Gamma hydroxybutyrate (GHB)

General Information

Gamma-hydroxybutyrate (GHB also known as 4-hydroxybutyric acid) is an endogenous metabolite, present in most mammalian tissues at nanomolar concentrations, that has been hypothesized to have a role as a neurotransmitter and is a metabolite of the inhibitory neurotransmitter gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA). It may be employed clinically as an anaesthetic and hypnotic agent, however GHB is used illicitly both as a steroid alternative for body building and also  as a ‘club’ or ‘date rape’ drug due to its hypnotic effect and lack of colour or odour. Euphoria, increased sex drive, and tranquillity are reported positive effects of GHB abuse. Negative effects may include sweating, loss of consciousness (reported by 69 percent of users), nausea, hallucinations, amnesia, and coma, among other adverse effects. Several metabolic precursors to GHB, such as gamma-butyrolactone (GBL) and 1,4-butanediol, and GBL analogues such as gamma-valerolactone (GVL), have also been subject to abuse. GHB, either as the primary agent or as a metabolite of GBL or 1,4-butanediol, may therefore be measured when there is a question as to whether a drink may have been spiked. However, GHB is metabolised quickly with the drug undetectable in urine 12 hours post dose. This assay will not detect GVL use.