Who uses GHB and its analogs?

What do they look like?

What are GHB and its analogs?

How are they abused?

What are the risks?

What are they called?

What are GHB and its analogs?

What do they look like?

How are they abused?

GHB (gamma-hydroxybutyrate) is a 

powerful central nervous system 

depressant that the human body 

produces in small amounts. A 

synthetic (man-made) version of 

GHB was developed in the 1920s as 

an anesthetic. Individuals abuse 

synthetic GHB because of its euphoric 

and sedative effects. Because of its 

anesthetic properties, GHB also has 

been used by sexual predators to 

incapacitate their victims.

GHB analogs, which include GBL, 

BD, GHV, and GVL, are drugs that 

possess chemical structures that 

closely resemble GHB. These analogs 

produce effects similar to those associated with GHB and are often used in 

its place.

GHB and its analogs typically are 

sold either as a white powder or as a 

clear liquid. The drugs often have a 

salty taste.

GHB and its analogs usually are 

taken orally. Because of the drugs’ 

salty taste, they often are mixed with 

a flavored beverage. Sexual predators 

who administer GHB or an analog to 

their victims typically slip the drug 

into a drink, often at a bar or party.

Who uses GHB and its analogs?

What are the risks?

Although information about the 

extent of GHB and analog use in the 

United States is limited, the data that 

are available indicate that these drugs 

primarily are used by young people. 

According to the Drug Abuse Warning 

Network, individuals aged 18 to 25 

account for 58 percent of all GHB 

mentions in drug-related emergency 

department visits. 

GHB use among high school students is a particular concern. Nearly 

2 percent of high school seniors in the 

United States used the drug at least 

once in the past year, according to the 

University of Michigan’s Monitoring the 

Future Survey.

Use of GHB and its analogs can 

cause nausea, vomiting, delusions, 

depression, dizziness, hallucinations, 

seizures, respiratory distress, loss of 

consciousness, slowed heart rate, 

lowered blood pressure, amnesia, coma, 

and death. Mixing GHB or its analogs 

with alcohol is particularly dangerous 

because alcohol enhances the drug’s 

depressant effects. 

Sustained use of GHB or its analogs 

can lead to addiction, and chronic 

users experience withdrawal symptoms 

when they stop using the drugs. These 

symptoms include anxiety, insomnia, 

tremors, tachycardia (abnormally fast 

heart rate), delirium, and agitation. 

Users may experience these symptoms 

within 1 to 6 hours of their last dose, 

and the symptoms may persist for 

months. 

In addition to the risks associated 

with the drugs themselves, individuals 

who use GHB or its analogs may put 

themselves at risk of sexual assault. 

While many sexual predators lace 

unsuspecting victims’ drinks with the 

drugs, others offer GHB or an analog 

to victims who consume the drug without understanding the effects it will 

produce. 

The most common names for GHB 

are Georgia home boy, G, goop, grievous bodily harm, and liquid ecstasy. 

(Please see the Street Terms text box 

below for additional names.)

What are they called?

Who uses GHB and its analogs?

What do they look like?

What are GHB and its analogs?

How are they abused?

What are the risks?

What are they called?

What are GHB and its analogs?

What do they look like?

How are they abused?

GHB (gamma-hydroxybutyrate) is a 

powerful central nervous system 

depressant that the human body 

produces in small amounts. A 

synthetic (man-made) version of 

GHB was developed in the 1920s as 

an anesthetic. Individuals abuse 

synthetic GHB because of its euphoric 

and sedative effects. Because of its 

anesthetic properties, GHB also has 

been used by sexual predators to 

incapacitate their victims.

GHB analogs, which include GBL, 

BD, GHV, and GVL, are drugs that 

possess chemical structures that 

closely resemble GHB. These analogs 

produce effects similar to those associated with GHB and are often used in 

its place.

GHB and its analogs typically are 

sold either as a white powder or as a 

clear liquid. The drugs often have a 

salty taste.

GHB and its analogs usually are 

taken orally. Because of the drugs’ 

salty taste, they often are mixed with 

a flavored beverage. Sexual predators 

who administer GHB or an analog to 

their victims typically slip the drug 

into a drink, often at a bar or party.

Who uses GHB and its analogs?

What are the risks?

Although information about the 

extent of GHB and analog use in the 

United States is limited, the data that 

are available indicate that these drugs 

primarily are used by young people. 

According to the Drug Abuse Warning 

Network, individuals aged 18 to 25 

account for 58 percent of all GHB 

mentions in drug-related emergency 

department visits. 

GHB use among high school students is a particular concern. Nearly 

2 percent of high school seniors in the 

United States used the drug at least 

once in the past year, according to the 

University of Michigan’s Monitoring the 

Future Survey.

Use of GHB and its analogs can 

cause nausea, vomiting, delusions, 

depression, dizziness, hallucinations, 

seizures, respiratory distress, loss of 

consciousness, slowed heart rate, 

lowered blood pressure, amnesia, coma, 

and death. Mixing GHB or its analogs 

with alcohol is particularly dangerous 

because alcohol enhances the drug’s 

depressant effects. 

Sustained use of GHB or its analogs 

can lead to addiction, and chronic 

users experience withdrawal symptoms 

when they stop using the drugs. These 

symptoms include anxiety, insomnia, 

tremors, tachycardia (abnormally fast 

heart rate), delirium, and agitation. 

Users may experience these symptoms 

within 1 to 6 hours of their last dose, 

and the symptoms may persist for 

months. 

In addition to the risks associated 

with the drugs themselves, individuals 

who use GHB or its analogs may put 

themselves at risk of sexual assault. 

While many sexual predators lace 

unsuspecting victims’ drinks with the 

drugs, others offer GHB or an analog 

to victims who consume the drug without understanding the effects it will 

produce. 

The most common names for GHB 

are Georgia home boy, G, goop, grievous bodily harm, and liquid ecstasy. 

(Please see the Street Terms text box 

below for additional names.)

What are they called?

Cherry meth

Fantasy

G-riffic

Jib

Liquid E

Liquid X

Organic quaalude

Street Terms for

GHB and Its Analogs

erms for 

Salty water

Scoop

Sleep

Sleep-500

Soap

Vita-G
Coffeyville (KS) Police Department

G

and

H

Anal

B

ogs

Fast Facts

Call 814-532-4541 

to request NDIC products

For more information on illicit drugs 

check out our web site at:

Other products of interest:

Are GHB and its analogs illegal?

Check out Fast Facts on:

www.usdoj.gov/ndic

Are GHB and its analogs illegal?

Yes, GHB and its analogs are 

illegal. GHB is a Schedule I substance under the Controlled 

Substances Act. Schedule I drugs, 

which include heroin and MDMA, 

have a high potential for abuse and 

serve no legitimate medical purpose. GHB analogs are treated as 

Schedule I drugs if they are 

intended for human consumption.

Cover photo © Porrata Consulting

Check out Fast Facts on:

, Crack cocaine

, Crystal methamphetamine

, Heroin

, Inhalants

, Jimsonweed

, Ketamine

, Khat

, LSD

, Marijuana

, MDMA

, Methamphetamine

, PCP

, Powdered cocaine

, Prescription drugs

, Yaba NDIC Product No. 2003-L0559-009

National Drug Intelligence Center

a component of the 

U.S. Department of Justice

051503

Call 814-532-4541 

to request NDIC products

www.usdoj.gov/ndic

Other products of interest:

For more information on illicit drugs 

check out our web site at:

www.usdoj.gov/ndic 

Call 814-532-4541 

to request NDIC products

, Huffing—The Abuse of Inhalants

, Prescription Drug Abuse and Youth

, Drugs,Youth, and the Internet

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