Gamma-Hydroxyvaleric acid explained

γ-Hydroxyvaleric acid (GHV), also known as 4-methyl-GHB, is a designer drug related to γ-hydroxybutyric acid (GHB). It is sometimes seen on the grey market as a legal alternative to GHB, but with lower potency and higher toxicity,^[1] properties which have tended to limit its recreational use.^[2]

γ-Valerolactone (GVL) acts as a prodrug to GHV, analogously to how γ-butyrolactone (GBL) is a prodrug to GHB.^[3]

See also

• 1,4-Butanediol (1-4-BD)
• Aceburic acid
• Valerenic acid
• Valeric acid

Notes and References

1. Carter LP, Chen W, Wu H, Mehta AK, Hernandez RJ, Ticku MK, Coop A, Koek W, France CP . 6 . Comparison of the behavioral effects of gamma-hydroxybutyric acid (GHB) and its 4-methyl-substituted analog, gamma-hydroxyvaleric acid (GHV) . Drug and Alcohol Dependence . 78 . 1 . 91–99 . April 2005 . 15769562 . 10.1016/j.drugalcdep.2004.10.002 .
2. Book: Smith F . Handbook of Forensic Drug Analysis. 31 December 2004. Academic Press. 978-0-08-047289-8. 462–.
3. Andresen-Streichert H, Jungen H, Gehl A, Müller A, Iwersen-Bergmann S . Uptake of gamma-valerolactone--detection of gamma-hydroxyvaleric acid in human urine samples . Journal of Analytical Toxicology . 37 . 4 . 250–254 . May 2013 . 23486087 . 10.1093/jat/bkt013 . free .