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Are you curious about the benefits of Phenibut as a cognitive and mood enhancer?
Beta-phenyl-gamma-aminobutyric acid HCl, more commonly known as Phenibut, is a GABAergic nootropic that promotes relaxation and better mood.
People use Phenibut for anxiety, depression, post-traumatic stress disorder, and sleeping disorders. There are also several cognitive benefits of Phenibut on learning and memory above and beyond those associated with reduced stress and anxiety levels.
What are the effects of this supplements and what specific Phenibut benefits have other people experienced when using this nootropic?
Anxiety
Mood
Sleep & Insomnia- Powerful anxiolytic for stress reduction
- Stimulates GABA receptors & supports sleep
- Neuroprotective & supports cognitive function
Phenibut Effects
Related Topics
- What is Phenibut?
- User Review
- Benefits and Uses
- Dosage Recommendations
- Effects & Mechanisms of Action
- Experience Reports
- Anti-Anxiety Effects
- Using Phenibut for Sleep
- How to Take
- Negative Side Effects
- Withdrawal Dangers
- Risks with Alcohol Combination
- Comparison to Picamilon
- Buying Phenibut Guide
- Using Bulk Powder
- Primaforce Phenibut Review
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Phenibut is a derivative of GABA that is capable of crossing the blood-brain barrier and stimulating receptors for this neurotransmitter. Typically GABA cannot cross the blood-brain barrier, but the addition of a phenyl group allows Phenibut to cross this protective membrane.
Phenibut was originally developed in the 1960’s by Russian scientists looking for a solution to high levels of anxiety in astronauts on long space missions. Following successful applications then, it is now prescribed in Russia to treat many common stress and anxiety disorders.
Some experts consider Phenibut a better alternative to drugs like Valium because it also has cognitive enhancement properties such as improving memory capacity.
Phenibut’s range of effects can be described as GABAergic because this nootropic compound is a GABA agonist. This means it stimulates receptors on your neurons that typically respond to the GABA neurotransmitter.
GABA is considered to be an inhibitory neurotransmitter because it represses over-activity in your brain and prevents some reaction to external stimuli.
When GABA receptors are activated on your synapses, negatively charged chloride ions flow into the neuron through the membrane and hyperpolarize the cell. This makes it less likely that the neuron will “fire” and react to other chemical messages from connected neurons.
The result is a sedative or hypnotic effect. This is very important function in your neurons to prevent anxiety which is technically defined as a neurological overreaction to some external stimuli. As such, an anxiolytic effect is produced whereby environmental stress and other sources of worry are less likely to provoke you.
- Powerful anxiolytic for stress reduction
- Improves sleep and may reduce insomnia
- Neuroprotective and cardioprotective effects
Phenibut’s mechanism of action is often compared to baclofen, ethanol (alcohol), benzodiazepines, and barbiturates. These substances are all known to work by stimulating GABA receptors, but in most cases, Phenibut produces fewer side effects.
One question that often comes up is whether you can take GABA supplements to reduce anxiety. GABA is frequently sold as a supplement in many of the most popular health stores and you might be wondering how a GABA derivative could be better for reducing anxiety than this natural chemical itself.
In fact, when ingested orally GABA has no anti-anxiety effects because it cannot cross the blood-brain barrier to reach your neurons. This is what makes Phenibut so effective because when ingested orally it has very good penetration of this barrier. As such, Phenibut supplements are more effective than GABA supplements at stimulating GABA receptors.
Benefits of Phenibut
The benefits of Phenibut may be quite extensive for anyone suffering from anxious thoughts or anyone who simply wants to be able to relax more. Below are some of the Phenibut benefits reported in various user reviews and testimonials:
- Relieves anxiety and stress
- Promote calm and relaxation
- Reduces social anxiety and improves communication skills
- Increases memory function
- Can prevent “test anxiety” to help you perform better academically
- Regulates proper sleep patterns
- Reduces insomnia and restless leg syndrome
- Increases REM sleep
- May lead to increased secretion of growth hormones
- Improves reaction time in social environments
Scientific studies on Phenibut are limited, especially any modern studies done outside of Russia. More research still needs to be done to understand the full benefits of Phenibut. At this time the FDA has not approved Phenibut as a drug to prevent or treat any conditions.
- Most effective supplements to improve mood
- Optimize levels of dopamine, serotonin and GABA
- Protect against stress and anxiety
Is Phenibut Safe?
When used as directed by healthy individuals, Phenibut is considered possibly safe and has low reported occurrence of side effects. In some cases, mild side effects have been reported such as increased sweating, drowsiness, reduced appetite, and restlessness.
Never mix Phenibut with alcohol or other sedatives, as this can lead to a condition known as respiratory depression.
You should consult with your doctor before using Phenibut if you are taking other medications such as MAO inhibitors and certain drugs prescribed to epileptics. Pregnant and nursing women are also advised not to use this substance.
The recommended dosage is 250 mg taken between 2-4 times a day. Depending on your weight, you may need more than this amount.
It is recommended that you cycle Phenibut in your nootropic stack and do not use it every day. This is done to prevent the build-up of a tolerance to the effects of the supplement. As well, cycling usage may prevent withdrawal symptoms which can occur if large doses are used on a continuous basis.
Buy Phenibut
Phenibut is legal as a dietary supplement in many countries and you do not need a prescription to buy it in the United States. You can either purchase Phenibut pills for around $0.30 a 250 mg capsule or you can buy Phenibut powder for $0.13 per 250 mg.
Bulk Phenibut powder is definitely a cheaper option, but you will have to measure and mix it in water in order to take it. Another possibility is to purchase your own pill capsules and cap the product yourself which can be a very cost-effective way to experience the benefits of Phenibut products.
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- Zyablitseva EA, Pavlova IV. Effects of the GABA receptor agonist phenibut on behavior and respiration in rabbits in emotionally negative situations. Neurosci Behav Physiol. 2008
- Ostrovskaia RU, Trofimov SS. [Nootropic properties of gamma-aminobutyric acid derivatives]. Biull Eksp Biol Med. 1984
- Gusel' VA, Smirnov DP. [Peripheral mechanism of the phenomenon of fenibut habituation]. Farmakol Toksikol. 1980
- 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
- Novikov VE, Chemodurova LN. [The effect of GABA-ergic agents on the blood electrolyte balance in acute craniocerebral trauma]. Eksp Klin Farmakol. 1992
- Tiurenkov IN, Sazhin VA. [Effect of gamma-aminobutyric acid analogs on the brain GABA-ergic system participating in cardiovascular regulation]. Farmakol Toksikol. 1986
- [No authors listed] [Gravidaprotective action of phenibut in experimental pre-eclampsia]. Eksp Klin Farmakol. 2014
Article last updated on: March 13th, 2018 by Nootriment
2 Comments
I’ve been doing a lot of research on Phenibut and many of the articles talk about pain killing properties. I have a cubital tunnel surgery coming up in a month and was wondering if what I’m reading is true?
I’ve spoken to my doctor and surgeon both have said that they have no problem with me taking it but don’t know if it will work. Also is it safe to take with Gabapentin, Oxycodone or Norco? Neither my hand surgeon or doctor could say since theres not enough research out there to say it’s ok or not. I’m going with not to be on the safe side; I just wanted to see if you had any idea’s since I can’t find information online.
Thanks in advance
Andrew
Hi Andrew,
Some users describe a “pain numbing” effect from Phenibut, but there are other anecdotal reports that suggest it can make muscle pain worse (https://www.reddit.com/r/Nootropics/comments/3hmw7w/psa_be_careful_with_taking_phenibut_if_you_have/)
Like your doctors said, there hasn’t been enough research into Phenibut to have a comprehensive list of interactions. There’s definitely potential for interaction with Gabapentin and it could result in feelings of drowsiness or excessive sedation if its combined with this drug.
I hope that helps!