Dialogos

The Deadly Substance GBL: What You Need to Know

Published January 7, 2026, 18:00
The Deadly Substance GBL: What You Need to Know

The substance GBL (gamma-Butyrolactone) has been identified as the cause of poisoning of five people in Larnaca, raising questions about its use and distribution. GBL is an industrial chemical with legitimate applications as a solvent in products such as paint strippers and wheel cleaners, but it is illegally used as 'liquid ecstasy'. It acts as a 'prodrug', being metabolized into GHB, a potent central nervous system depressant. Its danger lies in its difficulty to detect, the small difference between euphoric and lethal doses, and the increased toxicity when combined with alcohol. Symptoms of poisoning include dizziness, nausea, seizures, coma, and respiratory arrest. Authorities are investigating the origin of the substance and how it was distributed.