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==Background==
*Abbreviation: GHB
*Frequently referred to as the "date rape drug" 
*Central nervous system depressant
*GABA-B agonist (as opposed to GABA-A agonists - [[alcohol]], [[benzodiazepines]], etc)
*Abused for:
**Body building or sleep enhancement  
**euphoric, sexual, stimulant, and relaxant effects
**Surreptitious drugging to facilitate sexual assault
*Also used therapeutically in the treatment of narcolepsy<ref>Mamelak M, Scharf MB, Woods M. Treatment of narcolepsy with gamma-hydroxybutyrate. A review of clinical and sleep laboratory findings. Sleep. 1986;9(1 Pt 2):285-289. doi:10.1093/sleep/9.1.285</ref>

===Pharmacokinetics===
*Effects start in 15-20 minutes, peak in 30-60 minutes, 
*Lipid soluble, readily crosses the blood brain barrier 
*Elimination is dose-dependent; half-life of 20-50 minutes
*The duration of GHB's clinical effects depends upon the dose, and ranges from 2.5-4 hours

===Pharmacology===
*Is a metabolite and precursor of GABA
*Interacts with GHB-specific receptors and also acts as a direct agonist of GABA-B receptors
*Affects multiple neurotransmitter systems, including those of opioids, dopamine, serotonin, glutamate, and acetylcholine
*Gamma butyrolactone (GBL) and 1,4 butanediol (BD) are GHB analogs that are rapidly metabolized to GHB after ingestion, with the same toxic and recreational effects