GHB

(G, Gina, water)

What It Is

GHB is a strong depressant, often found as a clear, oily liquid. It can taste salty, sweet, or have no taste at all. Sometimes it appears cloudy. In PnP settings, GHB is often used to reduce pain, relax muscles (including the anal sphincter), and enhance sexual pleasure.

How It Works

GHB affects two parts of the brain: GABA receptors and its own special GHB receptors. Together, these slow down the central nervous system and can make you feel calm, sleepy, or less coordinated. You might also experience a small burst in energy

The intensity of GHB’s effects depend on physical factors like the amount of food you have eaten beforehand (slower to feel effects) and how rested you are (more likely to “g-out” when overtired). Be aware of how you feel before you decide to take a dose.

How It Might Feel

Low to moderate doses:

• Calm and buzzed, like after one or two drinks
• Horny, sensitive to touch.
• Warm and flush

Higher doses:

• Dizziness or confusion
• Nodding off and slurred or broken speech
• Irritability or aggression
• Loss of consciousness, seizures, or trouble breathing
• Vomiting or passing out
• Overdose risk increases quickly with larger doses

GBL + BDO 

GBL and BDO are analogs of GHB, meaning they are very similar to GHB on the molecular level but differ slightly.Both have effects similar to GHB but which come on much faster and stronger, meaning a lower dose should be taken. While the only 100% certain way to identify what you have GHB is to take it for testing. However, there are someways to help you make an informed guess as to what you are taking which you can see in the chart in Using & Dosing.

Using and Dosing

Mixing With Other Drugs

Mixing with other depressants is especially dangerous. Avoid consuming:

• Alcohol
• Benzodiazepines
• Ketamine
• Opioids

Always ask a healthcare provider about prescribed meds.

Safety and Safer Using

• Use a syringe or scale to measure your dose accurately (a bottle cap is not a standard unit of measurement)
• Avoid mixing with alcohol or other depressants
• Wait before redosing—don’t guess, use a tracker or   timer on your phone to space out doses.
• Use with trusted friends who can help if needed
• Keep emergency contact info handy
• Know the signs of overdose and act quickly if they show up
• Try to avoid using GHB/GBL/BDO alone.

G-mergency Response – Resources

The GHB market in Ontario is changing and gbMSM who Party n’ Play are sounding the alarm. The G-emergency Response is a grass roots group of queer men who have experience of PnP and GHB and want to keep their community safe  in the light of several GHB related deaths in the fall of 2023.

In partnership with the GMSH and the CBRC, they developed a set of postcards with critical information on GHB safety covering the following topics:

1. “What’s in my vial?” – Distinguishes GHB, GBL, and BDO, advising dose adjustments per substance, along with onset of effects and duration info.
2. “Dose Tracker” – Facilitates dose monitoring, reducing accidental overdoses.
3. Before You Dose -What affects your high and a checklist to run through before you measure out your dose.
4. “How to respond to an G-mergency” – Offers insights on managing poisoning/overdose situations and basics around the Good Samaritan Law.

These resources are about saving lives and have been crafted by and for GHB/GBL and BDO users. They’re accessible, user-friendly, and shareable, promoting informed decisions.

These postcards draw on information from DanceSafe, The Alliance for Collaborative Drug Checking Group, The Loop, and personal experiences. They were reviewed by the Toronto Drug Checking Service, with insights from the European Chemsex Forum, the GMSH and the CBRC.

The Drug & The Law

GHB is illegal to possess or sell in Canada. But under the Good Samaritan Drug Overdose Act, anyone can call 911 for an overdose without fear of simple possession charges. This applies even if you’re on probation or parole.

Final Thoughts

GHB can feel relaxing and intimate, but the line between pleasure and harm is thin—especially when dosing isn’t exact or other depressants are added. In PnP spaces, informed consent and safer use keeps the experience positive and respectful.

Take care of yourself—and each other.