GHB is growth hormone secretagogue, but not for some ex alcohol and cocaine users :(

[Fortis]

GHB: Powerful Growth Hormone Secretagogue
by Ward Dean MD

Growth hormone is one of the many hormones that declines dramatically with age (Fig. 1). Growth hormone has multiple functions in the body, including maintaining lean body mass, mobilizing fat, counteracting insulin, enhancing immunity, lowering blood pressure and improving cholesterol levels, increasing energy, and even improving vision. Many physicians now routinely prescribe growth hormone shots for middle-aged and older men and women for their health-enhancing, anti-aging effects. Bodybuilders and athletes have been taking growth hormone for years as an anabolic and performance-enhancing agent.

A claim about GHB that is frequently made by its supporters (and which is just as roundly denied or ignored by GHB's detractors) is that GHB is a powerful stimulant of growth hormone release by the pituitary.

If GHB could truly increase growth hormone levels, it would lend credence to the claims of many of its supporters that GHB has profound fat-burning and other anti-aging effects. Let's examine the basis for this belief that GHB may increase growth hormone release.

GHB increases Growth Hormone in Humans and Experimental Animals

One of the earliest indications of GHB's potential as a growth hormone stimulator was the study by Oyama and Takiguchi (1970), of the department of anesthesiology, Hirosaki University in Japan. They evaluated the effects of GHB--when used as a general anesthetic--on 10 patients (ranging in age from 14 to 48) undergoing surgery. The scientists found that after infusion of an average of 6 gm GHB, growth hormone levels rose significantly (6 times higher than controls!) and remained elevated for approximately two hours. They also noted no change in insulin or glucose levels. This is very significant, as exogenously administered Growth Hormone (i.e., administered by injections) tends to be diabetogenic, and tends to counteract the glucose-lowering effects of insulin.

Seven years later Takahara and his colleagues (1977[a]) evaluated the effects of GHB on growth hormone in six males, aged 25-40. Each subject was given 2.5 gm GHB intravenously. Not surprisingly, five of the subjects fell asleep within 20 minutes of the infusion, and slept for 30-150 minutes. Growth hormone levels began to climb after the infusion, reached a peak at 60 minutes, and then gradually declined (Fig. 2). Takahara and his team continued to performed studies on humans regarding growth hormone and GHB, with similar results (1977; 1980)

In 1980, scientists at the National Institute of Health and Medical Research in France evaluated the GH-stimulating effects of GHB in 20 rats. After intrapertoneal administration of 100 mg/100 gm body weight, GH levels rose significantly (Figure 3) (Bluet-Pajot, et al, 1980). Other studies which confirmed GHB's GH-stimulating effects in humans included those of Yunoki (1982), and Gerra and colleagues (1994).

In 1997, yet another study was conducted with the specific purpose of determining whether GHB would enhance sleep and increase GH secretion in normal subjects. In this study, eight healthy subjects ranging in age from 24-28 participated. GHB dosages of 2.5 gm, 3.5 gm, and 4.5 gm were administered at bedtime once per week to at least 7 of the 8 subjects. The only "adverse effect" noted by any of the subjects was a feeling of inebriation by five of the subjects. Consistent with previous studies, the duration's of stages III and IV sleep were increased. These are thought to be the most restful and restorative sleep stages, and are also the stages in which growth hormone is maximally released. Figure 4 shows the effect of the low, medium and high doses of GHB on growth hormone, compared with placebo (Van Cauter, et al, 1997) (Fig. 4). Interestingly, Dr. Martin Scharf, one of the co-authors of the study, is one of the most eminent researchers in the world on the beneficial effects of GHB on narcolepsy, (a severe sleep disorder).

In fact, Van Cauter and Scharf have even applied for a U.S. Patent--"Use of gamma-hydroxybutyrate for the stimulation of sleep-related growth hormone secretion." This patent describes the use of GHB to reestablish normal nighttime growth hormone secretion in adults, by administering GHB just before retiring.

Long-Term Studies

Until recently, all of the studies on the growth hormone-releasing effects of GHB had been one-time studies. No one had studied the ability of GHB to stimulate growth hormone after long-term use. Michael Farley, a Florida-based naturopathic physician, has conducted a unique study that will allow us to make some inferences with regard to the long term growth hormone stimulating properties of GHB. Dr. Farley used a dietary supplement (RenewTrient ®) that contained a precursor of GHB-gamma butyrolactone (GBL). For all practical purposes, GHB and GBL have identical biochemical and physiological effects.

Farley evaluated the effect of GBL on growth hormone, IGF-1, and glucose (glucose can be considered an indirect indicator of GH levels). The test subjects included ten males (aged 28-53). Three had used GBL every night for over one year, while seven had not previously used it.

Farley noted elevations of growth hormone and IGF1, and reductions in blood sugar in all subjects. However, those who had not previously used GBL had higher levels of growth hormone and IGF1, and greater reductions in blood sugar than the "experienced" GBL users. For example, the average increase from baseline to a peak at 60 minutes ranged from 0.56 to 7.1 NG/ML for the seven GBL "non-users." The four subjects who used GBL for over one year had average values of 0.5 to 2.4 NG/ML, respectively.

HGH Assay of Normal Test Subjects
BASELINE 30 min. 60 min, 90 min. 120.min
SN1 0.5 0.5 2.2 0.7 0.5
SN2 0.8 0.5 4.5 1.4 0.5
SN3 0.5 1.6 5 4 1.2
SN4 0.5 0.5 4.2 3.9 1.5
SN5 0.6 0.6 20 18 9.7
SN6 0.5 1.5 5.9 2.7 0.6
SN7 0.5 0.7 7.9 303 1
Average 0.557143 0.842857 7.1 4.857143 2.142857
HGH Assay of One Year Renewtrient Users
SRU8 0.5 0.8 2.2
SRU9 0.5 1.2 2.5 4.1 2
SRU10 0.5 2 1.7
SRU11 0.5 0.5 0.5 0.7 1.2
Average 0.5 0.85 1,45 2.4 1.775

Farley found that test subjects who had the lowest blood glucose levels had the greatest increases in growth hormone. Consequently, he recommends taking GBL on an empty stomach --i.e., about three hours after eating--in order to maximize the release of growth hormone.

Farley's study, while interesting, leaves us with a few questions, and some suggestions for further study. First, the test was performed in the morning, using a fairly small dose of GBL (0.25 mg/kg). This dose is about half that normally required to induce sleep - confirmed by the fact that none of the subjects fell asleep.

All of the previous studies on GHB and growth hormone used sleep-inducing doses of GHB. Since GH is released in greatest quantity during Stage III and IV of normal sleep, and since GHB enhances these sleep stages, researchers hypothesized that this was the cause of GHB-stimulated GH release. However, Farley's study showed that GBL enhances GH release even when sleep is not induced. Would the GH release have been even more significant if higher doses had been used?

Farley's study affirms the long term safety of GBL, as the three long term users suffered no adverse side effects, and maintained a significant growth hormone releasing response. However, since long term daily use did result in a reduction of the growth hormone stimulating effects of GHB, we (Farley and Dean) recommend against chronic daily use of GHB and its precursors (GBL and BD). We believe that consumers of GHB should take a break periodically, and avoid using GHB two or three days each week. This should prevent receptor down-regulation, and optimize the benefits.

Conclusions

GHB and its precursors (GBL and BD) are clearly powerful growth hormone secretagogues. A patent has been issued for GHB's use as a growth hormone stimulant - held by one of the leading GHB researchers in the world. A prescription version of GHB is pending imminent approval by the FDA (sic) named Xyrem ® and manufactured by Orphan Medical. These two facts lend credence to the safety and efficacy of GHB in elevating growth hormone, as reported in this review. GHB's growth hormone stimulating effect is just one more of the numerous reasons this miracle nutrient has such a beneficial effect on our health and well-being.

References:

Bluet-Pajot, Schaub, C., and Nassiet, J. Growth hormone response to hypoglycemia under gamma hydroxybutyrate narco-analgesia in the rat. Neuroendocrinology, 1978, 26: 141-149.
Bluet-Pajot, M.T., Schaub, C., Mounier, F., Segalen, A., Duhault, J., and Kordon, C. Monoaminergic regulation of growth hormone in the rat. J Endocr, 1980, 86: 387-396.
Gerra, G., Marcato, A., Fertonani, A., Avanzini, P., et al. Gamma hydroxybutyric acid (GHB) and neuroendocrine function in humans. Neuroendocrinol Lett, 1994, 16: 1, 55-63.
Oyama, T., and Takiguchi, M. Effects of gamma hydroxybutyrate and surgery on plasma human growth hormone and insulin levels. Agressologie, 1970, 11: 3, 289-298.
Takahara, Jiro, Yunoki, Sho, Yakushiji, Wataru, et al. Stimulatory effects of gamma hydroxybutyric acid on growth hormone and prolactin release in humans. J Clin Endocrinol Metab, 1977, 44: 1014-1017.
Takahara, Jiro, Yunoki, Sho, Yakushiji, Wataru, Yamauchi, J., Ofuji, N., et al. Effects of gamma hydroxybutyric acid and gamma amino beta hydroxybutyric acid on growth hormone, prolactin, LH, FSH, TSH and cortisol secretion in man. Program of the 59th Annual Meeting of the Endocrine Society, Chicago, IL, 1977, 254.
Takahara, Jiro, Yunoki, Sho, Hosogi, Hidemi, Yakushiji, Wataru, et al. Concomitant increases in serum growth hormone and hypothalamic somatostatin in rats after injection of gamma aminobutyric acid, aminooxyacetic acid, or gamma hydroxybutyric acid. Endocrinology, 1980, 106: 343-347.
Van Cauter, Eve, Plat, Laurence, Scharf, Martin B., Leproult, Rachel, Cespedes, Sonya, L'Hermite-Baleriaux, Mireille, and Copinschi, Georges. Simultaneous stimulation of slow-wave sleep and growth hormone secretion by gamma-hydroxybutyrate in normal young men. J Clin Invest, 1997, 100: 3, 745-753.
Van Cauter, Eve, and Scharf, Martin B. Use of gamma hydroxybutyrate for the stimulation of sleep-related growth hormone secretion. U.S. Patent application 485,059, 7 June 1995, 42 pp.
Yunoki, Sho. Studies of gamma-aminobutyric acid (GAGA) and its metabolite on the control mechanism of secretion of anterior pituitary hormones. Part II. Effects of gamma-hydroxybutyric acid (GHB) on secretion of anterior pituitary hormones in human subjects. Okayama Igakkai Zasshi, 1982, 94: 899-913.
FOOTNOTE

Effects of GHB on Growth Hormone in recovering Alcoholics and Cocaine Addicts

Alcoholics are known to have impaired growth hormone secretion and low levels of IGF-1. Since GHB has been demonstrated to predictably stimulate growth hormone in animals and humans, Vescovi and Coiro (1997[a]) evaluated the effects of GHB in 22 male chronic alcoholics, aged 38-52, all of whom had been abstinent from alcohol for at least one year. These scientists evaluated the ability of the pituitary to respond to 30 gm of intravenous arginine - a standard test of the pituitary's growth hormone-releasing capability. In each subject, the arginine induced significant growth hormone increase. However, GHB surprisingly failed to stimulate growth hormone (Fig. 5). The authors concluded that even long-term abstinence from alcohol is unable to restore 5-HT1D receptors and GHB-mediated neurotransmission that regulate GH secretion. These same authors did a similar study with cocaine addicts, who had discontinued cocaine use one month prior to the test. They found that GHB did not increase growth hormone in cocaine addicts, similar to the response of alcoholics (Vescovi and Di Gennaro, 1997).

They concluded that alcoholism and cocaine use are related to disorders of the serotonergic and GABAergic controls of GH secretion, and that the neurological damage produced by many years of alcohol or cocaine consumption may unfortunately be irreversible.References

Vescovi, P.P., and Coiro, V. Persistence of defective serotonergic and GABAergic controls of growth hormone secretion in long-term abstinent alcoholics. Alcohol and Alcoholism, 1997[a], 32: 1, 85-90.
Vescovi, P.P., and Di Gennaro, C. Di. Failure of gammahydroxybutyric acid to stimulate growth hormone secretion in cocaine addicts. Neurpoeptides, 1997, 31: 5, 459-462.
DISCLAIMER: ALL INFORMATION IS EDUCATIONAL AND PROVIDED UNDER IAS TERMS & CONDITIONS. IT DOES NOT, AND SHOULD NOT, REPLACE THE ADVICE OF YOUR PHYSICIAN.

http://www.antiaging-systems.com/extract/ghbsecretagogue.htm

I used to take cocaine and alcohol before I found GBL, not everyday, but often enough.

It seems as though there is a place for careful use of GBL/GHB; it is certainly part of my pharmacological arsenal. I use it to get me to bed early and get a very good sleep. It works, and I am up nice and early for yoga class/gym too.

However, could I have damaged my 5-HT1D receptors to the point where GBL will have no effect as a GH secretagogue?

How to know?

How to restore 5-HT1D receptors?

 

[xtimex]

I've found that using GBL gives me vivid dreams, increased libido and drowsiness. I do drink alcohol and find myself waking up the next day either super early or later on in the day with an ate up feeling from the chemical itself. This is 1ml a night. Sometimes 1.5 ml. I use to convert it to NaGHB but with the laws and such it's much safer to have a larger amount of small doses of gbl than alot of small doses of NaGHB. So If I have 250ml of gbl I'd be in less trouble than having say 2 liters of NaGHB. I combat the acidic of the GBL with some sea salt chips or something more alkaline to neutralize the pH. I'm surprised I even got it through customs 2 days after ordering a large amount. Needless to say it'll be the last time since I did get something confiscated through the mail and the post master noted something about my 'UK' shipment of fuel injector cleaner before my other illegal items got caught.

Side note, I don't use cocaine, however I believe GBL can be used as a safe alternative to other chems.

 

[Fortis]

I've found that using GBL gives me vivid dreams, increased libido and drowsiness. I do drink alcohol and find myself waking up the next day either super early or later on in the day with an ate up feeling from the chemical itself. This is 1ml a night. Sometimes 1.5 ml. I use to convert it to NaGHB but with the laws and such it's much safer to have a larger amount of small doses of gbl than alot of small doses of NaGHB. So If I have 250ml of gbl I'd be in less trouble than having say 2 liters of NaGHB. I combat the acidic of the GBL with some sea salt chips or something more alkaline to neutralize the pH. I'm surprised I even got it through customs 2 days after ordering a large amount. Needless to say it'll be the last time since I did get something confiscated through the mail and the post master noted something about my 'UK' shipment of fuel injector cleaner before my other illegal items got caught.

Side note, I don't use cocaine, however I believe GBL can be used as a safe alternative to other chems.

Ok. I am a 3ml or more guy, and I only take GBL.

They concluded that alcoholism and cocaine use are related to disorders of the serotonergic and GABAergic controls of GH secretion, and that the neurological damage produced by many years of alcohol or cocaine consumption may unfortunately be irreversible.

The study seems to refer to people who have endured many years of alcohol and cocaine abuse, but how much would have been too much?

I only took cocaine for less than a year, twice a week at most, usually weekly or fortnightly though. Alcohol; I had a good session on the weekend, but was never an alcoholic.

It would worry me that I could be taking GBL, getting a good sleep, but producing no extra growth hormone, but still producting elevated levels of prolactin.

This would result in infertility.

Is this not a serious concern?

 

[Jabberwocky]

do you lift weight (full body) at least 3x a week? Do you eat a high-protein diet? Do you sleep regular 8 hours a day? Do you stay well hydrated?

If you answer no to any of those then you got a problem to focus on way earlier than trying to figure out how to tweak some receptors in your brain to get more GH.

fyi, the GH boost from GHB is because GHB induces deep sleep (GH is released at higher levels during sleep).

 

[Jamshyd]

Oh no, not THIS shit again!

fyi, the GH boost from GHB is because GHB induces deep sleep (GH is released at higher levels during sleep).

Exactly, its not some kind of anabolic that gets you high at the same time.

May I ask how long have you been taking GBL "responsibly" for?

p.s. You ARE producing disasterous levels of prolactin with GBL use whether you produce GH or not.

 

[hydroazuanacaine]

fyi, the GH boost from GHB is because GHB induces deep sleep (GH is released at higher levels during sleep).

Exactly, its not some kind of anabolic that gets you high at the same time.

don't know anything about ghb myself, but the article makes it sound like it is:

All of the previous studies on GHB and growth hormone used sleep-inducing doses of GHB. Since GH is released in greatest quantity during Stage III and IV of normal sleep, and since GHB enhances these sleep stages, researchers hypothesized that this was the cause of GHB-stimulated GH release. However, Farley's study showed that GBL enhances GH release even when sleep is not induced.

and

Growth hormone levels began to climb after the infusion, reached a peak at 60 minutes, and then gradually declined

 

[Jabberwocky]

I reckon combating cortisol (stress) levels has something to do with the rise in GH from using GBL (without sleep level doses), but thats just a guess.

 

[MeDieViL]

Oh no, not THIS shit again!



Exactly, its not some kind of anabolic that gets you high at the same time.

May I ask how long have you been taking GBL "responsibly" for?

p.s. You ARE producing disasterous levels of prolactin with GBL use whether you produce GH or not.

i've been using it reponsibly for months, it has anabolic properties, gives you a feeling of well being and allows you to sleep better

you do have to be carefull using it, if you get addicted youll probebly gonna pray you were addicted to both heroin and alcohol

 

[Fortis]

do you lift weight (full body) at least 3x a week? Do you eat a high-protein diet? Do you sleep regular 8 hours a day? Do you stay well hydrated?

Yes, yes and yes. Spot on, apart from the 8 hours. I sleep only six hours, because the G gives me a really good sleep and I wake up nice and early on it.

If you answer no to any of those then you got a problem to focus on way earlier than trying to figure out how to tweak some receptors in your brain to get more GH.

Thank you for your concern.

fyi, the GH boost from GHB is because GHB induces deep sleep (GH is released at higher levels during sleep).

Not according to the article. It occurs independently.

I love GHB's deep sleep effect. It works wonderfully for me, especially because I practise yoga as well as weight training (I do both on the same day, monday, wednesday, friday, yoga, breakfast and then weights) and a shot at 9pm gets me up refreshed at 2 or 3am, which gives me plenty of time for morning meditation and hydration before class.

Exactly, its not some kind of anabolic that gets you high at the same time.

May I ask how long have you been taking GBL "responsibly" for?

p.s. You ARE producing disasterous levels of prolactin with GBL use whether you produce GH or not.

I have been taking GBL in the evenings for about two weeks now. It seems to work extremely well for me. I have good meditations evening and morning, the G does not seem to affect this as other drugs would.

I feel as though I have gone clean. I feel no desire to take other drugs and no desire to use GBL during the day. I never said that I use GBL "responsibly", so I feel as though you have put that word into my mouth.

I have been experimenting, with times and amounts. It seems as though the best thing for me to do is take it a 9pm and go straight to bed.

I have not had a evening without G since I bought it.

I am considering doing it on alternate days, but the change in my sleeping patterns has been so beneficial that do not feel that I want to.

Getting up early is so valuable to me as a yoga practicioner. I can see that taking a G shot and then waking up at 2am might be a bit odd for someone who has a different sort of lifestyle, but for me it is ideal. I do not feel tired in the morning or during the day.

Prolactin:

Some people are of the opinion is that prolactin production is offset by growth hormone production. I certainly hope that this is the case.

The early morning hours are very valuable to yoga practicioners as the energy is quite pure at that time, and one can enjoy a really fruitful meditation.

I feel that I have found my drug of choice now.

I intend to try this:

Farley's study affirms the long term safety of GBL, as the three long term users suffered no adverse side effects, and maintained a significant growth hormone releasing response. However, since long term daily use did result in a reduction of the growth hormone stimulating effects of GHB, we (Farley and Dean) recommend against chronic daily use of GHB and its precursors (GBL and BD). We believe that consumers of GHB should take a break periodically, and avoid using GHB two or three days each week. This should prevent receptor down-regulation, and optimize the benefits.

I will endeavour to restrict use to Sunday, Tuesday and Thursday nights, when I need to be up early the following mornings.

MeDieViL, could you share some insights?

 

[Jabberwocky]

dude you're headed for a trainwreck if you're taking that stuff every evening. You will experience the most horrendous withdrawals of your life on that stuff. Worse than heroin, no joke...in fact the WDs can be fatal.

not trying to scare you at this point just giving you a heads up that you are in for a world of hurting coming up soon.

 

[Fortis]

dude you're headed for a trainwreck if you're taking that stuff every evening. You will experience the most horrendous withdrawals of your life on that stuff. Worse than heroin, no joke...in fact the WDs can be fatal.

not trying to scare you at this point just giving you a heads up that you are in for a world of hurting coming up soon.

GHB is used to treat narcolepsy and patients use it every evening as part of their treatment:

Here there is a story about a woman who experienced some complications from taking Xyrem:

http://www.erowid.org/experiences/exp.php?ID=71716

Not withdrawals though...

 

[Jabberwocky]

you are fooling yourself if you think you wont get WDs...

scary how misinformed you are

 

[MeDieViL]

Yes, yes and yes. Spot on, apart from the 8 hours. I sleep only six hours, because the G gives me a really good sleep and I wake up nice and early on it.



Thank you for your concern.



Not according to the article. It occurs independently.

I love GHB's deep sleep effect. It works wonderfully for me, especially because I practise yoga as well as weight training (I do both on the same day, monday, wednesday, friday, yoga, breakfast and then weights) and a shot at 9pm gets me up refreshed at 2 or 3am, which gives me plenty of time for morning meditation and hydration before class.



I have been taking GBL in the evenings for about two weeks now. It seems to work extremely well for me. I have good meditations evening and morning, the G does not seem to affect this as other drugs would.

I feel as though I have gone clean. I feel no desire to take other drugs and no desire to use GBL during the day. I never said that I use GBL "responsibly", so I feel as though you have put that word into my mouth.

I have been experimenting, with times and amounts. It seems as though the best thing for me to do is take it a 9pm and go straight to bed.

I have not had a evening without G since I bought it.

I am considering doing it on alternate days, but the change in my sleeping patterns has been so beneficial that do not feel that I want to.

Getting up early is so valuable to me as a yoga practicioner. I can see that taking a G shot and then waking up at 2am might be a bit odd for someone who has a different sort of lifestyle, but for me it is ideal. I do not feel tired in the morning or during the day.

Prolactin:

Some people are of the opinion is that prolactin production is offset by growth hormone production. I certainly hope that this is the case.

The early morning hours are very valuable to yoga practicioners as the energy is quite pure at that time, and one can enjoy a really fruitful meditation.

I feel that I have found my drug of choice now.

I intend to try this:



I will endeavour to restrict use to Sunday, Tuesday and Thursday nights, when I need to be up early the following mornings.

MeDieViL, could you share some insights?

you should definatly take more breaks, as when you stop using it you wont be able to sleep, it does cause addiction and tolerance so caution i needed when using it daily, dont take for one or 2 days a week or just dont take it for sleep in those days but only in the day

 

[Fortis]

you should definatly take more breaks, as when you stop using it you wont be able to sleep, it does cause addiction and tolerance so caution i needed when using it daily, dont take for one or 2 days a week or just dont take it for sleep in those days but only in the day

I was of the impression that taking it continuously during the day or say, for 24 hours was where the real danger lies. Redosing every two hours and marathon sessions. I am not doing that. I am dosing once and going to bed. I find it hard to believe that taking g almost as it is prescribed as medicine is going to give me fatal wds.

 

[Jamshyd]

Well, multitudes of children are on Amphetamines. Does that make Amphetamines safe?

Daily GHB/GBL use is not safe, period. (actually, my experience showed me that GHB is the single most destructive drug I've used, and I used more drugs than I care to count). Your use as it is now may not give you fatal withdrawals, but you are causing yourself irreversible damage. I have not touched GHB for more than two years now and my sleep patterns and sexual drive STILL suffer.

You're still in the honeymoon phase.

I will shut up now and check this thread a month later.

 

[MeDieViL]

I was of the impression that taking it continuously during the day or say, for 24 hours was where the real danger lies. Redosing every two hours and marathon sessions. I am not doing that. I am dosing once and going to bed. I find it hard to believe that taking g almost as it is prescribed as medicine is going to give me fatal wds.

you never sleep without GHB anymore, do you really think your body wont adapt to that?

your probebly one of the ppl that rave about GHB when they start using and suddenly its evil because they get addicted

ppl arent joking here, altough i disagree with most of them as i beleive you can use GHB daily, but cycle how you use it (not allways for sleep, not allways during daytime, everything you do you still need to do sober at a point) and after a few weeks take a week off

if you dont do that you WILL get addicted

 

[Fortis]

Your use as it is now may not give you fatal withdrawals, but you are causing yourself irreversible damage.

I have not touched GHB for more than two years now and my sleep patterns and sexual drive STILL suffer.

I am listening to what you are saying.

What do you consider to be the irreversible damage caused by GHB?

How did GHB affect your sex drive and sleep patterns?

 

[Jamshyd]

I'm not sure what exactly happened in my brain, but the changes I experienced were most certainly caused by my G use.

My sleep patterns were desturbed in that I felt like I had perpetual jetlag. Even today, though my bedtime has stabelized somewhat, I still get bouts of what I can only call narcolepsy between around 1pm and 5pm (if I'm not doing anything active, I find myself nodding off uncontrollably).

As for sex, I get bouts of anhedonia that last an indefinite time. For many months after I stopped using, I simply had NO sex drive whatsoever. Now things have improved somewhat, especially that I've stopped using all drugs (except tramadol) for more than half a year now.

I started out like you. In fact, I started out using every weekend. At the time I was depressive - and GHB made me love life. I was under the impression that it is harmless after I read about it on the net (there is hardly any info on G addiction). The per-weekend use turned to once-a-day, and that very quickly spiralled to once-every-hour, especially the fact that I'd wake up in the middle of the night in full withdrawal and have to redose, only to wake up again a few hours later... in full withdrawal.

When I decided to stop, the withdrawals were horrendous. It felt worse than withdrawal from an IV heroin + oral oxycodone havbit, worse than a several-year Benzo habit, and worse than hundreds of mgs of Dexedrine for several months.

Ever since then I've encountered several G addicts/ex-addicts, even here on BL, who confirmed experiencing the same things.

 

[Jabberwocky]

definitely take the advice of some people here and start cycling on and off cycles. At least every other day (though I suspect this will build a physical dependence as well after awhile).

You say you are into yoga and mediation...how spiritual is it to need a chemical to feel tranquil/calm? Why can't you work on attaining that without GBL?

 

[Fortis]

The per-weekend use turned to once-a-day, and that very quickly spiralled to once-every-hour, especially the fact that I'd wake up in the middle of the night in full withdrawal and have to redose, only to wake up again a few hours later... in full withdrawal.

I do not doubt that you suffered horribly and that the withdrawals were hellish, and I am sorry to hear of your misfortune.

I am interested to know how using once-a-day spiralled to using once-an-hour.

I simply cannot imagine that happening to me, because I do not feel greedy for it and I am using it for a specific purpose.

Do you think that there is any safe way to use GHB?

I am loathe to stop, because, so far, it has been extremely useful in enabling me to sleep very well and rise very early.

definitely take the advice of some people here and start cycling on and off cycles. At least every other day (though I suspect this will build a physical dependence as well after awhile).

You say you are into yoga and mediation...how spiritual is it to need a chemical to feel tranquil/calm? Why can't you work on attaining that without GBL?

I am going to do that. Tonight, Thursday, is my last dose until Sunday.

To me, spirituality is about being aware of oneself as soul, independent of the physical circumstances.

In practice, people often need scriptures, incense or certain foods in order set themselves up for a relationship with God or to connect with their non-physical selves.

I am not like Aldous Huxley mistaken in the belief that a drug [LSD] has brought me enlightenment:

I am using GBL to get to sleep on time to get up early. Rising early is very important to me.

GBL is remarkable in that it does not disturb my meditation practise, nor my hatha yoga practise.

I am very surprised by this, because even meat, fish, eggs, onion, garlic, mushrooms, tea, coffee and chocolate are forbidden on my path, and they DO disturb the mind. Once the G is through it is as though nothing has happened...

Getting up early has been so wonderful for me just recently.

Thanks for all the helpful advice. After, Thursday, tonight, I am cutting it out until Sunday. Let me see if I can get up nice and early on Saturday morning after an early night Friday...