Alcohol
Volume 20, Issue 3 , Pages 263-269, April 2000

Abuse and therapeutic potential of gamma-hydroxybutyric acid

  • G.P Galloway

      Affiliations

    • Drug Detoxification, Rehabilitation, and Aftercare Program, Haight-Ashbury Free Clinics, 603 Clayton Street, San Francisco, CA 94117, USA
    • Department of Clinical Pharmacy, University of California, San Francisco, CA, USA
    • Corresponding Author InformationCorresponding author. Tel.: 415-487-3678; fax: 415-487-1081.(G.P. Galloway)
    • ,
  • S.L Frederick-Osborne

      Affiliations

    • Drug Detoxification, Rehabilitation, and Aftercare Program, Haight-Ashbury Free Clinics, 603 Clayton Street, San Francisco, CA 94117, USA
    • ,
  • Richard Seymour

      Affiliations

    • Office of the President, Haight-Asbury Free Clinics, 612 Clayton Street, San Francisco, CA 94117, USA
    • ,
  • Sarah E Contini

      Affiliations

    • Office of the President, Haight-Asbury Free Clinics, 612 Clayton Street, San Francisco, CA 94117, USA
    • ,
  • David E Smith

      Affiliations

    • Office of the President, Haight-Asbury Free Clinics, 612 Clayton Street, San Francisco, CA 94117, USA
    • Institute of Health and Aging, University of California, San Francisco, CA USA

Received 8 July 1998; received in revised form 3 June 1999; accepted 16 June 1999.

Abstract 

Gamma-hydroxbutyric acid is a compound found in mammalian brain that is structurally related to the neurotransmitters gamma-aminobutyric acid and glutamic acid. Gamma-hydroxybutyric acid effects dopaminergic systems in the brain and may be a neurotransmitter. Gamma-hydroxybutyric acid was first reported as a drug of abuse in 1990 and continues to be abused by bodybuilders, participants of “rave” dance parties, and polydrug abusers. Physical dependence can develop after prolonged, high-dose use, and overdoses have been widely reported. Its use in sexual assaults as a “date rape” drug and availability on the internet have recently emerged. Gamma-hydroxybutyric acid has established efficacy as an anesthetic agent, and preliminary evidence supports its utility in the treatment of alcohol dependence, opiate dependence, and narcolepsy.

Keywords:  Gamma-hydroxbutyric acid, Abuse, Withdrawal syndrome, Internet, Date rape, Anesthesia, Alcohol dependence, Opiate dependence, Narcolepsy

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PII: S0741-8329(99)00090-7

Alcohol
Volume 20, Issue 3 , Pages 263-269, April 2000

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