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GBL Facts

Depressant; Lactone; GHB receptor agonist

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

  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/gbl · Version r1.a1 · Not medical adviceValues as of
On the printout