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Psychedex
Facts label

1,3-Butanediol Facts

Depressant; Alkanediol; GABA-A receptor positive allosteric modulator

Dose and durationby route · individual sensitivity varies

Oral(g/kg)
Threshold< 0.1 g/kgLight0.2 – 0.3 g/kgCommon0.35 – 0.5 g/kgStrong0.5 – 0.7 g/kgHeavy0.7+ g/kg

Starts in 20 – 40 minLasts 2 – 4 hoursAfter-effects 1 – 3 hours

Body and dependence

Acute toxicity
Low
Chronic toxicity
Moderate
Physical dependence
Moderate
Psychological dependence
Low
Withdrawal
Moderate · medical supervision
Compulsive redosing
Low

Tolerance

Builds
Moderate
Fully resets after
Not recorded
Carries over to
ethanol

Effectslikely at a common dose

Perception
none likely · 8 possible, including Spatial disorientation, Vestibular distortion, Double vision
Body
Motor control impairment; Sedation; +19 possible, including Dizziness, Nystagmus (eye wobbles), Dehydration sensation
Thinking
Cognitive impairment; +17 possible, including Decision impairment, Information processing suppression, Analysis suppression
Feeling
none likely · 5 possible, including Emotional lability
Self
none likely · 6 possible, including Craving
Time
none likely · 2 possible, including Temporal disorientation
Awareness
none likely · 1 possible

Who shouldn't take it

Absolute
Hypoglycemia susceptibility
Relative
Alcohol use disorder; Diabetes mellitus; Pregnancy; Concurrent CNS depressant use

Combinations60 recorded

Lethal (3)
GHB, Baclofen; Ketamine, DXM, PCP; Opioids
Dangerous (35)
Alpha-2 adrenergic receptor antagonist; Antihistamines; Antipsychotics; Atypical antipsychotics; Benzodiazepines; Cannabis, THC; Clonidine, Guanfacine; GHB, GBL; Naltrexone; NSAIDs; Stimulants; Synthetic cannabinoids; THC; Amphetamines; Anticholinergics; Buprenorphine, Kratom; Caffeine; Cannabis; Dopamine agonists; DXM; Gabapentin, Pregabalin; Ibogaine; Lithium; Local anesthetics; and 11 more, see full page
Caution (17)
See full page: psychedex.org/substances/1-3-butanediol
Not graded (5)
Not listed never means safe.

Seek help immediately if

  • Extreme drowsiness — can't stay awake or be roused
  • Confusion, slurred speech, severe loss of coordination
  • Slow, shallow, or irregular breathing
  • Unconsciousness / unresponsive; limp, floppy body
  • Blue lips or fingertips
  • Vomiting while sedated (choking / aspiration risk)
  • Cold, clammy skin; weak pulse

What to do

  1. Try to wake them — shout, firm sternal rub
  2. If unresponsive or breathing is impaired, call emergency services
  3. Place them in the recovery position — critical, they can choke on vomit
  4. Monitor breathing continuously; be ready to give rescue breaths / CPR
  5. Never leave them alone to "sleep it off"
  6. Do not give other drugs, stimulants, or more depressants

Most depressant overdoses resolve with airway protection, breathing support, and monitoring. The danger is respiratory depression and choking on vomit — sharply worse when combined with opioids or alcohol. GHB/GBL overdoses often involve sudden deep unconsciousness and may self-resolve, but airway protection is essential.

988 Suicide & Crisis LifelineFireside Project: 62-FIRESIDE

psychedex.org/substances/1-3-butanediol · Version r1 · Not medical adviceValues as of
On the printout