Because there is such a fine line between the amount required for the desired effects and the amount which leads to overdose, it’s important to take extreme care with dosing. Remember, smaller doses pose less risk, especially since it’s very difficult to know how strong any particular batch is.

Avoid re-dosing, and don’t assume you can take the same amount as your friends – people can react very differently to this substance. Also, because there is such variation between onset times, a tiny increase in dose can cause a big increase in effects, especially if you’re not sure if you have 1,4-BD, GBL or GHB. A drug checking service can help minimise the risk.

Treat every bottle of 1,4-BD with caution and don’t assume it’s the same strength, even if it all came together. Due to the chemical differences between 1,4-BD, GBL and GHB, it’s also safest to not mix different bottles in case they’re not the same thing.

Avoid mixing with alcohol, and other depressants like ketamine. This can lead to nausea, breathing problems, even death. If vomiting or convulsions occur, immediately call 111 and tell emergency staff what the person has taken. You won’t get in trouble.

This substance affects your memory, so always record the time you’ve taken the dose and keep in a visible place.

Store it safely, especially out of the reach of children. If you can, use food colouring to identify it so it doesn’t accidentally get mixed in with other drinks or water. This can reduce the possibility of accidental use or overdose.

Avoid frequent use – if you are experiencing withdrawal symptoms, please seek medical advice before stopping.

As with all drug use, it’s safest to have people around that you trust and who have knowledge of first aid. Don’t take it alone or with strangers.

Remember, always call an ambulance if someone:

is unconscious;
stops breathing;
has a seizure;
is extremely agitated for longer than 15 minutes;
has chest pain or breathing difficulties for longer than 5 minutes.