# GUSH, esGUSH, and vlGUSH ## Pure GUSH The pure `GUSH` token is not encumbered in any way. It is totally liquid and can be moved freely or vote-locked to participate in governance and to accrue any corresponding rewards. When escrowed and unvested it is `esGUSH` (es stands for "escrowed"). When vote-locked, `GUSH` become `vlGUSH` (vl stands for "vote-locked"). ## Escrowed GUSH (`esGUSH`) `esGUSH` stands for "escrowed GUSH." `esGUSH` maintains similarities to `GUSH`, but has a vesting period associated with it. `esGUSH` is illiquid and non-transferrable, but it has two important functions: * it can either be vote-locked to participate in governance * OR it can be vested for the equivalent amount of `GUSH` tokens * *It cannot do both at the same time* The vesting period for `esGUSH` is 6 months and once vesting has begun, it cannot be undone. ## Vote Locked GUSH (`vlGUSH`) To align incentives of the gUSHer protocol to long-term focused community members and participants, the protocol incorporates a vote-locking mechanism similar to those found in other protocols like Convex and Aura. `vlGUSH` is simply vote-locked `GUSH` (or `esGUSH`). `vlGUSH` represents governance voting power and is issued 1:1 for the amount of `GUSH` (or `esGUSH`) that is locked. However, `vlGUSH` is illiquid and non-transferrable. Users must vote-lock their `GUSH` as `vlGUSH` to be eligible to participate in governance and to accrue any corresponding rewards. Vote-locking your `GUSH` "locks" it for 16 weeks. At the end of that period, it may be unlocked and converted back to `GUSH` or it may be re-locked as `vlGUSH` for another 16 weeks. --- # Agent Instructions: Querying This Documentation If you need additional information that is not directly available in this page, you can query the documentation dynamically by asking a question. Perform an HTTP GET request on the current page URL with the `ask` query parameter: ``` GET https://gusher.gitbook.io/gusherdao/tokens/gush/gush-esgush-and-vlgush.md?ask= ``` The question should be specific, self-contained, and written in natural language. The response will contain a direct answer to the question and relevant excerpts and sources from the documentation. Use this mechanism when the answer is not explicitly present in the current page, you need clarification or additional context, or you want to retrieve related documentation sections.