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GBL

GBL molecule structureGBL molecule structure
gamma-Butyrolactone
Blue Nitro, Renewtrient, Revivarant, gamma-BL, 1,4-lactone
Psychoactive Class
Depressant

GBL is a synthetic depressant of the lactone chemical class that functions as a prodrug for GHBcitation needed, producing powerful euphoric and disinhibiting effects comparable to alcohol intoxication. It is widely available as an industrial solvent and cleaning agent. GBL is a strong acid that corrodes mucous membranes and must be heavily diluted in a non-alcoholic beverage before oral consumption. It also dissolves most plastics, requiring glass or high-density polyethylene containers for storage.

Dosage & Duration

Dosage

Doses are population estimates that vary widely between individuals.

Threshold~0.3 ml
Light0.3-0.9 ml
Moderate0.9-1.5 ml
Strong1.5-2 ml
Heavy2+ ml

GBL is highly caustic and must be diluted thoroughly in a non-alcoholic liquid before ingestion to avoid injury to the mouth, throat, and stomach lining. Amounts above 2 ml commonly produce deep sedation or unconsciousness. Individual response varies widely; compared with GHB, GBL acts more rapidly and with greater potency, though its effects are shorter-lived. First time users are recommended to start lower as lactonase enzyme levels vary between individuals, which can produce unpredictable responses.

Duration

Onset3-10 minutes
Come Up5-15 minutes
Peak30-45 minutes
Offset15-30 minutes
After Effects1-3 hours
Total1-2 hours

Subjective Effects

Legacy content. A statistically backed ontology from Mindstate Design Labs is coming soon.

Effects vary widely by individual, dose, and context.

Physical

The physical effects of GBL can be broken down into several components which progressively intensify proportional to dosage.

EuphoriaNauseaMotor control lossDizzinessDehydration

Cognitive

The cognitive effects of GBL can be broken down into several components which progressively intensify proportional to dosage.

DisinhibitionInformation processing suppressionThought decelerationAmnesiaEuphoriaAnxiety suppression
Forked from Subjective Effect Documentation byJosie Kins September 2015.

Pharmacology

Pharmacodynamics

GBL is not pharmacologically active in its own right.citation needed It functions exclusively as a prodrug of gamma-hydroxybutyric acid (GHB), a central nervous system depressant. All of GBL's pharmacological effects are attributable to its rapid in vivo conversion to GHB following absorption.

Pharmacokinetics

GBL is rapidly converted to GHB in the blood by paraoxonase (lactonase) enzymes.citation needed Animals lacking these enzymes exhibit no effects from GBL. Due to its greater lipophilicity compared to GHB, GBL is absorbed more quickly and achieves higher bioavailability, resulting in a faster onset and shorter duration of action. Lactonase enzyme levels vary between individuals, which can produce unpredictable responses, particularly in first-time users. One milliliter of pure GBL converts to approximately 1.65 grams of sodium GHB equivalent.

Interactions

Dangerous

Highest risk

These combinations are considered extremely harmful and should always be avoided. Reactions to these drugs taken in combination are highly unpredictable and have a potential to cause death.

AlcoholBenzodiazepinesDiphenhydramineDXMKetamineMXEOpioidsPCPPregabalinTramadol

Caution

Use caution

These combinations are not usually physically harmful, but may produce undesirable effects, such as physical discomfort or overstimulation. Extreme use may cause physical health issues. Synergistic effects may be unpredictable. Care should be taken when choosing to use this combination.

AmphetaminesCocaineMDMAMephedroneNitrous oxide
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Tolerance

Tolerance timelines are rules of thumb, not exact schedules, and vary widely between individuals and use patterns.

Full Tolerance
Tolerance to sedative-hypnotic effects develops quickly, usually over several days of uninterrupted use. GBL is believed to produce dependence more rapidly than longer-duration depressants, and withdrawal effects are reported to escalate faster than with GHB itself.
Cross Tolerance

GHB, 1,4-Butanediol, Other GABAergic depressants (alcohol, phenibut, baclofen, and other GABA-B agonists)

Baseline Reset
Tolerance returns to baseline within 7-14 days after cessation of use. Abrupt discontinuation following several days or longer of steady dosing may necessitate gradual dose reduction to minimize withdrawal-related neurotoxicity.

Harm Potential

Addiction & Dependence

Psychological

High

Moderate to high psychological addiction potential with compulsive redosing commonly reported due to the substance's short duration. When consumed in excessive amounts with high frequency dosing, psychological dependence can develop.

Physical

High

Physical dependence can develop with frequent use, with withdrawal effects reportedly building faster than with GHB and other longer-acting depressants. Withdrawal symptoms range from anxiety, insomnia, and tremors in light to moderate users, to severe symptoms including delirium, psychosis, and hallucinations in heavy users.citation needed Some users adopt around-the-clock dosing regimes simply to avoid withdrawal. Withdrawal severity is comparable to benzodiazepine withdrawal syndrome in prolonged heavy use cases.

Toxicity

Gastrointestinal

GBL acts as a mucous membrane irritant and solvent, causing esophageal and gastro-intestinal irritation particularly when taken undiluted; stomach discomfort, nausea, and pain are more common with GBL than with GHB.

Central Nervous System

Chronic administration may impair spatial memory, working memory, and learning; animal studies demonstrated neuronal loss in the hippocampus and prefrontal cortex with repeated dosing, paradoxically showing greater neurotoxicity at lower doses than higher doses.citation needed

Psychosis Risk

Psychosis, delirium, and hallucinations can occur as severe withdrawal symptoms following heavy, prolonged use.citation needed These psychiatric symptoms are associated with abrupt discontinuation rather than acute intoxication.

Seizure Risk

Seizures can occur at very high doses and during withdrawal from chronic high-dose consumption. GBL is reportedly less prone to causing seizures and convulsions than GHB during intoxication. Uncontrollable muscle twitching at high doses may progress into epileptic seizures. Withdrawal-induced epileptic seizures are documented with abrupt discontinuation of frequent heavy use.

History & Culture

GBL has a long history as an industrial chemical, primarily valued as a solvent and intermediate in the synthesis of other compounds. Its commercial applications have included use as a flavoring agent, stain remover, wheel cleaner, paint stripper, superglue remover, and as a solvent in certain wet…

Legality

International

GBL is not listed under the 1961 Single Convention on Narcotic Drugs. It is not listed under the 1971 Convention on Psychotropic Substances. It is not listed under the 1988 Convention against Illicit Traffic in Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances.

By Country

Illegal8
Argentina flagArgentinaIllegal
Austria flagAustriaIllegal (NPSG)
Germany flagGermanyIllegal
Hong Kong flagHong KongIllegal
Israel flagIsraelIllegal
Spain flagSpainIllegal (analog/blanket ban)
Switzerland flagSwitzerlandIllegal (analog/blanket ban)
Turkey flagTurkeyIllegal
Controlled / restricted14
United States flagUnited StatesControlled precursor
Australia flagAustraliaRestricted
Belgium flagBelgiumRestricted
Brazil flagBrazilRestricted
Canada flagCanadaControlled precursor
France flagFranceRestricted
Italy flagItalyRestricted
Mexico flagMexicoControlled precursor
Netherlands flagNetherlandsRestricted
Poland flagPolandControlled Drug
South Korea flagSouth KoreaControlled precursor
Sweden flagSwedenRestricted
Ukraine flagUkraineRestricted
United Kingdom flagUnited KingdomRestricted

References

Source Pages

  1. DrugBank: Gamma-Butyrolactone
  2. Erowid: Gamma Butyrolactone Vault
  3. Erowid: GBL Basics
  4. Isomer Design (TiHKAL/PiHKAL)
  5. PsychonautWiki
  6. TripSit Factsheets
  7. TripSit: Drug Combinations Chart
  8. Wikipedia

Citations

  1. ANMAT Disposición 11276/2016. argentina.gob.ar (n.d.). https://www.argentina.gob.ar/normativa/nacional/disposici%C3%B3n-11276-2016-266532/texto1
  2. Criminal Code Regulations 2019, Compilation No. 6 (in force 13 December 2025), Schedule 2. legislation.gov.au (n.d.). https://www.legislation.gov.au/F2019L00561/2025-12-13/2025-12-13/text/original/epub/OEBPS/document_1/document_1.html1
  3. Criminal Code Act 1995, Compilation No. 174 (30 June 2026), section 307.1. legislation.gov.au (n.d.). https://www.legislation.gov.au/C2004A04868/2026-06-30/2026-06-30/text/original/epub/OEBPS/document_2/document_2.html1
  4. Crimes (Amount of a Penalty Unit) Instrument 2026. legislation.gov.au (n.d.). https://www.legislation.gov.au/F2026N00424/asmade/2026-06-16/text/original/pdf1
  5. Neue-Psychoaktive-Substanzen-Gesetz (NPSG), BGBl. I Nr. 146/2011. (n.d.). https://www.ris.bka.gv.at/GeltendeFassung.wxe?Abfrage=Bundesnormen&Gesetzesnummer=200076051
  6. Royal Decree of 6 September 2017 regulating narcotic drugs and psychotropic substances. afmps.be (n.d.). https://www.afmps.be/sites/default/files/content/INSP/NARC/kb-ar-20170906.pdf1
  7. Royal Decree of 6 September 2017 regulating narcotic drugs and psychotropic substances. afmps.be (n.d.). https://www.afmps.be/fr/usage_humain/produits_particuliers/substances_specialement_reglementees/stupefiants_et_psychotropes1
  8. Royal Decree of 6 September 2017 regulating narcotic drugs and psychotropic substances. afmps.be (n.d.). https://www.afmps.be/sites/default/files/content/INSP/NARC/annex%20V_non%20official%20version.pdf1
  9. Portaria SVS/MS nº 344/1998, as amended by RDC nº 784/2023. gov.br (n.d.). https://www.gov.br/anvisa/pt-br/assuntos/medicamentos/controlados/lista-substancias1
  10. Portaria SVS/MS nº 344/1998, as amended by RDC nº 784/2023. gov.br (n.d.). https://www.gov.br/anvisa/pt-br/assuntos/medicamentos/controlados/arquivos/RDC784.2023.pdf1

Further Reading

  1. ACMD: GBL & 1,4-BD Assessment of Risk to the Individual
  2. Corkery et al. 2015 - GHB, GBL and 1,4-BD Literature Review
  3. DrugWise: GBL Factsheet
  4. Goodwin & Weerts 2006 - Behavioral Effects of GBL in Baboons

Article Status

  • Josie Kins avatar
    Step 1 · Automated synthesis

    An autonomous workflow built by Josie Kins compiled this article's foundation from information published across the web.

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    Step 2 · First-pass review

    A first pass manual review and edit of article prose and copy has been performed by subject-matter expert Lyrea. This does not guarantee factual accuracy. An additional human review for each of this article's citations is yet to be performed.

  • Step 3 · Citation reviewPending

    No one has reviewed this article's citations yet. That second pass checks each claim against the source it cites.

Recent changes8 human edits · latest

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26 August 2026

  1. Lyrea · Edited in History & Culture › Content

  2. Lyrea · Edited in History & Culture › Content

  3. Lyrea · Reworded 12 words in Dosage & Duration › Routes 1 › Notes

  4. Lyrea · Reworded 25 words in Dosage & Duration › Routes 1 › Notes

24 January 2026

  1. Josie Kins · Updated the article · also 1,4-Butanediol, 1B-LSD, 1cP-AL-LAD and 573 more

  2. Josie Kins · Updated the article · also 1,4-Butanediol, 1B-LSD, 1cP-AL-LAD and 573 more

  3. Josie Kins · Updated the article · also 1,4-Butanediol, 1B-LSD, 1cP-AL-LAD and 573 more

  4. Josie Kins · Updated the article · also 1,4-Butanediol, 1B-LSD, 1cP-AL-LAD and 573 more

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