title: GHB: a home brew.
abstract: Gamma-hydroxybutyric acid is an allegedly benign illicit substance that is gaining increasing recognition and attention among substance abusers and athletes. Alongside foreign-made brands, the compound is also easily available, at low cost because of the facility with which it can be produced in one's kitchen. Named by some "Nature's Quaalude" or sold as a health product, it is often used with a false sense of security as it may cause serious and disabling complications, as illustrated by this clinical vignette.
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychiatry and Human Behavior, Thomas Jefferson Medical College, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA.
authors.forename: V R
authors.initials: VR
authors.lastname: Sanguineti
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Angelo
authors.forename: M R
authors.initials: MR
authors.lastname: Frank
mesh_terms: D018686:Anesthetics, Intravenous / Q000009:adverse effects*; D014150:Antipsychotic Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006212:Hallucinations / Q000209:etiology; D006220:Haloperidol / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006760:Hospitalization; D006801:Humans; D013287:Illicit Drugs; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011605:Psychoses, Substance-Induced / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000523:psychology / Q000534:rehabilitation; D012978:Sodium Oxybate / Q000009:adverse effects*
chemical_list: D018686:Anesthetics, Intravenous; D014150:Antipsychotic Agents; D013287:Illicit Drugs; D012978:Sodium Oxybate; D006220:Haloperidol