title: Enhancing sexual desire and experience: an investigation of the sexual correlates of gamma-hydroxybutyrate (GHB) use.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Various studies have dealt with gamma-hydroxybutyrate's (GHB) potential role in sexual assaults, while the sexual correlates of intentional recreational GHB use have not well been highlighted. Our study aims to explore GHB's sexual effects, the patterns of choice of sexual partners, the frequency of experienced blackouts, and endured sexual or acquisitory crimes as a result of GHB use.
  
  
  METHODS
  Sixty recreational GHB users filled out a questionnaire on experienced subjective, somatic, and sexual effects of GHB, the frequency of blackouts due to their GHB use, and items on their sexual experiences in relation to GHB use.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Of the sample, 25.9% reported increased sexual arousal as well as more intense attraction towards their sexual partners and increased sexual openness when using GHB; 34.8% had sexual intercourse with strangers, or with others, but not with their partners when using GHB; and 8.6% were victims of acquisitory crimes, whereas 3.4% were victims of a sexual assault. Furthermore, 24.6% typically experienced blackouts when using GHB.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Gamma-hydroxybutyrate seems to be a potential substitute for both stimulant and depressant substances. Increased sexual desire and disinhibition may lead to a more frequent and potentially more riskful sexual activity. Experienced blackouts need to be considered as risk factors for suffering sexual or acquisitory crimes.
authors.affiliation: Institute of Psychology, Eötvös Loránd University, Budapest, Hungary.|Doctoral School of Psychology, Eötvös Loránd University, Budapest, Hungary.|Nyírő Gyula Hospital Drug Outpatient and Prevention Center, Budapest, Hungary.|Faculty of Health Sciences, Semmelweis University, Budapest, Hungary.
authors.forename: Máté
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Kapitány-Fövény
authors.affiliation: Institute of Psychology, Eötvös Loránd University, Budapest, Hungary.|Doctoral School of Psychology, Eötvös Loránd University, Budapest, Hungary.
authors.forename: Barbara
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Mervó
authors.affiliation: School of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Hertfordshire, Hatfield, UK.
authors.forename: Ornella
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Corazza
authors.affiliation: Institute of Psychology, Eötvös Loránd University, Budapest, Hungary.
authors.forename: Gyöngyi
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Kökönyei
authors.affiliation: Institute of Psychology, Eötvös Loránd University, Budapest, Hungary.|Doctoral School of Psychology, Eötvös Loránd University, Budapest, Hungary.|Nyírő Gyula Hospital Drug Outpatient and Prevention Center, Budapest, Hungary.
authors.forename: Judit
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Farkas
authors.affiliation: Institute of Psychology, Eötvös Loránd University, Budapest, Hungary.
authors.forename: Róbert
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Urbán
authors.affiliation: Emergency Ward, Military Hospital State Health Centre, Budapest, Hungary.
authors.forename: Gábor
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Zacher
authors.affiliation: Institute of Psychology, Eötvös Loránd University, Budapest, Hungary.
authors.forename: Zsolt
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Demetrovics
mesh_terms: D000759:Adjuvants, Anesthesia / Q000494:pharmacology*; D000328:Adult; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D012725:Sexual Behavior / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000523:psychology; D012978:Sodium Oxybate / Q000494:pharmacology*; D018709:Statistics, Nonparametric; D019966:Substance-Related Disorders / Q000150:complications / Q000523:psychology*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D000759:Adjuvants, Anesthesia; D012978:Sodium Oxybate
keywords: GHB; acquisitory crimes; gamma-hydroxybutyrate; recreational use; sexual assault; sexual behavior