What It Is: GHB (gamma hydroxybutyrate) is a depressant. It's usually available as a clear liquid. It is known as a designer drug because it is made (usually in home basement labs) for the purposes of getting high. Like Ecstasy, GHB is popular with club-goers and those who go to "rave" parties, including teens and young adults. When mixed with alcohol, it has a depressant effect that can cause someone to black out. This is why GHB is often called the date rape drug. Sometimes Called: Liquid Ecstasy, G, Georgia homeboy, cups How It's Used: Swallowed (in liquid or powder form, which is mixed with water, or as tablets) What It Does: GHB causes both a euphoric high (intense rush of happy feelings) and hallucinations. GHB has caused many young people to need emergency medical care. Because the liquid is odorless and colorless, it's sometimes slipped unknowingly into a person's drink. Side effects of GHB use include drowsiness, dizziness, nausea, vomiting, and vision changes. People who take GHB may become unconscious (pass out), stop breathing, and go into a coma. GHB use can kill. Because both GHB and alcohol are depressants, mixing the two is very, very dangerous and can be deadly — even if someone has only taken low doses of the drug. Because of its serious effects, GHB has led to emergency medical care for many young people and has killed more users than the drug Ecstasy. Back to Articles Related Articles Dealing With Addiction Find out what you can do if you think you or a friend has a drug or alcohol addiction - from recognizing the warning signs to suggestions to help you stay clean. Read More Drugs: What to Know It's not hard to find drugs, and sometimes it may seem like everyone's doing them or wanting you to do them. But there are downsides (and dangers) to taking drugs. Read More Date Rape About half of people who have been raped know the person who attacked them. This article explains what date rape is, how to protect yourself, and what to do if you've been raped. Read More Rohypnol Rohypnol is a powerful sedative that has a reputation as a "date rape" drug. Find out more about it in this article for teens. Read More Depressants Taken medically, depressants help people get through problems like anxiety. But when used as a recreational drug, they can cause problems and affect some of the body's vital functions. Find out more. Read More Ketamine Ketamine is a fast-acting and powerful anesthetic that is often used as a date rape drug. Find out more in this article for teens. Read More Binge Drinking The definition of binge drinking in the United States is the consumption of five or more drinks in a row by men – or four or more drinks in a row by women – at least once in the previous two weeks. Surprised? Find out more. Read More Alcohol Deciding whether to drink is a personal decision that we each eventually have to make. Get the facts about alcohol. Read More School Counselors School counselors can give you all sorts of tips and support on solving problems and making good decisions. But how do you meet with a counselor and what is it like? Find out here. Read More Note: All information is for educational purposes only. For specific medical advice, diagnoses, and treatment, consult your doctor. © 1995-2021 KidsHealth®. All rights reserved. Images provided by The Nemours Foundation, iStock, Getty Images, Veer, Shutterstock, and Clipart.com.