Nocturnal intravenous gamma-hydroxybutyrate and sleep architecture in non-sedated intensive care unit patients: a polysomnographic experience - Takeaways - MDSpire
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Effects of Overnight Intravenous Gamma-Hydroxybutyrate on Sleep Architecture in Uns sedated ICU Patients: A Polysomnographic Study

  • By

  • Florian Blanchard

  • Isabelle Arnulf

  • Noémie Clavieras

  • Fanny Charbonnier-Beaupel

  • Rayan Braik

  • Arthur James

  • Jean-Michel Constantin

  • October 30, 2026

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  • 1

    In this small, uncontrolled study, 8 of 13 awake, nonventilated ICU patients received overnight intravenous gamma-hydroxybutyrate (GHB).

  • 2

    GHB recipients had higher median sleep efficiency than untreated patients (82% vs 57%) and more N3 sleep (58% vs 8% of total sleep time).

  • 3

    Nurses judged all 8 GHB recipients to have slept, and their median sleep-quality score was 6 versus 4 among untreated patients.

  • 4

    GHB recipients had less REM sleep (5% vs 13%); REM sleep was absent in 2 patients, and 3 experienced recurrent arousals from slow-wave sleep.

  • 5

    Morning natraemia was higher after GHB, and one patient became agitated; the authors called for controlled trials before routine use.

Original Source(s)

Nocturnal intravenous gamma-hydroxybutyrate and sleep architecture in non-sedated intensive care unit patients: a polysomnographic experience

  • by Florian Blanchard, Isabelle Arnulf, Noémie Clavieras, Fanny Charbonnier-Beaupel, Rayan Braik, Arthur James, Jean-Michel Constantin

  • October 30, 2026

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