ-hydroxybutyrate (GHB) as a drug and a substance of abuse | http://www.medecinesciences.org/articles/medsci/abs/2005/03/medsci2005213p284/medsci2005213p284.html
  8. ↑ A mechanism for γ-hydroxybutyrate (GHB) as a drug and a substance of abuse | http://www.medecinesciences.org/articles/medsci/abs/2005/03/medsci2005213p284/medsci2005213p284.html
  9. ↑ Drosophila GABAB receptors are involved in behavioral effects of γ-hydroxybutyric acid (GHB) | http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0014299905007442
  10. ↑ Selective γ-hydroxybutyric acid receptor ligands increase extracellular glutamate in the hippocampus, but fail to activate G protein and to produce the sedative/hypnotic effect of γ-hydroxybutyric acid | http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1046/j.1471-4159.2003.02037.x/abstract
  11. ↑ Selective γ-hydroxybutyric acid receptor ligands increase extracellular glutamate in the hippocampus, but fail to activate G protein and to produce the sedative/hypnotic effect of γ-hydroxybutyric acid | http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1046/j.1471-4159.2003.02037.x/abstract
  12. ↑ Drosophila GABAB receptors are involved in behavioral effects of γ-hydroxybutyric acid (GHB) | http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0014299905007442
  13. ↑ A specific gamma-hydroxybutyrate receptor ligand possesses both antagonistic and anticonvulsant properties | http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/2173754
  14. ↑ Tonic GABA-ergic modulation of striatal dopamine release studied by in vivo microdialysis in the freely moving rat | http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/001429999500369V
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