Short answer: GHB (gamma-hydroxybutyrate) is a central nervous system depressant sold illegally as a clear liquid or powder. It is Schedule I, while its approved prescription form, sodium oxybate, is Schedule III. Small changes in dose separate euphoria from sudden unconsciousness, and it is especially dangerous with alcohol.
Key takeaways
- What it is: GHB is a central nervous system depressant and a Schedule I controlled substance in the US.
- Medical use: None (sodium oxybate is the approved form).
- Timing: effects start in 15 to 30 minutes and last 1.5 to 4 hours.
- Most dangerous mix: Alcohol, which can cause coma, vomiting, stopped breathing.
- Naloxone: it does not reverse this drug, but give it whenever opioids could be involved.
- Dependence risk: High with frequent use.
- Legal route: none. Schedule I substances cannot be prescribed.
What is GHB?
GHB occurs naturally in the brain in small amounts. As a drug, it slows brain activity, causing relaxation, euphoria, and sleepiness. It was sold as a bodybuilding supplement until the FDA banned it in 1990.
At low doses GHB causes euphoria, sociability, and lowered inhibitions, similar to alcohol. Slightly higher doses cause dizziness, confusion, vomiting, and sudden deep sleep from which the person cannot be woken.
Quick facts
| Fact | GHB |
|---|---|
| Chemical name | Gamma-hydroxybutyrate |
| Related chemicals | GBL and 1,4-butanediol, which the body converts to GHB |
| Drug class | CNS depressant; GABA-B and GHB receptor agonist |
| US legal status | Schedule I (illicit); sodium oxybate (Xyrem): Schedule III |
| Approved medicine | Sodium oxybate for narcolepsy |
| Forms | Clear liquid, powder |
| Onset | 15 to 30 minutes |
| Half-life | About 30 to 60 minutes |
How long does GHB last?
- Starts working: 15 to 30 minutes
- Effects last: 1.5 to 4 hours
- Half-life: About 30 to 60 minutes
Only about 6 to 12 hours in blood and urine, which is why testing after a suspected assault must happen quickly.
Timing varies with the dose, the form, how it is taken, liver and kidney function, age, and other drugs taken at the same time.
What are the biggest risks of GHB?
Overdose: the dose that causes unconsciousness is only slightly higher than the dose that causes euphoria. Vomiting while unconscious and slowed breathing can be fatal.
Alcohol: GHB with alcohol is a leading cause of GHB deaths, because the two greatly deepen sedation.
Drug-facilitated sexual assault: GHB is colorless, nearly odorless, and acts fast, and has been used to incapacitate victims. It leaves the body within about 12 hours, so testing must be done quickly.
Warning: GHB with alcohol, opioids, benzodiazepines, or ketamine can stop breathing. Never leave someone who has taken GHB alone, and place them on their side if they cannot be woken.
What should you never mix with GHB?
| Combined with | What happens | Guidance |
|---|---|---|
| Alcohol | Coma, vomiting, stopped breathing | Dangerous |
| Opioids | Profound sedation and stopped breathing | Dangerous |
| Benzodiazepines, sleep medicines, gabapentinoids | Deep sedation and breathing problems | Dangerous |
| Ketamine | Unconsciousness and choking risk | Dangerous |
| Stimulants (methamphetamine, MDMA) | Masked sedation, then collapse | High risk |
Check any combination with the DoseUses combination checker or ask a pharmacist.
What are the signs of a GHB overdose, and what should you do?
GHB overdose causes vomiting, confusion, slow breathing, a slow heartbeat, low body temperature, seizures, and coma. People can appear to wake up and then lose consciousness again.
If someone may have overdosed
- Call 911 if the person is unresponsive, hard to wake, or breathing slowly.
- For advice when the person is awake and stable, call Poison Help at 1-800-222-1222 (US, free, 24 hours).
- If opioids could be involved, including pills not from a pharmacy, give naloxone if you have it. Naloxone does not reverse GHB, but it will not harm the person.
- Stay with the person and place them on their side if they are drowsy or vomiting.
What is GHB withdrawal like, and how long does it last?
People who take GHB every 1 to 3 hours around the clock develop severe physical dependence. GHB withdrawal can be life-threatening and may need hospital care.
- 1 to 6 hoursRapid onsetAnxiety, tremor, insomnia, sweating, and fast heartbeat.
- Days 1 to 6PeakAgitation, hallucinations, delirium, and seizures in severe cases.
- 1 to 2 weeksResolvesSymptoms ease; sleep and mood problems can last longer.
See the withdrawal timelines and the full GHB withdrawal guide.
Is GHB legal?
Under federal law, GHB is a Schedule I controlled substance, placed there by the Hillory J. Farias and Samantha Reid Date-Rape Drug Prohibition Act of 2000. FDA-approved sodium oxybate products are in Schedule III.
- Possession: under federal law, a first conviction for possessing any controlled substance without a valid prescription can bring up to one year in prison and a minimum fine of $1,000.
- Assault: federal law adds up to 20 years in prison for giving a controlled substance to someone without their knowledge with intent to commit a violent crime, including sexual assault.
- Precursors: GBL is a List I chemical, and GBL or 1,4-butanediol sold for human consumption can be prosecuted as GHB analogues.
Outside the United States
| Country | Status |
|---|---|
| United Kingdom | Class B (since 2022), along with GBL and 1,4-butanediol |
| Australia | Schedule 9 prohibited substance |
| International | Schedule II of the 1971 Convention on Psychotropic Substances |
Frequently asked questions about GHB
What does GHB feel like?
At low doses, like being drunk: relaxed, sociable, and uninhibited. Slightly more can cause sudden unconsciousness.
Is GHB the same as Xyrem?
Xyrem is sodium oxybate, the sodium salt of GHB, made to pharmaceutical standards and approved for narcolepsy under strict controls.
How long is GHB detectable?
Only about 6 to 12 hours in blood and urine, which is why testing after a suspected assault must happen quickly.
Can GHB withdrawal kill?
Yes. Withdrawal after frequent daily use can cause delirium and seizures and needs medical care.
What should you do if you think your drink was spiked?
Get to a safe place with someone you trust, call 911 if you feel very unwell, and ask for testing as soon as possible.
Sources
- GHB (Gamma-Hydroxybutyric Acid) drug fact sheet, US Drug Enforcement Administration.
- Controlled Substance Schedules, DEA Diversion Control Division.
- 21 U.S.C. 844, Penalties for simple possession, Legal Information Institute, Cornell Law School.
- 21 U.S.C. 841, Prohibited acts A (trafficking penalties), Legal Information Institute, Cornell Law School.
- National Helpline, Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration.
- FindTreatment.gov, Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration.
- International drug control conventions, United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime.
This guide summarizes the sourced DoseUses GHB profile, written from FDA labels, DEA rules, and federal health agencies. It is educational and is not medical advice. Last updated October 5, 2026.
