Extraction and Analysis of Gamma-Hydroxybutyrate (GHB) in hair samples 

Gamma-Hydroxybutyrate (GHB) is a naturally occurring substance found in the human central nervous system.  It is also easily synthesised.  GHB has been used medically as a general anesthetic, as well as to treat conditions such as insomnia, clinical depression, narcolepsy, and alcoholism.  Illegally, it has been used as an intoxicant or as an agent in Drug Facilitated Sexual Assaults (DFSA) or to improve athletic performance.  GHB has a very short window of detection in urine and blood making it difficult to detect in support of date rape cases.  Using hair samples has been shown to be a viable alternative for detecting the presence of GHB above normal levels. 

The process for determining the GHB involves a series of steps: sample preparation, conditioning the extraction column, applying the sample, washing the column, eluting the GHB and drying it.

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