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Phenibut is a relaxation-inducing nootropic that has an effect often compared to small amounts of alcohol.
The comparison is quite appropriate: Phenibut supplements stimulate the same type of receptors in the brain as alcohol.
Scientific studies done in Russia found that Phenibut is a powerful naturally derived anxiolytic. It has been seen that Phenibut may improve sleeping patterns and augment cognitive performance. But this nootropic can lead to negative side effects if it is abused or combined with inappropriate substances.
The use of Phenibut together with alcohol is known to be particularly problematic, leading to some potentially dangerous results. What are the reasons behind abstaining from alcohol when taking Phenibut?
Anxiety
Mood
Sleep & Insomnia- Powerful anxiolytic for stress reduction
- Stimulates GABA receptors & supports sleep
- Neuroprotective & supports cognitive function
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Phenibut is a nootropic of Russian origin, derived from the GABA neurotransmitter.
GABA plays an important role in regulating neuronal excitability throughout the nervous system.
When GABA is released into the brain you can feel calm and relaxed. In situations of persistent anxiety and stress, some users would like to enhance and prolong these effects through supplementation.
GABA itself cannot cross the protective membrane that separates the bloodstream from the brain tissue (blood-brain barrier). So using GABA as a supplement would be virtually useless for raising GABA levels in the brain.
Phenibut is chemically similar to GABA, but has an additional phenyl group added. Phenibut can mimic the effects of GABA in the brain, and it can effectively cross the blood-brain barrier because of its chemical structure.
When Phenibut crosses the barrier, and reaches the brain, it activates the GABA receptors on synapses between neurons, where it stimulates two types of receptors for this neurotransmitter (GABA-A and GABA-B).
Alcohol is also known to bind to GABA receptors, resulting in the same inhibitory influence and characteristic sensation of relaxation. Anecdotal reports often mention that the effects of Phenibut are more pleasant than those of alcohol though.
- Powerful anxiolytic for stress reduction
- Improves sleep and may reduce insomnia
- Neuroprotective and cardioprotective effects
Why Use Phenibut?
The user-described benefits of this supplement cover a few major categories: anxiolytic, cognitive, neuroprotective, ataratic, and cardioprotective. Taking Phenibut may alleviate stress and anxiety that comes with overactive neural processing. It is sometimes used as a sleep aid or taken for recreational purposes to unwind at the end of a long day.
Phenibut mimics the effects of the body’s naturally produced GABA and regulates communication between neurons. It is thought that the inability to turn off these processes causes anxiety. Phenibut is a great tool for those who constantly over think things or find themselves overcome with negative thoughts.
Users of Phenibut consistently report feeling more composed, and even serene. Those who are used to experiencing worry cycles also report that those feelings are now gone.
Besides being used for anxiety, Phenibut has also been used to increase cognitive ability and improve mental performance. Throughout some clinical trials it was observed that Phenibut led to improved brain function, especially by enhancing communication between the two hemispheres of the brain.
Taking a dose of Phenibut before sleep may also help users achieve better and deeper sleep. If you find yourself tossing and turning throughout the night, this supplement may be helpful. It may also make it easier to turn your mind off and fall asleep.
Some clinical research also shows that Phenibut is able to prevent some neuronal cell damage that comes with elevated levels of stress hormones. This drug also has been seen to have cardioprotective benefits that may lessen the pressure of the ventricles of the heart.
- Most effective supplements to improve mood
- Optimize levels of dopamine, serotonin and GABA
- Protect against stress and anxiety
Can I combine Phenibut with alcohol?
Given the similarities in the effects of alcohol and Phenibut, some users have investigated the possibility of combining the two for added benefit.
There have been anecdotal reports that taking Phenibut means you need much less alcohol to feel “buzzed.” However, this is considered an exceptionally dangerous practice with very high risk of negative side effects.
If you are planning to use Phenibut, it is strongly advised against combining it with alcohol.
Alcohol also stimulates GABA receptors to lessen anxiety and reduce stress. It’s also ‘sedative-like’ and aids the body in relaxing muscles and lowering inhibition. But too much GABA stimulation can result in serious consequences for your health and safety.
When using this supplement it is best to stay away from any recreational drugs, and alcohol. Alcohol acts on the GABA-A receptors directly, and also mildly on the GABA-B, producing similar effects as Phenibut. This means that combining the two together will also enhance the effects of alcohol.
Over-stimulation of GABA receptors may lead to temporary impairment of mental and physical faculties, excessive fatigue, and even periods of unconsciousness. For this reason, it is important not to mix alcohol with Phenibut.
Combining Phenibut and alcohol may prove to be quite dangerous. Users that have unknowingly drank alcohol while using Phenibut have reported that 1 drink feels like 3, and 3 drinks feel like 8. As you can see this could be very dangerous, especially if you have a higher alcohol tolerance and an empty stomach.
Alcohol and Phenibut withdrawal
Although it is strongly advised against mixing alcohol with Phenibut, users have reported alcohol to be helpful when stopping the Phenibut cycle. If used on a continuous basis, your body can form a tolerance to Phenibut, resulting in withdrawal symptoms when you stop.
For this reason, it is recommended that Phenibut should only be taken on an infrequent basis and not used as an everyday supplement. Most users will take Phenibut for at most two weeks before having a break period to prevent tolerance and withdrawal.
After completely stopping any ingestion of Phenibut, some people drink small amount of alcohol in the following days to help mimic the effects, and reduce their ‘dependency’ on Phenibut. This is not a recommended way of halting Phenibut usage though, so if you do decide that this is something you want to do, do so at your own risk.
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- Grinberga S, Zvejniece L, Liepinsh E, Dambrova M, Pugovics O. Quantitative analysis of phenibut in rat brain tissue extracts by liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry. Biomed Chromatogr. 2008
- Komissarov IV, Abramets II. [Ionic mechanisms of the effects of phenibut and GABA unrelated to changes in the function of chloride channels]. Neirofiziologiia. 1985
- Borodkina LE, Molodavkin GM, Tiurenkov IN. [Effect of phenibut on interhemispheric transmission in the rat brain]. Eksp Klin Farmakol. 2009
- Tarakanov I, Tikhomirova L, Tarasova N, Safonov V, Bialkowska M, Pokorski M. GABA representation in hypoxia sensing: a ventilatory study in the rat. J Biol Regul Homeost Agents. 2011
- Lapin IP. [GABA-ergic system in defense against excitatory kynurenines]. Vopr Med Khim. 1997
Article last updated on: March 13th, 2018 by Nootriment
1 Comment
Thank you so much for the information.