Menu
Home
People
Places
Arts
History
Plants & Animals
Science
Life & Culture
Technology
Reference.org
γ-Hydroxybutyric acid
open-in-new
<p>γ-Hydroxybutyric acid, also known as <i>gamma</i>-hydroxybutyric acid, GHB, or 4-hydroxybutanoic acid, is a naturally occurring <a href="/facts/Neurotransmitter/LlpYFSU3">neurotransmitter</a> and a <a href="/facts/Depressant/T5A9pvLB">depressant drug</a>. It is a precursor to <a href="/facts/GABA/IbYbIxzr">GABA</a>, <a href="/facts/Glutamate/7oXbNcvu">glutamate</a>, and <a href="/facts/Glycine/3nXI1hqW">glycine</a> in certain brain areas. It acts on the <a href="/facts/GHB_receptor/KgStMFp8">GHB receptor</a> and is a weak <a href="/facts/Agonist/nz8U5NNp">agonist</a> at the <a href="/facts/GABAB_receptor/dRomDjtq">GABAB</a> receptor. GHB has been used in the medical setting as a <a href="/facts/General_anaesthetic/YNM2tqty">general anesthetic</a> and as treatment for <a href="/facts/Cataplexy/DSr8VemL">cataplexy</a>, <a href="/facts/Narcolepsy/YfQFgVbd">narcolepsy</a>, and <a href="/facts/Alcoholism/KGPzpChp">alcoholism</a>. The substance is also used illicitly for various reasons, including as a <a href="/facts/Performance-enhancing_substance/NydFWSGJ">performance-enhancing drug</a>, <a href="/facts/Date-rape_drug/QnKVLvcN">date rape drug</a>, and as a <a href="/facts/Recreational_drug_use/eoBD3vKn">recreational drug</a>. </p><p>It is commonly used in the form of a salt, such as sodium γ-hydroxybutyrate (NaGHB, <a href="/facts/Sodium_oxybate/TY9jPqHh">sodium oxybate</a>, or Xyrem) or potassium γ-hydroxybutyrate (KGHB, potassium oxybate). GHB is also produced as a result of fermentation, and is found in small quantities in some beers and wines, beef, and small citrus fruits. </p><p><a href="/facts/Succinic_semialdehyde_dehydrogenase_deficiency/j8aqbU7p">Succinic semialdehyde dehydrogenase deficiency</a> is a disease that causes GHB to accumulate in the blood. </p>