GHB
GHB
GHB or Gamma-Hydroxybutyric acid (pronounced: /ˈɡæmə haɪˌdrɒksɪbjuːˈtɪrɪk ˈæsɪd/) is a naturally occurring neurotransmitter and a psychoactive drug. It is a precursor to GABA, glutamate, and glycine in certain brain areas. GHB has been used in a medical setting as a general anesthetic, to treat conditions such as insomnia, clinical depression, narcolepsy, and alcoholism, and to improve athletic performance.
Etymology
The term "GHB" is an acronym for its chemical name, Gamma-Hydroxybutyric acid. The prefix "gamma-" in the name refers to the position of the hydroxy group in the butyric acid molecule (-OH on the third carbon atom), "hydroxy" refers to the type of the functional group (-OH), and "butyric acid" refers to the four-carbon acid which is one of the components of the molecule.
Related Terms
- GABA: Gamma-Aminobutyric acid, a neurotransmitter that GHB is a precursor to.
- Glutamate: A neurotransmitter that GHB is a precursor to.
- Glycine: A neurotransmitter that GHB is a precursor to.
- Neurotransmitter: Chemicals that transmit signals across a synapse from one neuron (brain cell) to another 'target' neuron.
- Psychoactive drug: A chemical substance that changes brain function and results in alterations in perception, mood, consciousness, cognition, or behavior.
- Anesthetic: A substance that induces insensitivity to pain.
- Insomnia: A sleep disorder that is characterized by difficulty falling and/or staying asleep.
- Clinical depression: A mental health disorder characterized by persistently depressed mood or loss of interest in activities, causing significant impairment in daily life.
- Narcolepsy: A neurological disorder that affects the control of sleep and wakefulness.
- Alcoholism: A broad term for any drinking of alcohol that results in mental or physical health problems.
External links
- Medical encyclopedia article on GHB
- Wikipedia's article - GHB
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