GHB/GBL + Benzodiazepines
GHB/GBL + Benzodiazepines: the short answerBoth are potent GABA-acting sedatives with steep overdose curves; together they cause deep coma and breathing failure. This is a combination to avoid entirely — unresponsiveness means call emergency services now.
Why it’s dangerous
GHB/GBL stimulates GABA-B receptors and benzodiazepines amplify GABA-A signaling, so the two sedative systems are pushed at once. The coma that results can be profound and prolonged, breathing can fail, and because benzos also erase memory, the person may re-dose GHB without remembering the last one.
What happens
- Profound, hard-to-reverse unconsciousness
- Respiratory depression and low blood pressure
- Complete blackouts and accidental re-dosing
- Choking on vomit while unconscious
Warning signs
- Cannot be woken at all, even briefly
- Very slow or irregular breathing
- Cold, clammy, or bluish skin
What to do
- Call emergency services immediately; report both substances if known
- Recovery position and constant breathing checks until help arrives
- Naloxone will not help either drug — airway and breathing support are what matter
- Do not use benzos to 'come down' from GHB or to sleep after it — that is when this mix kills