Sodium 4-Hydroxyvalerate, a novel GHB analog 
by Rhodium <rhodium@anon.nymserver.com>

In J. Med. Chem. 31(5), 893-897 (1988), in vitro GHB receptor binding
studies showed that 4-hydroxyvaleratewas an approximately 15% more potent
GHB receptor agonist than GHB itself, and with a potency very near that of
the known GHB agonist T-HCA (trans-4-hydroxycrotonic acid). 

Synthesis of Sodium 4-Hydroxyvalerate:

8 grams (0.2 moles) of sodium hydroxide was dissolved in 50 ml of methanol
with gentle heating, and some insolubles was filtered off. 20 grams of
gamma-valerolactone (0.2 moles) was added as fast as the exothermic 
reaction allowed, the solvent was evaporated in vacuo, and the wet, soapy 
residue was dried in a desiccator over CaCl2. The crude product was finely 
ground in a mortar, placed in a buchner funnel, washed with 200 ml of 
acetone and sucked as dry as possible at the pump. After drying over 
CaCl2, the Sodium gamma-Hydroxy-Valerate, a deliquescent, white, crispy
and slightly soapy powder, weighed 26.9 grams (96% of theory) and had a
pleasant aromatic odor, and a taste not unlike that of Sodium GHB itself.

Bioassay of Sodium 4-Hydroxyvalerate:

Sodium 4-hydroxyvalerate was dissolved in a glass of water, and ingested
on an empty stomach. As anticipated, the taste wasn't too great, and it
reminded me of Sodium GHB. Within about ten minutes the first effects of
the material was felt, and the effects developed gradually during the
first 30 minutes to at that point be clearly felt and distinguishable. 
The peak effects are attained around an hour after ingestion. The first
effects noted are muscle relaxation, and a sense of calmness. At the half
hour point, a sedation can be felt, but the feeling is in part unlike that
of GHB itself, this feeling is more like natural sleepiness than the
feeling gotten from GHB and other sedating pharmaceuticals. At the same
time, the muscle relazation was attenuated, and the body felt very heavy.
During one experiment, with 1 gram of the material, I took a nap
(voluntarily) at about the one hour point, and when I spontaneously woke
up an hour later, I felt very relaxed and refreshed, and the sleep had
been very fine.  At the two hour point, the muscle relaxation is
diminished, as well as the sedation. The effects gradually dissipates
during the following hours, and in my opinion, the duration of the effects
is slightly longer than with GHB, say rather 3-4 h than 2-3 h.

When compared with GHB, there is more muscle relaxation, and the sedative
and anxiolytic effects are noticably more potent. Preliminary, I'd say 
that the compound is subjectively around 1.5 times stronger on a weight
basis. The mood elevating and sociabilizing effects are weaker than with 
GHB itself. The dosage levels tried so far has been 1000-2500mg of the dry
sodium salt. No side effects has been noted, except perhaps a slight
nausea at the peak, but this can also be due to my empty stomach.
