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of Non-Users
July 1999 GHB Report
by Ward Dean, M.D.
Gamma hydroxy butyric Acid, commonly known as GHB, is a naturally-occurring
substance in the brains of all mammals. GHB is known to act as a neurotransmitter
and is a precursor and metabolite of the amino acid, gamma amino butyric
acid (GABA). GHB is also formed by the body from butyrolactone, or GBL.
GBL is the active ingredient in a class of popular nutritional supplements,
like Olympia Nutrition’s RenewTrient.
The reason for the popularity of GHB (and GBL) is its multitude of health-promoting and mood-enhancing effects. Probably its most popular use is as a safe, non-toxic, non-habit forming inducer of sound, restful sleep. GHB is also classified as a "socializer." In doses less than that required to produce sleep, GHB produces a mild, exhilarating euphoria — most users describe it as "it just makes you feel good." And, unlike alcohol, GHB enhances mood without leaving the consumer with a headache, upset stomach, or damaged brain and liver cells. When it wears off, a GHB user feels amazingly refreshed and alert.
GHB has also been used to treat narcolepsy, depression, anxiety, schizophrenia, Parkinson’s disease, ADD, fibromyalgia, and alcohol and opiate withdrawal. I believe it is also the substance of choice for a wide variety of chronic pain syndromes, including peripheral neuropathy, phantom limb syndrome, neuralgia from nerve root involvement, trigeminal neuralgia, and migraine headaches. GHB also normalizes abnormal EKGs, reduces cholesterol, reduces brain and heart oxygen requirements (thereby potentially reducing the risk of strokes and heart attacks), and stimulates growth hormone release.
With such a wide range of therapeutic benefit, it is not surprising that the pharmaceutical industry and its government hit-men (FDA and DEA) have been working so hard to control its sale and use. After years of trying to demonize GHB as a dangerous "date rape drug" with no legitimate uses, these agencies were almost deliriously happy when they found what they portrayed as the first GHB related death.
The case involved an unfortunate Texas high school volleyball player who died without any apparent cause. Six weeks after her puzzling death, a reanalysis of her blood revealed a GHB level of 27 mg per liter of blood. This girl thus became the "poster child" for GHB demonizers, as the police agencies deliriously propagated the myth that she died from an overdose of GHB. Subsequent events, however, indicate that this was not likely the case.
First, there is no evidence that the victim had ever consumed GHB at all. Second, assuming that a person has about five liters of blood, this would mean that she might have consumed about 150 mg of GHB. That is really a trace amount, which would not even produce a slight buzz. Sleep-inducing doses are in the range of 2,500-3,000 mg. In FDA-sanctioned studies, patients consumed doses in excess of 30,000 mg daily for months on end, without evidence of adverse effects. I know of three people who have consumed as much as 50,000 mg on a regular basis. Clearly, this young woman did not consume a toxic dose, if she had even taken any at all.
GHB Found Routinely in Post-Mortem Blood of Non-GHB Users
A breakthrough in this case occurred last year, with the publication of a finding that GHB is produced in the body after death--even by people who have never consumed GHB. Dr. Randall Baselt, and colleagues, performed an analysis of the blood of 20 cadavers (none of whom were known to have consumed any GHB), in order to evaluate a new GHB analytical protocol (Feiler, et al, 1998). To the researchers’ surprise, they found detectable levels of GHB in 15 of the 20 cadavers, with levels as high as 168 mg/L (more than six times the concentration in the Texas girl)! Dr. Baselt surmised that GHB was produced post-mortem by the breakdown of substances in the blood.
A second study performed by the Los Angeles County Coroner’s Department resulted in similar findings (Anderson and Kuwahara, 1997). In this study, GHB was found in the post mortem blood of 96 randomly selected subjects — again, none of the subjects were known to have ever consumed GHB.
Conclusion
The above findings thus cast doubt upon the claims in the few cases in which GHB was attributed as a cause (or contributing cause) of death, due to finding GHB in post-mortem blood of the "victims." I have investigated nearly every case of death in which GHB was allegedly involved, and have not found one yet where the death could be attributed to any purported toxic effects of GHB (GHB is known to be less toxic than table salt). I contend that GHB (and GBL) are extremely safe substances, which have been demonized unjustifiably by the police, government, and the pharmaceutical industry. This demonization is due to the broad range of clinical benefits of these substances, and because they are safer and more effective mood enhancers than prescription drugs or alcohol. Consequently, the wide availability and use of GHB and GBL would certainly adversely effect the profits of the pharmaceutical and liquor industries.
References
Anderson, Daniel T., and Kuwahara, Tiffany. Endogenous gamma hydroxybutyrate (GHB) levels in postmortem specimens. CAT/NWAFS/SWAFS/SAT Combined Meeting, Las Vegas, Nevada, November 7, 1997 1104 N. Mission Road, Los Angeles, California 90033).
Fieler, Erin L, Coleman, Daniel E., and Baselt, Randall E. Gamma hydroxybutyrate concentrations in pre- and postmortem blood and urine. Clin Chem, 1998, 3: 692.
GHB Articles by Dr. Ward Dean
