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'
Liquid ecstasy
' or gamma hydroxybutyrate (
GHB
) is attributed a use beyond psychoactive drug.
Since one of its effects is
amnesia and sedation quickly without the victim realizing
it, it is used in many crimes under the name of
'chemical submission'
.
One of the dangers of
GHB
is that it becomes
undetectable
in a few hours by conventional blood and urine tests.
In an article published by the Spanish Society of Emergency and Emergency Medicine (Semes), its authors analyze how this drug works and point out that its availability, easy access and low cost have led to its rapid expansion in recent years.
Although
the prevalence of consumption does not provide alarming data,
"
GHB
has a toxic potential and clinical complications due to use and abuse that justify being studied."
What is liquid ecstasy?
We are dealing with
a chemical of abuse that depresses the central nervous system (CNS)
.
It is part of a large group of drugs of abuse that make up the so-called new psychoactive substances (NDP/NPS), which are consumed
for recreational purposes
.
It is also a physiological neurotransmitter.
What symptoms does liquid ecstasy produce?
Through its consumption,
euphoric and aphrodisiac effects
are sought .
This substance
was first used as an anesthetic for its stimulating effect on GABA receptors in the brain
.
As properties, this substance is anesthetic, hypnotic and epileptogenic.
What group of drugs does GHB belong to?
GHB is part of the
broad group of substances that make up emerging drugs
or new psychoactive drugs (NDP/NPS) that are easily accessible on the underground market or on the internet behind names such as "
liquid ecstasy
", "baby bottles", "liquid X", "Gamma-G" or more internationally as "Soap"2, "Scoop"2, "G"2 or "Vit.G".
In many countries
they are legally prescribed for the treatment of narcolepsy
under the name
Xyrem
or as an aid in opiate and alcohol withdrawal under the name
Alcover
.
Its precursors gamma-butyrolactone (GBL) and 1-4-butanediol (BD) are substances that are also sold on the legal market as cleaning products and solvents or dietary supplements.
What effects does liquid ecstasy produce?
Consumed at low doses, an effect of intensification of tactile and visual perceptions and
disinhibition
with respect to the environment is produced.
At high doses it produces
loss of motor control and drowsiness
, which can lead to
hypnotic coma
.
In turn, the authors of the Semes analysis point out that the use of this substance
for criminal purposes has been documented, taking advantage of its sedative and amnesic effects
, described as "chemical submission".
Its continued use, as in the case of other substances of abuse, produces tolerance and dependence.
The
most common complications
after
GHB intoxication
are hypokalaemia, Wernicke-Korsakoff syndrome, acute renal failure, rhabdomyolysis,
bronchial aspiration or cardiorespiratory arrest (CRP)
.
How is GHB consumed?
GHB
is taken orally
as a
colorless and odorless liquid
that is often presented as a powder to be diluted or in a ready-to-drink solution mixed with other more common drinks.
The
profile of the GHB consumer
is a young person between 18 and 30 years old who consumes in leisure and party environments and who seeks the
euphoric, anxiolytic and aphrodisiac effect
.
In most of the times,
it is used in combination with other drugs
such as cannabis, cocaine, amphetamines, ketamine, ecstasy and alcohol as the most frequent substance.
Without a trace, why doesn't liquid ecstasy leave a trace on the body?
One of the difficulties inherent in
GHB
intoxication is that, as a new psychoactive drug, the current toxic detection methods used in emergency services such as urine toxic analysis or blood tests are useless.
The
detection period is very short
since
the final metabolites of GHB are water and carbon dioxide
.
"This reality forces the diagnosis of the patient to be clinical and through the so-called 'toxindromes' which are the
set of signs and symptoms caused by a toxin
. In response to cases of decreased consciousness of a patient who does not respond the administration of antidotes such as flumazenil or naloxone will proceed to treat it as a toxindrome", they explain in the article.
The absorption of
GHB
is relatively fast.
The experts describe its action in the body as follows: "
A plasma peak occurs 20-45 minutes after ingestion and has a half-life of 20-30 minutes
. At high doses (> 50 mg/kg), the effects hypnotics derived from the substance and at doses greater than 60 mg/kg, life-threatening situations resulting from respiratory depression or coma are produced".
In these cases,
GHB presents a "Sedative-Toxindrome" or "Sedative-Hypnotic"
.
"This measure will serve as a quick guide to approach the patient and treat him in the most effective way. The clinical assessment will be based on observation: mental status, pupils, skin and mucous membranes, genitourinary, gastrointestinal and vital signs," the authors state.
What is your level of GHB use, consumption and addiction in Spain?
According to the EDADES survey (Survey on Alcohol and Drugs in Spain) published in 2019 of the National Plan on Drugs,
the average age of starting GHB use is 22.4 years.
The prevalence of consumption, at least once in life, has remained below 1% among the total population since data collection began in 2011. In addition,
the prevalence of consumption is higher in men than in women
.
Another difficulty added to the control of
GHB
or other psychoactive substances is their
easy acquisition
.
The EDADES survey quantifies the perception of the availability of GHB, in terms of the possibility of acquiring it in the next 24 hours in a relatively easy or very easy way.
This perception of availability in the general population is 25.9%.
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