GHB

Depressant · popular

A fast-acting depressant with a very narrow margin between a pleasant, sociable high and emergency-level unconsciousness - sometimes under a gram apart. Onset is 10-20 minutes and cannot be waited out safely if you re-dose too early.

GXyremSodium oxybate

Dose and effect data: PsychonautWiki (CC BY-SA 4.0) and TripSit (PolyForm Noncommercial 1.0.0).

Before you dose

⚠This substance has combinations that are life-threatening. Check the Interactions tab before mixing anything.

Dose

Published population range

Threshold0.5 g

Light0.5–1 g

Common1–2.5 g

Strong2.5–4 g

Heavy / risk zone≥ 4 g

Basis: Scaled from the published 70 kg range. Clinical GHB dosing is 10-35 mg/kg.

GHB has one of the steepest dose-response curves of any recreational drug: the difference between a good dose and a coma dose can be under a gram.

Showing published ranges.

Check an amount you already have

Timeline (oral)

Onset5–30 minutes

Come-up10–20 minutes

Peak45–90 minutes

Offset15–30 minutes

Afterglow120–240 minutes

Total90–150 minutes

Bars show relative time in each phase, scaled to the total duration. Each phase keeps its colour in the list above.

Expected effects

Euphoria
Sociability and talkativeness
Deep relaxation
Increased libido
Anxiolysis
Enhanced sensory perception
Disinhibition

Possible side effects

Dizziness and nausea
Sudden unconsciousness - the margin between the two is tiny
Respiratory depression, especially mixed with alcohol or other depressants
Amnesia and blackouts
Vomiting while unconscious (choking risk)
Seizure-like activity at high doses
Severe dependence and dangerous withdrawal

Known toxicity

considered to be a safe and non-toxic substance when used responsibly or medically
Doses above 10 grams are associated with a risk of death

Harm reduction

Measure with a syringe or a graduated pipette. Bottle caps and 'a mouthful' are how people end up in a coma.
Wait at least 90-120 minutes before any re-dose. The first dose can still be climbing at 60 minutes.
Never mix with alcohol or other depressants, even a couple of drinks.
GHB is highly dose-dependent on an empty stomach - take it after eating and account for that.
If someone is 'awake but unresponsive', snoring loudly, or cannot be woken: emergency services, recovery position, monitor breathing.
Dependence on GHB develops fast and its withdrawal is a medical emergency requiring hospital care.
Depressants are the class where mixing kills most often: alcohol, benzodiazepines, GHB/GBL and opioids all suppress breathing when combined.
Never use alone. If you use alone, set up a check-in call with someone who will call emergency services if you do not answer.
Measure liquid doses with a syringe. Bottle caps, teaspoons and 'glugs' are how people take ten times the intended dose.
Sedation can be delayed. Do not re-dose before you can feel the previous dose fully.

Identify what you have

Marquisno color change (254)

Meckeno color change (221)

Mandelinno color change (139)

Reagent tests show what a substance probably is, not how pure it is or what else is in the mix. Fentanyl and nitazene test strips are the only reliable check for those, and quantitative lab testing is better than both.