Phenibut has been around for a long time, but it has only gained traction in the last few years. The drug was developed in Soviet Russia back in the 1960s as an anxiolytic, i.e., for treating anxiety. It was also known to be effective for treating depression, insomnia, post-traumatic stress disorder, and other similar issues.
Phenibut is a prescription drug in Russia. It used to be prescribed to soviet cosmonauts who were struggling with anxiety and insomnia. It is not used for medicinal uses in most countries outside Russia, though. The FDA has never approved it in the United States, and neither is it licensed in the European Union and many other countries across the world. However, it’s still accessible, with many online stores selling it as a nootropic. There have been cases of teenagers using the drug for recreational purposes to induce euphoria and reduce social anxiety.
It has also been linked to cases of abuse and addiction.
Table of Contents
What is Phenibut?
Phenibut is an analog or synthetic form of gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA). GABA is an inhibitory neurotransmitter found in the brain. It is known to induce a feeling of relaxation. It helps in dealing with nervousness and anxiety and is also believed to control overactive neural processes that result in overthinking. Since Phenibut has a similar structure as GABA, it produces the same effects when ingested.
Phenibut is usually administered orally, although you can also get intravenous injections. It is sold under different names, including Adrafinil, Fenibut, Noofen, and Anvifen.
It’s important to point out that Phenibut has not been approved by the FDA, which means it is unregulated in the US. This also means that most of the purported benefits of consuming Phenibut do not have lots of clinical trials backing them. Therefore, it’s very important that if you decide to try out the drug, you do so very carefully.
Uses
In Russia, Phenibut is used to treat alcoholism, depression, PTSD, Sleep disorders, stress, fatigue, and fear.
In the US, Phenibut is mostly sold and used as a nootropic. Nootropics are “smart drugs” used for enhancing cognitive functions. Some studies have shown that it can cross the blood-brain barrier, something that GABA cannot do. Trials have also shown that it can stimulate dopamine receptors and aids with the formation of memory, boosting attention, focus, and improving overall cognitive functions.
Some people also use it for recreational purposes. It can help with social anxiety and can also be used to induce euphoria.
How to Dose ?
There is no one-fits-all dosage for the product. The exact amount of Phenibut that you should use will depend on several factors, like your health status and age. It’s important that you consult a licensed physician before taking it.
Is Phenibut Safe?
Phenibut has been linked to several side effects:
- Sedation
- Anxiety
- Headaches
- Somnolence
- Agitation
- Allergic reactions
- Dizziness
- Impaired motor coordination
- Loss of balance
- Addiction
- Fatty liver disease
The risks of side effects are even higher when you abuse the drug.
It can interact with other drugs and cause some side effects. You should avoid mixing the product with alcohol, opioids, benzodiazepines, antipsychotics, sedatives, and anticonvulsant medications.
Addiction
Studies show that Phenibut can become addictive. When used in high doses or for prolonged durations, Phenibut causes your body to develop tolerance. This means you will no longer get to feel the same effects at the same dose. As a result, most people end up increasing the dosage, which also increases the risk of addiction. Phenibut also changes brain signaling because it acts as and replaces natural GABA.
In the end, continued abuse of Phenibut can lead to physical dependence on the drug. Any attempts to stop using it abruptly result in withdrawal symptoms, which can be quite severe. Sometimes so severe that one may require hospitalization.
Phenibut withdrawal symptoms are known to last for up to 2 weeks. The severity and duration of withdrawal usually vary depending on how long you’ve been using the drug and the dosage. Your system and history of addiction can also affect the withdrawal.
Withdrawal symptoms can start a few hours or days after your last dose. Some of the symptoms are:
- Aggression
- Cognitive deficits
- Depression
- Decreased pain threshold
- Hallucinations
- Muscle tension
- Paranoia
- Delusions
- Reduced appetite
- Tremor
- Hyperactivity
If you notice these symptoms in you or a loved one, you can contact a medical practitioner for treatment. Addiction can be treated through cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), medication-assisted treatment (MAT), or tapering. The method of treatment will depend on the level of addiction.
Where to buy Phenibut?
Itis available to buy online as a dietary supplement. You can find it in many online supplement stores, but you must get it in its highest quality, so your choice of vendor is important.
That said, the best place to buy it is at Science Bio. This is a reputable store that specializes in different research chemicals. They are the best because they have a strict quality control policy, ensuring all their buyers are getting potent and safe drugs. They are also a very transparent company that submits their products for third-party lab analysis and publish the lab reports on their website for everyone to see.
A 50g tin of Phenibut HCL powder is retailing at $19.99. The item is covered with a 30-day money-back guarantee.
How Fast Does Phenibut Kick in?
Phenibut effects usually kick in within 60 to 90 minutes. It all comes down to your unique physiology, but you should be able to feel its effects within 2 hours of ingestion.
Once it has kicked in, you will continue to feel the effects for 5 to 10 hours. This usually depends on the doses used and how fast your body is processing the drug.
Final Thoughts
Phenibut is widely available as a dietary supplement, but there aren’t a lot of studies supporting its claimed benefits. The fact that it can be addictive and cause severe withdrawal symptoms also makes it a very serious drug that should never be abused. Therefore, even though some anecdotal evidence shows that it can help with anxiety, relaxation, and deliver other benefits, it must be used carefully to avoid adverse reactions.
