GBL Facts
Depressant;
Dose and durationby route · individual sensitivity varies
Oral(mL)
Threshold< 0.3 mLLight0.3 – 0.9 mLCommon0.9 – 1.5 mLStrong1.5 – 3 mLHeavy3+ mL
Starts in 3 – 10 minLasts 1 – 2 hoursAfter-effects 1 – 3 hours
Body and dependence
- Acute toxicity
- High
- Chronic toxicity
- Moderate
- Physical dependence
- High
- Psychological dependence
- High
- Withdrawal
- Life-threatening · fatal · medical supervision
- Compulsive redosing
- High
Tolerance
- Builds
- Rapid
- Fully resets after
- 10.5 days
- Carries over to
- GHB;
1,4-butanediol
Effectslikely at a common dose
- Perception
- none likely · 10 possible, including Spatial disorientation, Vestibular distortion, Visual acuity suppression
- Body
- Motor control impairment;
Muscle relaxation; Sedation; +15 possible, including Dizziness, Nausea, Nystagmus (eye wobbles) - Thinking
- none likely · 17 possible, including Cognitive impairment, Decision impairment, Analysis suppression
- Feeling
- none likely · 6 possible, including Emotional lability
- Self
- Disinhibition;
+7 possible, including Craving, Communication suppression - Time
- none likely · 2 possible, including Temporal disorientation
Who shouldn't take it
Absolute
Concurrent ketamine or dissociative use; Concurrent alcohol use; Concurrent opioid use; Concurrent CNS depressant medications
Relative
Cardiac conduction disorders; Respiratory conditions; History of seizures; History of substance dependence; Pregnancy and breastfeeding
Combinations64 recorded
Lethal (7)
Baclofen; Buprenorphine; GHB, GBL; Ketamine, DXM, PCP; Kratom; Opioids; Tramadol
Dangerous (36)
Alpha-2 adrenergic receptor antagonist; Antihistamines; Antipsychotics; Benzodiazepines; Benzodiazepines, Barbiturates; Cannabis, THC; Clonidine, Guanfacine; MDMA, Amphetamines; Synthetic cannabinoids; Amphetamines; Anticholinergics; Atypical antipsychotics; Buprenorphine, Kratom; Buspirone; Caffeine; Cannabis; Dopamine agonists; DXM; Gabapentin, Pregabalin; Ibogaine; Lithium; Local anesthetics; MAOIs; MDMA, MDA; and 12 more, see full page
Caution (14)
See full page: psychedex.org/substances/gbl
Not graded (7)
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
- Try to wake them — shout, firm sternal rub
- If unresponsive or breathing is impaired, call emergency services
- Place them in the recovery position — critical, they can choke on vomit
- Monitor breathing continuously; be ready to give rescue breaths / CPR
- Never leave them alone to "sleep it off"
- 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/gbl · Version r1.a1 · Not medical adviceValues as of