Gamma-hydroxybutyrate (GHB) is a depressant approved for use in the treatment of narcolepsy, a disorder that causes daytime “sleep attacks”.
| Commercial Names | Common Forms | Common Ways Taken | DEA Schedule |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gamma-hydroxybutyrate or sodium oxybate (Xyrem®) | Colorless liquid, white powder | Swallowed (often combined with alcohol or other beverages) | I** |
| Possible Health Effects | |
|---|---|
| Short-term | Euphoria, drowsiness, nausea, vomiting, confusion, memory loss, unconsciousness, slowed heart rate and breathing, lower body temperature, seizures, coma, death. |
| Long-term | Unknown. |
| Other Health-related Issues | Sometimes used as a date rape drug. |
| In Combination with Alcohol | Nausea, problems with breathing, greatly increased depressant effects. |
| Withdrawal Symptoms | Insomnia, anxiety, tremors, sweating, increased heart rate and blood pressure, psychotic thoughts. |
| Treatment Options | |
| Medications | Benzodiazepines. |
| Behavioral Therapies | More research is needed to find out if behavioral therapies can be used to treat GHB addiction. |
Hallucinogens
Heroin
Inhalants
Ketamine
Khat
Kratom
LSD (Acid)
MDMA (Ecstasy/Molly)
Mescaline (Peyote)
Methamphetamine (Crystal/Meth)
Over-the-Counter Medicines—Dextromethorphan (DXM)
Over-the-Counter Medicines—Loperamide
PCP (Angel Dust)
Prescription Opioids (Oxy/Percs)
Prescription Stimulants (Speed)
Psilocybin (Magic Mushrooms/Shrooms)
Rohypnol® (Flunitrazepam/Roofies)
Salvia
Steroids (Anabolic)
Synthetic Cannabinoids (K2/Spice)
Synthetic Cathinones (Bath Salts/Flakka)
Tobacco/Nicotine and Vaping
**Drugs are classified into five distinct categories or schedules “depending upon the drug’s acceptable medical use and the drug’s use or dependency potential.” More information and the most up-to-date scheduling information can be found on the Drug Enforcement Administration’s website.