Use, function, and subjective experiences of gamma-hydroxybutyrate (GHB)

Area of Science:

• Psychopharmacology
• Sociology of drug use
• Recreational drug research

Background:

• Gamma-hydroxybutyrate (GHB) use has risen, frequently linked to adverse outcomes like overdose and drug-facilitated sexual assault.
• Limited research exists on the subjective experience and motivations behind GHB intoxication.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the phenomenology and functional reasons for gamma-hydroxybutyrate (GHB) use.
• To explore the subjective effects and contextual factors associated with GHB consumption.

Main Methods:

• An online questionnaire was administered to 189 individuals reporting lifetime GHB use.
• Data collected included GHB use behaviors, functions, and subjective effects.
• Principal components analysis was used to identify patterns in user-reported effects.

Main Results:

• The primary reported functions for GHB use were recreation (non-club settings), sexual enhancement, sociability, and exploring altered states.
• GHB was more frequently used in domestic settings (67%) than in nightlife (26.1%), with variations based on sexuality.
• Six distinct components of subjective GHB effects were identified, which predicted the function of use.

Conclusions:

• GHB use is multifaceted, extending beyond nightlife contexts and often serving recreational, social, and sexual enhancement purposes.
• Subjective effects of GHB are diverse and play a significant role in determining the user's motivation for consumption.
• Understanding the varied phenomenology and contexts of GHB use is crucial for targeted harm reduction strategies.