Research chemicalDepressantGABA-B agonistGHB prodrugIndustrial solvent

1,4-Butanediol

Also known as BDO · BD · 1,4-B · Tetramethylene glycol · Butane-1,4-diol

Written by enwyReviewed 15 Jul 20262 sources0 comments

1,4-Butanediol (BDO) is an industrial solvent and a prodrug of GHB: it is metabolised in the liver to GHB via alcohol and aldehyde dehydrogenase. Its effects, narrow dose-response and dependence risk mirror GHB, but onset is delayed and variable, and its shared metabolism with ethanol produces a dangerous interaction with alcohol.

01 Overview

1,4-Butanediol is used industrially in plastics and solvents and, like GBL, is misused as a GHB substitute. It is converted to GHB by the same enzymes that metabolise alcohol, so the two compete: drinking alcohol slows BDO's conversion and can prolong and unpredictably shift its effects, while the combined depressant load raises the risk of coma.

Because conversion is enzymatic and slower than GBL, onset is delayed, which encourages premature redosing and overshoot. Once converted, the profile is that of GHB, including the steep dose-response, severe physical dependence with heavy use, and a potentially life-threatening withdrawal syndrome.

02 Mechanism

A GHB prodrug metabolised by alcohol dehydrogenase and aldehyde dehydrogenase to gamma-hydroxybutyrate, which then acts at GHB and GABA-B receptors. Shared metabolism with ethanol underlies the alcohol interaction.

03 Dosing

Tier	Dose	Route	Notes
Light	0.5–1 ml	Oral	Delayed onset; must be diluted. Wait fully before considering more.
Common	1–2 ml	Oral	Effects resemble GHB after enzymatic conversion; narrow margin.
Strong	2–3 ml	Oral	High risk of unconsciousness; delayed onset makes overshoot easy.

04 Effects

Effect	Magnitude	Evidence
Euphoria and disinhibitionRelaxation and sociability once converted to GHB.	dose-dependent	Observational
SedationDrowsiness progressing to deep sleep at higher doses.	dose-dependent	Observational
Delayed, variable onsetEnzymatic conversion makes timing and intensity harder to predict than GHB or GBL.	unpredictable	Observational

05 Side effects

Effect	Severity	Frequency	Evidence
Overdose, coma and respiratory arrestDelayed onset encourages redosing and overshoot into sudden coma; risk greatly increased by alcohol.	Life-threatening	Common at recreational doses	Observational
Dependence and withdrawal syndromeFrequent dosing causes severe physical dependence; withdrawal can be life-threatening.	Life-threatening	With heavy, frequent use	Observational
Nausea and mucosal irritationUnpleasant taste, nausea and irritation of the gut, worse when undiluted.	Moderate	Common if undiluted	Observational

06 Legal status

United States

Treated as GHB when intended for human consumption

Regulated under GHB analogue provisions when meant for ingestion; otherwise an industrial chemical. · as of Jan 2026

United Kingdom

Class B

Controlled under the Misuse of Drugs Act. · as of Jan 2026

07 References

1,4-Butanediol as a GHB prodrug: metabolism and toxicityPubMed

GHB/GBL drug profileEuropean Monitoring Centre for Drugs and Drug Addiction (EUDA)

08 Discussion0 comments

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This page is reference information, not medical advice. Doses and protocols are documented as they appear in the clinical literature and in practice — describing them is not a recommendation to use them. Countermeasures listed here are not a substitute for a physician. Legal status varies by jurisdiction and changes.