All kinds of people, including bodybuilders, doctors, and frat boys, know about or have heard about Gamma-hydroxybutyrate, also known as GHB. It has a past of being recognized as an excellent way to build muscle, but also as a date rape drug, and in some cases has claimed the lives of people. GHB can be a very useful drug, but it can also be very dangerous. The following is more information about where it comes from, what it's used for, and if bodybuilders should give it the time of day.



GHB, or Gamma-hydroxybutyrate, was first utilized in Europe for a wide number of medical reasons. It was primarily taken as a pain killer during the time of childbirth, used as a sedative for people addicted to drugs and alcohol, and was also used as a general anesthetic for all kinds of problems in the emergency room. Around 20 years ago you could buy it over the counter in the United States. Most of the stores that specialized in healthy foods said GHB was widely sold to bodybuilders looking to gain muscle mass while burning off fat, also because of the relaxing feeling of comfort felt after using it.

As is the trouble with a lot of other kinds of drugs, people started using GHB way too much. Just as the drug Ephedra was very widely used until users began consuming it in large amounts and being killed by it, GHB was soon consumed in large amounts and resulted with negative effects. People who consume GHB can go through a big selection of side effects. High doses cause the person to become very drowsy, which is why it has been used as a date rape drug. Heavy consumption can possibly result in violent seizures and perhaps death. Reduced blood pressure levels can take place, which has been known to result in heart attacks as well as strokes. Uncontrollable diarrhea or urination is another possible side effect due to the heavy relaxation effects that the drug has.

In early November of the year 1990, the FDA initiated a total ban on GHB in the United States. Pressure from the public had much influence due to all the incidences from GHB use on college grounds and areas. Even though it was made to assist with increasing muscle mass and burning body fat, men were slipping it to women in large amounts without them knowing. Date rape statistics had gone way up and a few people even died from using it.

Instead of finding someway to regulate it since it was still a useful drug when used properly, the FDA chose that banning it in the United States was the better decision. The ban made possession of GHB very dangerous considering the heavy legal ramifications; so most bodybuilders don't even try to use GHB because the risk these days is way too high.