GHB, commonly known as liquid ecstasy, has appeared in various reports tied to abuse by a figure known as Father Fran in Malaga. The substance has a troubling history in criminal cases where it is used to facilitate sexual crimes, benefiting from its rapid onset and the ability to leave little physical evidence.
This chemical is often described as having properties that aid wrongdoing due to its colorless, odorless nature and its easy concealment in drinks. A notable effect is amnesia, which can occur quickly, complicating the victim’s ability to recall events and making it harder to pursue charges.
Easy access and low black market cost have driven a sharp rise in use in recent years. So what exactly is this drug and what are its effects?
GHB, or gamma hydroxybutyric acid, is recognized by health authorities as a central nervous system depressant. Beyond its alleged recreational appeal, it has been linked to serious health risks and misuse that extend past typical drug use.
Some people describe its initial effects as producing a sense of well being and happiness, a label sometimes used in reference to liquid ecstasy. However, it is important to note that the effects differ from those of ecstasy, which is a stimulant with a different pharmacological profile.
The liquid form is clear and scentless, which contributes to the challenge of dosing. Its visibility in standard tests is limited, as it can become undetectable within hours in routine blood or urine analyses.
In illegal markets, GHB is typically sold as a transparent liquid to be consumed orally after being mixed with water. The dose can be difficult to control, and small changes in amount or purity can produce vastly different physiological responses.
It is a colorless and odorless liquid medicine.
Effects
GHB slows brain activity, dampening many bodily functions. This action can vary significantly from person to person. The experience generally begins within 10 to 20 minutes of ingestion, lasts about 60 to 90 minutes, and fades within 3 to 4 hours.
While some users seek increased sociability and ease of conversation, common outcomes include drowsiness, fatigue, headaches, confusion, and in some cases respiratory depression, delusions, hallucinations, or coma.
Common adverse effects:
- dizziness
- nausea
- vomiting
- blurred vision
- impaired motor coordination
- numbness
- headache
- agitation, anxiety, or muscle tension with redosing
Toxic and serious effects:
- diarrhea
- memory loss
- muscle spasms
- risk of coma in severe cases
- vomiting with unconsciousness can lead to suffocation
- continued use may lead to addiction
Overdose on GHB can trigger seizures in people with epilepsy, especially when mixed with stimulants. This combination increases danger and complicates recovery.
The beginning of liquid ecstasy
GHB was first synthesized in 1960 and initially studied as an anesthetic. It was later withdrawn from pharmaceutical use due to adverse side effects.
By the 1980s, it appeared in other contexts, including sleep aids and bodybuilding supplements. Health professionals have also noted its use in managing alcohol withdrawal in some cases.
Recreational use emerged over time, and regulation intensified during the 1990s. Today, legal status varies by country, with many jurisdictions prohibiting nonmedical use.