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Can taking phenibut at high dosages produce euphoria and a drug-like experience? Is this Russian nootropic a legal high?
Administration of high Phenibut dosages for recreational purposes is reported by users in nootropic forums like Reddit and Longecity. Online sources describe taking it with the intention of promoting a “buzzed” or “intoxicated” feeling.
Doing so is inherently dangerous and poses a considerable risk of harmful side effects, including overdose, hospitalization, unconsciousness, mania, memory impairment, dystonia, seizures, and more.
There have been dozens of serious adverse effects documented in case studies from people using high dosages of this substance. It should not be used recreationally.
Phenibut has been used to treat anxiety, post-traumatic stress disorder, motion sickness, dizziness and other conditions in Russia, Latvia, Georgie and the Ukraine. It has been prescribed to both children and adults with a typical dosage of 250 mg per administration.
While Phenibut is a legal (uncontrolled) substance in the United States, it has not been approved for medical use. It is typically taken off-label for mood enhancement, as a sleep aid and anxiolytic.
Because Phenibut affects similar receptors in the brain as alcohol, high dosages can impair cognition, motor control and neurological function and lead to dangerous negative effects.
Anxiety
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Sleep & Insomnia- Powerful anxiolytic for stress reduction
- Stimulates GABA receptors & supports sleep
- Neuroprotective & supports cognitive function
Why You Should NOT Use Phenibut to Get High
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
- SNS Phenibut XT Review
There appears to be considerable interest in the use of Phenibut to promote a “high” sensation online.
Search Google for the keywords “Phenibut high” and you will find countless experience logs posted by reviewers on online forums like Drugs-forum.com, Reddit, Bluelight.org, Longecity and Erowid.
In these user reviews, you will find a huge variability in responses to high dosages of this nootropic drug.
While some describe a sense of euphoria, sedation, and disinhibition, others describe depression, lethargy, anxiety, hallucinations, confusion and a number of additional unpleasant side effects linked to recreational use.
Can you get high off of Phenibut? Like other GABAergic drugs, this nootropic agent can cause an anxiolytic effect which may be described as a “mental high”. But these effects will only occur if the drug is abused at dosages several times greater than the standard amount used for therapeutic purposes.
Taking dosages required to produce dissociation with reality or euphoria can result in toxic side effects and may be potentially lethal if using this substance in combination with other Central Nervous System depressants including alcohol, other Gabapentinoids and benzodiazepines.
Phenibut Overview
Phenibut (beta-phenyl-gamma-aminobutyric acid HCl) is a nootropic agent that is similar in structure to the inhibitory neurotransmitter, gamma amino butyric acid (GABA).
GABA is chemical messenger in the brain whose primary function is to slow down or antagonize activation of neural circuits. It is involved in the regulation of normal brain signaling and helps to ensure that only the most important messages between neurons gets passed on.
The effect of GABA and GABA-like drugs is decreased neuronal activity. These GABA agonists reduce neuron receptor “overexcitation” which can trigger anxiety, stress responses, and similar reactions in the body.
Phenibut was derived from GABA and can mimic some of the effects of this neurotransmitter in the brain. It acts as a GABA mimetic on the subclass of metabotropic transmembrane GABA-B receptors, which are also involved in mediating the effects of alcohol.
Phenibut is a Russian developed nootropic used quite extensively for clinical therapy in Eastern Europe. It is sold under numerous brand names such as Noofen, Fenibut, and Anvifen.
This drug has not been approved for medical use in the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom or Australia.
One of its primary uses in Russia is as an anxiolytic (a medication that reduces anxiety). It is reported to promote anti-anxiety benefits without the sedative side effects associated with many commonly used anti-depressant and anti-anxiety prescription medications.
It has also been used in clinical treatment for the symptoms of alcohol withdrawal as well as in children suffering from tics and stuttering.
Phenibut is similar in nature to prescription benzodiazepine derivatives commonly used to reduce anxiety such as alprazolam (Xanax). The primary mechanism of action of benzodiazepines is their ability to enhance the inhibitory actions of GABA.
Its effects are often compared to those of baclofen, gabapentin, and GHB (gamma-Hydroxybutyric acid).
Research suggests that Phenibut can be taken safely under the direction of a physician. However, there is a high risk of side effects if it is used improperly, combined with other substances or taking too frequently.
Understanding Phenibut, how it works in the body, and what type of effects and side effects are associated with it is important in establishing the potential risks of recreationally taking high doses of this substances.
Effects & Mechanisms
This compound is typically used by individuals who want to overcome social anxiety, get a good night’s sleep, improve their mood and feel more emotionally balanced. It appears to work quickly compared to other mood supplements.
It is also reported to be used as an alcohol substitute among people who do not want to drink beer, liquor or wine. Some sources suggest it has potential cognitive enhancement effects, but not everyone sees positive effects on their mental performance.
Phenibut is similar in its molecular structure to GABA, but features an additional phenyl ring. This improves its transportation across the blood brain barrier. GABA, on the other hand, has poor transportation across this barrier when taken as an oral supplement.
Because of the similarity, Phenibut has the potential to imitate similar influences on certain receptors in the brain as does GABA. It can bind to these neuroreceptors and promote the same calming, tranquilizing response in users.
GABA encourages relaxation by counterbalancing channels between “excitatory” nerve pathways. In essence, GABA blocks or reduces stimulatory signals from propagating throughout the brain.
Phenibut may prove beneficial in decreasing neuron activity. [1] This action prevents nerve cells from becoming overstimulated, which we experience as racing thoughts, anxiousness, panic attacks, restlessness and agitation.
Most of the sedative-like effects are attributed to this mechanism of action. But there are some of its mood enhancing and euphoriant effects which may be linked to dopamine receptors.
In some studies, Phenibut has shown the potential to stimulate dopamine receptors and trigger synthesis of beta-phenethylamine. [2]
Phenethylamine is an endogenous (manufactured in the body) compound which acts as a central nervous system stimulant. Those with low phenethylamine levels may benefit from taking supplemental phenethylamine to boost mood and combat depression.
In animal studies, Phenibut has been shown benefits in decreasing anxiety, although large-scale controlled, double-blind clinical trials and studies are lacking. Limited data is available to fully or definitively evaluate its effects on focus, memory, and cognition.
- Powerful anxiolytic for stress reduction
- Improves sleep and may reduce insomnia
- Neuroprotective and cardioprotective effects
Phenibut Recreational and Off-Label Use
There are a large number of user reviews of Phenibut posted in public forum boards and discussion threads including those on Reddit and Longecity. These give insight into the ways in which this compound is being used recreationally.
Off-label use of Phenibut for motivation and reduction of anxiety is more popular than its marketed purpose of improving sleep.
Goals of users and user reactions regarding use of Phenibut vary depending on the dosage taken and frequency of use.
Some turn to Phenibut as a substitute and treatment for alcohol cravings and withdrawal. When used in moderation and for short term with a dosage that tapers down over time, this has proved effective for some.
Others say that they use it expressly for the purposes of achieving a “high” state. It does not always deliver positive effects on mood and relaxation, however.
One of the primary concerns of medical professionals is that those seeking the Phenibut high, or that euphoric, feel-good sensation is the brain’s rate of developing a tolerance to the drug.
Those looking for the Phenibut high and the sense of euphoria it provides have discovered that achieving the next high with the same dosage can be elusive and challenging.
In clinical practices, dosages of 250 mg are taken up to three times per day. For more serious conditions, short-term doses of 500 to 750 mg may be prescribed under doctor supervision and taken three times a day. However, these doses are used for a maximum of 5-7 days followed by a tapering off period.
Those seeking the recreational effects had to use higher dosages than recommended by casual users – and increase dosages to obtain that same high on consecutive attempts.
Because of fast development of tolerance, upping dosages is often necessary to get over the “plateau” of effects. But this practice is extremely dangerous and can lead to withdrawal symptoms when users discontinue the compound.
Some users report ingesting as much as 5 – 20 grams of this substance in one day. Using dosages this high can threaten your health and well-being, cause respiratory depression, lead to hospitalization and may cause death, especially in combination with other substances.
The effects of this nootropic agent also can take a long time to kick in full. As a result, some users end up re-dosing the product thinking that it is not working. It is important not to take more than the suggested amount even if you do not think it is working for you.
Find out more about the recommended Phenibut dosages used in medical practice here and learn how to taper your doses down to minimize withdrawal symptoms.
Users can have very different response to the same dosage of Phenibut, depending on prior use, tolerance, and cross-tolerance with other GABAergic agents including GHB, Gabapentin, benzodiazepines, opiate, barbiturates, thienodiazepines and alcohol.
One user taking 2 g Phenibut in the morning remarked that his energy, focus, and sensory perceptions increased. Another user taking the exact same amount expressed that he felt no effects whatsoever.
In a third case report, an individual taking a 1-gram dosage was admitted to the hospital due to symptoms of agitation, hyperthermia (elevated temperature) and tachycardia (rapid heart rate).
Not all of the side effects are dangerous to your health. Some are merely unpleasant, such as those reported by one user who took an oral dose of 2.5 g to 3 g per day and they were more apt to pass gas and experienced brief, explosive bouts of diarrhea.
Using Phenibut recreationally to get high increases the risk of all of these side effects. Since users respond differently to dosages of the same strength, you should not assume that because one user reported taking a specific high dose without side effects that you can too.
Serious Side Effects of Phenibut Misuse
When taken responsibly (meaning as instructed by a doctor or on packaging labels) for short periods of time, most individuals will not experience serious side effects or adverse reactions.
Phenibut has been widely prescribed in Russia and Europe, initially because it was viewed as safer than other anti-anxiety medications on the market at the time.
But like any drug ingested in higher than recommended dosages, or too frequently, or for a longer period of time than recommended, serious ramifications may occur.
Compared to other commonly used nootropic substances, Phenibut poses a greater risk of dangers to your health and has the potential to trigger serious side effects.
You can learn more about Phenibut side effects in this article.
Some recreational users scoff at such warnings from medical resources. Do not ignore the risks. They may leave you incapacitated, unconscious or worse.
Users on Reddit have compiled a Serious Adverse Events List describing some of the reports of people who have experienced dangerous reactions to this compound.
If you do use Phenibut for anxiety or sleep, it is important to follow harm reduction practices to minimize safety risks.
Below are some side effects reported by previous users seeking the Phenibut high who were tempted to go above and beyond dosage recommendations.
“TL;DR Almost died recently after 6 week phenibut habit that was supposed to help end an opiate run, but instead took a sinister turn.
Started at daily 2 g, ramping up midway to daily mid run 14-18 g habit and blowing out at 28-30 g on last use before OD. Be aware that phenibut OD has no known antidote (at last from what I’ve read). Mixed with short lived heavy oral buproprion addiction.
That combo created a very clean, euphoric, emphatic and functional high at right dosing: the “perfect” high. think: limitless NZT. Access to every memory and easily could create grand solutions to any conceptual problem easily. Glorification, I know, but damn…
Addiction took a wild, reckless and quite accidental OD direction after positive benefits lost to moderate to high dosing. This was about 2/3 way through. Thank god no alcohol involved. Not a drinker.
I take complete responsibility. No one forced me to do these things. I am an addict. Will never touch phenibut again, even as an opiate wd tool ( reason for use in 1st place). Ever. Never ever do what I did in those 6 weeks. Learn from my carelessness. I’m ready to not be an addict any longer of any substance. Seriously. Scared the shit out of me.
Honestly, not trying to stop anyone from using responsibly, but if you want to see adverse effects, look no further…” – KeepsMakingMistakes
I cycle phenibut to treat nerve pain (I do have a prescription for nerve pain meds, didn’t take them that day though). I’ve gotten wasted while being under the influence of phenibut many, many times before, was on the same dose as always that night too. Ended up getting pretty wasted, still able to walk and talk fine though, and we decide to go the beach. Feeling good, having a good time, all of a sudden I get hit with this feeling that something is very wrong. No big deal, I think to myself, until a couple moments later my body starts to suddenly shut down and panic starts to set in.
Since we happened to take my buddy’s truck to the beach and it’s right there, I’m like fuck this, something is definitely not right and tell my friend to drive me to the emergency room right fucking now. My condition deteriorates on the way and start having mini blackouts. We arrive at the ER in no time being right there and my buddy was hauling some serious ass as he too was getting very concerned, fly right to the entrance and nurses fly out with a wheelchair. Cue going in and out of consciousness as I attempt to explain how much I drank, what I took and how much I took thankfully I’d told my friend on the way there so he told ’em.
This is where shit goes south. Nurses are doing all the usual tests for an overdose situation, decide not to give me charcoal or to pump my stomach though since it had been hours since the phenibut, and enough time since the alcohol for it to make no difference. Still falling in and out of consciousness. Suddenly I wake up some hours later. Wondering my my throat and dick hurts, and why my view is blocked by some contraption. Yeah, the contraption is a fucking ventilator (if you’ve never been hooked up to one, it fucking hurts your throat) and my dick hurts because of a catheter. IV and tons of shit connected to my body. Turns out that I died for a short while. From mixing alcohol and phenibut which I’ve done more than a couple times before. Same dose as always, not any more wasted than before. Who knew. No signs of serious brain damage (yet) though my brain has been slightly slow.
TL;DR: Died from mixing my usual dose of phenibut and alcohol which I’ve done many times before.
…Lots of people are asking for dosages: 1.5g phenibut, my usual dose, 7 or 8 drinks in about an hour with tolerance being low enough to be drunk but not wasted.
According to medical resources, adverse events and effects of overuse and misuse of recreational Phenibut include psychotic symptoms during withdrawal.
In one case report, a 20-year-old otherwise healthy man took Phenibut for two months. Tolerance was established within a week so he increased his dosages to 20 g daily. Within hours of his last dose, he experienced vague symptoms, but by the third day without Phenibut, he began to hallucinate.
Hallucinations and confusion increased. The overall conclusion of that case report was that tolerance and addiction to Phenibut is similar to that of gamma-Hydroxybutyric acid (GHB), baclofen, benzodiazepines. [4]
Another case published in the American Journal of Emergency Medicine reported that drug tolerance to Phenibut can occur within one to two weeks.
Following tolerance, increased dosages are required for desired effects. The range of dosages that produce intoxication or Phenibut overdose can range from 3 g daily for as little as four days or up to one single 30 g dose. [5]
Additional case studies have reported users presenting to emergency rooms with sedation, agitation with dystonia, potential Phenibut toxicity, acute behavioral disturbances.
Another article from 2017 describes the case of a 24-year-old male “fitness enthusiast” who presented at the emergency room with severe agitation and psychosis following physically destructive behavior on his personal property.
He had a history of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and anxiety. He also self-medicated with a number of supplements, anabolic steroids, and dextroamphetamine for the treatment of his ADHD.
He became addicted to Phenibut (he took twenty 250 mg tablets daily equating to 5 g daily) for two months. Combining Phenibut with steroids as well as amphetamines, resulted in acute respiratory failure caused by aspiration pneumonia, and rhabdomyolysis resulting in kidney injury, and psychosis.
No, not everyone seeking the Phenibut high will experience these side effects. Defenders of this nootropic supplement state that most of the adverse effects come from people with prior substance abuse, using dangerously high dosages or taking it with other substances.
However, the risk of misuse is significant and unintended consequences should always be taken into consideration before using Phenibut for recreational use. Caution is strongly advised.
- Most effective supplements to improve mood
- Optimize levels of dopamine, serotonin and GABA
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User Experiences Phenibut High?
What does it feel like to get high off of Phenibut? Taking megadoses of this substance may be tempting for those looking for relief from anxiety, stress, and desiring a euphoric sensation.
Individuals leaving comments on public forum boards have described the phenibut high as followed.
“It’s a double edged sword. Shit got me laid last weekend, but I was also blacked out drunk by 12. Started drinking about 7. For reference I never black out even when I get wasted. It’ll cut your tolerance in half.
The other times I’ve done it I’ve only drank moderately. It kind of makes you not notice little details. I mixed them playing poker a few times and would overlook a lot of things I would never miss, even drunk.
It makes my hangover last almost 2 days instead of the usual 1 day. Overall not really worth it.”- rad0909
“I’ve taken 5g or so several times and gone out partying, drinking 6+ standards or so and smoking weed. Never really noticed much potentiation like others describe but there was a lot of synergy. It seemed to make things much more euphoric yet clear headed, a lot like GHB. Never noticed hangovers but I wasn’t drinking enough to give me one normally anyways.
However, after using initial 100g supply in this manner as well as taking it casually here and there, I experienced really shitty prolonged withdrawal symptoms for the next few months. Brain zaps, insomnia, horrible rebound anxiety… this was years ago and I learned a lot about responsible dosing since (haven’t touched phen again either) .”- SorHand
View more Phenibut experience reports and user testimonials posted here.
It is also true that not every user will experience the Phenibut high or even want to. Numerous commenters on Reddit report that people taking excessively high dosages to achieve the ‘Phenibut high’ are ruining it for everyone else, primarily because of the negative attention it draws to this substance.
Others who use Phenibut comment that those who take such large doses are reckless and irresponsible, especially those who mix it with other drugs or alcohol.
Some claim the warnings on such public forum boards are nothing more than fear mongering. This is not true. Many people report idiosyncratic harmful reactions to Phenibut even if they have used it without adverse effects in the past.
The warnings are out there and should be taken seriously by those new to Phenibut as well as more experienced users.
You can develop a tolerance for it quite quickly and begin to experience a desire to increase the dosage to seek the same effects.
Because tolerance builds up so quickly, positive benefits are often lost. It is at this point that many go from moderate usage to incrementally high dosing.
Conclusion
In Russia, Phenibut has been used in clinical situations to improve and promote sleep in patients dealing with brain injuries, severe anxiety, and in the relief of PTSD symptoms. It has also incorporated into therapies for those struggling through alcohol withdrawal. [3]
This nootropic can be found in dietary supplements sold in the United States, such as SNS Phenibut XT, the original MRM Relax-All, and Primaforce Phenibut bulk powder.
Some benefits of occasional use of Phenibut may provide relief of symptoms of social anxiety, depression, and inability to sleep. However, the dangers of misuse, overuse, and abuse are not to be ignored.
Phenibut can trigger similar neuroreceptors in the brain as alcohol, benzodiazepines, and baclofen. The same GABAergic effects linked to the above-mentioned compound can trigger negative effects with misuse of Phenibut.
Off-label use of Phenibut in countries around the world is growing increasingly popular for its potential to promote relaxation, a sense of well-being, a state of mental calmness, and a feeling of restfulness.
But Phenibut is dangerous to take at high dosages or “megadoses” due to the risk of not only side effects, but tolerance, addiction, withdrawal and potential overdose. Use of phenibut to promote a mental high is likely to result in more negative results than positive effects.
Case reports of adverse events regarding Phenibut often involve those who have reported a history of anxiety, depression, insomnia, or combined substance abuse.
Reviews left on public forum boards for off-label use of Phenibut are valuable in understanding the potential risks of this substance, especially in combination with other substances like alcohol.
Examining comments found on public message boards provides evidence that people are misusing Phenibut recreationally, perhaps unaware of the consequences of high dosages.
While this compound is purported to have off-label benefits for reducing social anxiety and elevating mood, it is not recommended to use it without first consulting with a doctor to determine whether it is appropriate for you. Always take it according to the directions provided by your physician or the product guidelines.
Taking Phenibut for recreational use should be avoided, as it can be quite dangerous if not taken appropriately. Using this substance in high doses can produce serious adverse events including psychosis, unconsciousness, loss of memory, respiration depression, hospitalization and even death.
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- ChemEurope. Phenibut
- Lapin I. Phenibut (beta-phenyl-GABA): a tranquilizer and nootropic drug. CNS Drug Rev. 2001 Winter;7(4):471-81.
- Lapin I. Phenibut (beta-phenyl-GABA): a tranquilizer and nootropic drug. CNS Drug Rev. 2001 Winter;7(4):471-81.
- Lovisa Högberg, et al. Psychotic symptoms during phenibut (beta-phenyl-gamma-aminobutyric acid) withdrawal. Journal of Substance Abuse. Vol. 18, 2013 – Issue 4
- Seth Sankary, et al. American Journal of Emergency Medicine.University of Miami. Phenibut Overdose.(2016)
Article last updated on: July 16th, 2018 by Nootriment