Anti-anxiety Drug Phenibut: Is It Safe to Use?
Phenibut Overview
Phenibut supplement originated in Russia, where it is used to relieve a range of conditions that include insomnia, depression, attention deficit disorders, vestibular disorders, anxiety, tics and stuttering.
What makes it different from other medications is that it is also sold as a nootropic drug: this implies that it is useful in improving concentration, attention and motivation. Although Phenibut (1078-21-3) is not officially recognized or licensed by the FDA as prescription medication for the conditions above, it is sold as a nutritional supplement.
There are more than 300 published studies on the efficacy of Phenibut. This is surprisingly little information when you consider that the drug has been around and in use for almost 60 years. What’s more, there are issues with these studies since most of them are published in Russian or German and are mainly based on tests carried out on mice, cats or rats. Although our four-legged friends are great test subjects for most drugs, they provide little useful information on what is touted as the ultimate pro-social drug or the possible effects of Phenibut (1078-21-3) addiction on humans. So, Is Phenibut safe?
To be fair, you could say that the lack of information from western scientists is largely down to the fact that the USA and many western European countries have not licensed Phenibut as a medication. At this point, you may be thinking: What are the effects of Phenibut? For this reason, we will examine the available research to see if any of it supports anecdotal evidence that Phenibut powder (1078-21-3) is a wonder drug so you can decide if it is going to be beneficial to you, and we let you know the best Phenibut supplier online.
Phenibut History, Phenibut Background
Phenibut is a drug that has a bit of a checkered past. It was first synthesized in the USSR in the 1960s during trial experiments carried out on psychiatric patients.
It was developed at tested at the Herzen Pedagogical Institute’s Department of Organic Chemistry in Saint Petersburg, Russia by Vsevolod Vasilievich Perekalin and his team of researchers. Initially, the drug was used as a potent anti-anxiety treatment that was targeted primarily at younger patients.
Perelakin and his team in Saint Petersburg decided to add a phenyl ring to butyric acid and the result was the wonder drug now known as Phenibut. By adding the phenyl ring to butyric acid, the compound was then able to enter the brain by crossing the blood-brain barrier.
Following further testing in Russia, Phenibut was institutionalized by the scientific community in the Soviet Union. It then became a fixture of Russian cosmonauts’ medical kits as a stress treatment for those who took part in the Soyuz space missions. The cosmonauts reported that Phenibut had tranquilizing properties and improved their powers of cognition.
Today, Phenibut is still widely used in Russia to improve the psychological state of its users and help them ease their anxieties. Many doctors also give the drug to their patients before and after they undergo major surgery. However, it is not yet widely known in the United States.
How Does Phenibut Work
Phenibut works because it is able to easily cross the blood-brain barrier to bind to Gamma aminobutyric acid (GABA) receptors in your brain. Phenibut therefore acts as a modified version of the GABA neurotransmitter as its chemical structure is virtually identical with the exception of the added phenyl ring sub group. So, what are the effects of Phenibut?
When Phenibut comes into contact with the central nervous system, it helps to lower the levels of over-excitement of the brain. In particular, this supplement can decrease the sensitivity of some of your neurons to neurochemical signals that are sent between different areas of the brain.
By ensuring that only the most essential signals get through and by blocking any extraneous messages, Phenibut can help you avoid over-stimulation and the accompanying feelings of anxiety.
However, Phenibut (1078-21-3) does much more than just bind to GABA receptors – it is also able to bind partially to Dopamine receptors.
Dopamine, which is a much more powerful neurotransmitter within your brain, is responsible for the control of certain functions such as movement, mood and regulation of your pleasure / pain cycle. This neurotransmitter is intimately connected to your sense of pleasure and affects the reward system in your brain.
Since Phenibut increases the levels of dopamine that your brain releases, it can lead to higher motivation and improved mood.
What Are The Effects Of Phenibut? Phenibut Benefits
Traditionally, Phenibut has been used as a treatment for anxiety. However, both western and soviet studies show that there are many more Phenibut benefits to users:
Neuroprotection: Phenibut helps to protect the neurons in your brain during stressful situations. It also offers protection to your brain from oxygen deprivation if you are engaged in strenuous physical activity. During such situations, Phenibut enhances blood flow and normalizes your brain neurons.
Cardioprotection: When Phenibut and alcoholare used together in moderation, it protects the muscles of your heart from buildup of toxins in your blood. It also reduces the dangers of chronic stress and abnormal heart rhythms from alcohol abuse.
Libido and sexual function: By offering stimulation to the pleasure receptors in your brain, Phenibut gives an enhanced and more pleasurable sexual experience. As a result, you get to enjoy more intense orgasms and better sex.
Sleep disorders: Phenibut helps you to restore your natural sleep patterns and beat insomnia. It does this by stimulating your GABA receptors, reducing neuronal activity and making you calm.
Communication within the brain: Using Phenibut is said to boost inter-hemispheric transmission, leading to better information processing, focus, recall and improved problem-solving abilities.
Learning and memory: There is some evidence to show that Phenibut improves learning capacity, creative thinking and memory. While this is not conclusively proven by research, it is believed that these effects coma about because of the simultaneous stimulation of GABA and Dopamine receptors.
Anxiety: This is perhaps the single most important benefit that has made Phenibut so popular. The drug is able to reduce stress and social anxiety, thus boosting your confidence.
Creativity: Improved brain communication leads to greater creativity. When your neuronal activity is reduced, your creative ideas can flow more freely thanks to a Phenibut buzzand you have less fear of judgment. This makes Phenibut a great choice if you are a perfectionist who just cannot tune out the critic in you.
Phenibut Form, Dosage
There are different forms of Phenibut available, but if you are looking to benefit from its nootropic effects and enjoy a Phenibut buzz, the two most popular by far are Phenibut HCL and Phenibut FAA. Since Phenibut is not approved by the FDA in the US, although it is technically legal, no clinically-approved Phenibut dosage guide exists. Additionally, different people require different amounts of the drug to gain the nootropic effects. However, research offers the following recommended dosages for the two main forms of Phenibut.
- Form: Phenibut HCL
Of the two main forms of Phenibut available for you to buy, Phenibut HCL is more popular. This is Phenibut in hydrochloride salt form, and is generated when the drug is taken in its free amino acid form and reacted with hydrochloric acid.
From the time it first appeared on the market during the late 1960s and into the early 1970s, the Phenibut HCL form has been the most popular and bestselling version of the drug due to the convenience of use and cost-effectiveness for the average nootropic consumer.
Phenibut HCL is considered a zwitterionic salt, implying that it composed of “dipolar ions.” This means that Phenibut HCL has both positive and negative ionic charges which are responsible for its unique properties. Most other forms of Phenibut do not have this dipolar ion composition.
- Dosage:
Phenibut HCL is sold as a salth that is in a stable and easy-to-dissolve state, which can be ingested by mixing the crystals in a glass of water. A light dose of Phenibut HCL is 250 – 750 mg. A medium dose, which is what most users prefer is between 750 and 1500mg. A high dose of Phenibut HCL salt is usually between 1500 and 2000 mg.
- Form: Phenibut FAA
The second most popular form of Phenibut is the Free Amino Acid composition (Phenibut FAA). This form has made an appearance on the market in recent years, rivaling the HCL form of Phenibut because of its popularity with users who want sublingual (under the tongue) application. This form is commonly sold in the form of Phenibut capsules.
While the sublingual application property may appeal to some users due to its convenience, this method is generally not recommended, particularly for Phenibut FAA capsules. The free Amino Acid form of Phenibut is not readily soluble and is therefore likely to break apart or not dissolve fully.
- Dosage:
The most common Phenibut FAA dosage for most users is between 500 and 1250 mg.
If you want to know which form of Phenibut is more convenient between HCL and FAA, you should decide if you want to consume it as Phenibut capsules, Phenibut powder dissolved in water or sublingually.
How Dangerours Is Phenibut, Is It Safe to Use?
For the most part, the negative effects of Phenibut are minimal, but they exist. The side effects of this drug vary and will largely depend on the size of your dose. Also, it is important to understand that due to differences in physiology from one person to the next, there is no way to know for certain how you will react to Phenibut use.
Since Phenibut is unregulated in the United States, it has not yet undergone intensive testing to determine exact Phenibut dosage amounts and potential reactions in people. What’s more, the lack of a standard dosage guide means that there is also the potential for certain people to consume dangerous amounts of Phenibut.
When taken in moderate amounts, Phenibut and alcohol can work well together. Alcohol stimulates your brain’s GABA-a receptors, while Phenibut works by stimulating your GABA-b receptors. This combination works fine unless you consume a lot of alcohol and a Phenibut overdose whereby there is overstimulation of your a and b receptors.
With a Phenibut overdose, you experience none of the benefits of Phenibut and instead experience a lack of coordination, depression, lethargy and extreme drowsiness. For this reason, it is recommended that you use both together in moderate doses.
Another effect of Phenibut is that, in certain individuals, respiratory depression may occur. Although respiratory depression is not a common or profound effect of using Phenibut, it is likely to occur when you use it alongside other depressants. While pain relief could occur, excessive Phenibut use also comes with dehydration, high blood pressure and stomach cramps for some people.
The cognitive effects that make Phenibut such a popular nootropic can also be one of its downsides. By removing inhibitions, you could find yourself walking into dangerous situations without regard for the consequences.
Phenibut Side Effects
Phenibut is popular for its calming and pain relief effects, but the question still remains: Is Phenibut safe? Misuse can lead to side effects, including:
- Nausea
- Anxiety, irritation and agitation
- Lack of balance
- Loss of coordination
- Sleepiness
- Headache and dizziness
- Tolerance and the risk of Phenibut addiction
- Hangover-like symptoms
- Lack of concentration
If you use Phenibut for a long time and suddenly stop, there could be withdrawal symptoms, such as:
- Muscle relaxation
- Depression
- Low body temperature
- Headache
- Dizziness
- Unconsciousness
- Nausea
- Poor balance
- A feeling similar to electric shock in your limbs
- Fatigue
- Respiratory problems
Is Phenibut Legal?
In the US, Phenibut is often marketed as a dietary supplement that helps to reduce anxiety. While it is not readily available in drugstores in the United States, it is fairly easy to buy Phenibut online. There are also companies that sell drugs which include Phenibut as one of the ingredients.
A major reason why Phenibut is not widely available to buy over-the-counter is that FDA does not consider it a dietary ingredient according to the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act.
Is phenibut legal? Our takeaway is that Phenibut exists in a grey area where it is not FDA approved, but is also not illegal to purchase and use.
Buy Phenibut
There are some independent retailers and headshops that sell Phenibut. However in most cases where it is sold locally, it is of low quality.
Buying Phenibut online is far better, since you have the benefit of reading nootropics Phenibut reviews and you can search online to confirm the reputation and reliability of the company selling it. With that being said, wisepowder.com is the best phenibut supplier and one of the most reputable and trusted online sellers of high quality Phenibut powder.
Conclusion
For decades, millions of people have trusted Phenibut, a potent nootropic drug that helps to reduce anxiety and stress, while boosting cognitive performance. According to nootropics Phenibut reviews Reddit, when it is used in moderation and with the right mindset, you will not experience any of the negative effects or withdrawal symptoms that come with overuse. By following the guidelines set out above, you will get to enjoy a life free of anxiety and stress, as well as plenty of restorative, restful sleep.
Article by:
Dr. Liang
Co-founder, the company’s core administration leadership; PhD received from Fudan University in organic chemistry. More than nine years of experience in organic synthesis field of medicinal chemistry. Rich experience in combinatorial chemistry, medicinal chemistry and custom synthesis and project management.
References
- Owen DR, Wood DM, Archer JR, Dargan PI (2016). “Phenibut (4-amino-3-phenyl-butyric acid): Availability, prevalence of use, desired effects and acute toxicity”. Drug Alcohol Rev. 35 (5): 591–6.
- Lapin, Izyaslav (7 June 2006). “Phenibut (β-Phenyl-GABA): A Tranquilizer and Nootropic Drug”. CNS Drug Reviews. 7 (4): 471–481.
- Khaunina, R. A.; Lapin, I. P. (1976). “Fenibut, a new tranquilizer”. Pharmaceutical Chemistry Journal. 10 (12): 1703–1705.
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