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GHB45a coma-like state for which paramedics are needed to resuscitatethe victim. Other effects of high doses of GHB include visualhallucinations, delusions, out-of-body experiences, vertigo (dizziness),disorientation, depression, and amnesia. Respiration isseverely decreased at these higher doses, with reports of breathingrates as low as 6–10 breaths per minute. High doses of GHB canalso cause one to lose control of the bladder or bowels. Othereffects that are experienced at high doses include nausea andvomiting, seizures, respiratory arrest, coma, and even death, especiallywhen GHB is mixed with other drugs like methamphetamine.All of these effects can have a quick onset, and unlike drinkingalcoholic beverages, once the user starts to feel these effects, he orshe is unable to “slow down” to avoid any further complications.The effects of GHB are strongly enhanced, and muchmore dangerous, when it is used in combination with alcohol.Thus, the likelihood of the user experiencing one of GHB’smore severe effects (such as seizure, coma, or death) is greatlyincreased when it is combined with alcohol. In fact, morethan 80% of all GHB-related deaths involve the combineduse of GHB and alcohol. GHB overdoses can also result from“boosting” (taking another dose before the effects of the firstdose wear off). Since 1990, the Drug Enforcement Agencyhas documented more than 70 deaths that were related toGHB overdoses.As mentioned earlier, raw GHB powder is often mixed withother chemicals, including those found in engine degreasers andfloor strippers. With repeated GHB use, these chemicals canerode the lining of the user’s mouth and esophagus.HOW GHB WORKS IN THE BRAINSurprisingly, GHB is naturally present in most cells of thehuman body at very low concentrations. Although the functionof the body’s own GHB is not clear, scientists believe it maybe involved with cellular metabolism. GHB is also found in thebrain and is believed to act as a neurotransmitter. It is believed
46DESIGNER DRUGSthat taking GHB drastically increases the messages carriedby the brain’s own GHB. GHB may also interact with a wellknownchemical messenger in the brain called GABA (gammaamino butyric acid).Table 4.1 lists the brain regions where GHB is believed toproduce its effects.Table 4.1 GHB’s Effect on the BrainEFFECTDrowsiness and sleepEuphoria, positive feelings,reduced inhibitionsHallucinations, increasedsexual driveLoss of balance, motorimpairmentReduced respirationAmnesiaBRAIN REGION(S)Frontal cortex, brainstem,hypothalamusFrontal cortex, limbicsystemVisual cortex, limbicsystemCerebellumBrainstemHippocampus(limbic system)GHB may also act directly on muscles to produce relaxationand decreased heart rate.GHB AS A DATE RAPE DRUGAlthough the most well-known date rape drug is Rohypnol(see Chapter 5), the effects of GHB have also been exploitedand used to commit sexual assault. In fact, the number ofGHB-related sexual assaults in recent years has paralleled oreven surpassed those involving Rohypnol. The number ofGHB-related sexual assaults may be vastly underestimatedbecause GHB is metabolized rapidly by the body and is oftennot detectable in blood or urine when the victim reports the
Page 2 and 3: DRUGSThe Straight FactsDesignerDrug
Page 4 and 5: DRUGSThe Straight FactsDesignerDrug
Page 6 and 7: Table of ContentsThe Use and Abuse
Page 8 and 9: the connection between our demand f
Page 10 and 11: The term designer drugs was origina
Page 12 and 13: Designer Drugs and the Brain11may l
Page 14 and 15: Designer Drugs and the Brain13Figur
Page 16 and 17: Designer Drugs and the Brain15Other
Page 18 and 19: Designer Drugs and the Brain17Figur
Page 20 and 21: a much stronger “rush” than was
Page 22 and 23: Methamphetamine21Figure 2.2 Methamp
Page 24 and 25: Methamphetamine23known to hijack sh
Page 26 and 27: Methamphetamine25or hemorrhage. Chr
Page 28 and 29: Methamphetamine27Figure 2.4 Althoug
Page 30 and 31: Methamphetamine29decline in their a
Page 32 and 33: Figure 3.1 The chemical structure o
Page 34 and 35: Ecstasy33Figure 3.2 Ecstasy tablets
Page 36 and 37: Ecstasy35that felt after taking coc
Page 38 and 39: Ecstasy37specifically in serotonin-
Page 40 and 41: Ecstasy39parties, and raves, and it
Page 42 and 43: Ecstasy41RAVESEcstasy and other des
Page 44 and 45: and underground laboratories began
Page 48 and 49: GHB47assault to the police. In addi
Page 50 and 51: GHB49a consequence, enforcement of
Page 52 and 53: GHB51STATISTICS AND PATTERNS OF GHB
Page 54 and 55: GHB53Figure 4.2 The number of emerg
Page 56 and 57: and European countries. Rohypnol is
Page 58 and 59: Rohypnol57Figure 5.2 The chemical s
Page 60 and 61: Rohypnol59Rohypnol can also act dir
Page 62 and 63: Rohypnol61Both of these are false
Page 64 and 65: list, signifying that further restr
Page 66 and 67: Ketamine65Figure 6.2 The chemical s
Page 68 and 69: Ketamine67HOW KETAMINE WORKS IN THE
Page 70 and 71: Ketamine69Figure 6.3 Although the n
Page 72 and 73: Ketamine71the drug. As with other d
Page 74 and 75: Figure 7.1 The opium poppy, shown h
Page 76 and 77: Painkiller Analogues75In 1979-1980,
Page 78 and 79: Painkiller Analogues77Figure 7.3 Th
Page 80 and 81: Painkiller Analogues79Figure 7.4 Th
Page 82 and 83: Painkiller Analogues81the brain tha
Page 84 and 85: Bibliography and Further ReadingCha
Page 86 and 87: Dillon, P. Copel, and J.K. Jansen.
Page 88 and 89: www.projectghb.orgInformation about
Page 90 and 91: Talk With Your KidsInformation on t
Page 92 and 93: Date rape drugsEcstasy, 37GHB, 43,
Page 94 and 95: legal status of,18-19looks of, 19-2
Page 96 and 97:
Picture Creditspage:13: Lambda Scie
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