Phenibut is a supplement that many people use as a sleep aid and relaxation promoter. This compound is a type of aminobutyric acid also sold under the brand name Noofen.
It was created in Russia and has been used for anxiety and stress since the 1960’s. It was originally developed for astronauts, to help them eliminate stress when living in space for a prolonged period of time.
Another positive effect of this nootropic is that it may make it easier to fall asleep and achieve deep and restful sleep at night. You may even find that you are capable of lucid dreaming when using Phenibut as a sleep aid.



- 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
- SNS Phenibut XT Review
Phenibut is a derivative of GABA, the primary inhibitory neurotransmitter in the brain.
GABA itself cannot be used as a supplement since it is incapable of crossing into the blood-brain barrier, which is the protective membrane that separates the bloodstream from brain tissue.
Phenibut does not suffer from this problem though. Its molecular structure allows it to pass through the blood-brain barrier. Phenibut is nearly identical to GABA in structure, but it has an added phenyl ring which acts as a transportation vehicle across the blood-brain barrier.
Limited studies done on this supplement often contradict each other. Some say that Phenibut has the ability to improve neurological functions, and others claim that no such effects were observed. Until more research comes to light, it’s very hard to say which of the clinical studies are most accurate.
Even though we are still unsure whether or not Phenibut can aid with neurological functions, many studies have shown that it may have anxiolytic effects. Many user reviews and experience logs speak of the relaxation-promoting benefits of this supplement.
When used for anxiety, Phenibut in turn can cause a feeling of ease, which may help you fall asleep faster, and into a deeper, more restful sleep.
Phenibut Benefits
There is limited research information on the benefits of Phenibut. However some studies have shown that Phenibut may support feelings of wellbeing, and relaxation. This supplement may help alleviate stress, which comes from overactive neural processing.
What this means is that if you are the type of person who will focus on something (even if it’s small and insignificant) and think about it excessively, Phenibut might be able to help you. When taking this supplement, users have reported feeling more at ease with their thoughts and emotions. Some people even used the word “tranquility” to describe their state.
Other users have reported feeling less anxious in social situations that may have proved to be anxious in the past. By helping to overcome unnecessary inhibitions, Phenibut may allow you to relax and avoid feelings of anxiety.

- Powerful anxiolytic for stress reduction
- Improves sleep and may reduce insomnia
- Neuroprotective and cardioprotective effects
Phenibut also has been observed to enhance levels of Dopamine. Dopamine plays a great role in the regulation of reward and pleasure as well as voluntary movement and learning.
There is also some evidence of Phenibut leading to improved brain function, especially in regards to communication between the two hemispheres of the brain. This has potential to improve reasoning and problem solving skills.
Higher levels of Dopamine can further lead to greater impulse control and boost your ability to focus for long periods of time.
The majority of the research done on Phenibut is from studies conducted in Russia when Phenibut was first developed. More current research needs to be done to determine the full effects Phenibut may have on conditions like anxiety, depression, and sleep disorders. While Phenibut is used as a prescription medication for anxiety in Russia, as this time in the USA, the FDA has not approved Phenibut as a drug for the prevention or treatment of any conditions.
Phenibut Sleep Aid Properties
Proper use of Phenibut may help with deeper, better and more restful sleep. If you find yourself often waking up in the middle of the night, having trouble getting to sleep, or just often have a restless and light sleep, then taking this supplement might help you with your problem.
Because it may help reduce anxious thoughts and feelings, it can help put your body at ease, which will allow you to fall into deeper sleep, faster.
Those of you suffering from insomnia may also benefit from this supplement. Current Russian research tells us that Phenibut has been used for insomnia, and may help relax the user to a point where its effects may be compared to those of Valium.
The importance of high quality sleep for mental performance cannot be overstated. Sleep is also vital for processes related to memory consolidation and brain and body maintenance. In this regard, using Phenibut to promote sleep can lead to better cognitive function across a wide spectrum of metrics.

- Most effective supplements to improve mood
- Optimize levels of dopamine, serotonin and GABA
- Protect against stress and anxiety
Phenibut Dosing
Although there are positive effects of Phenibut, there are also possible side effects if used incorrectly.
The manufacturer’s recommended serving size is 300 milligrams. Try to stay very close to this number at the beginning, and do not combine this supplement with any other GABA agonists.
Alcohol is an example of a GABA agonist. You must avoid alcohol during your Phenibut cycle.
You are also advised not to take Phenibut on an on-going basis as this can lead to problems related to tolerance and withdrawal. It would be best to use Phenibut on an occasional basis for sleep aid purposes.
You may slowly increase your dosage with time. As the effects of it start to be less prominent, users have reported increasing their dosage up to 2.5 g over time. However, the higher the dosage the more likely the chance of tolerance forming, and withdrawal symptoms increasing. It is not recommended to surpass 1000mg per day.
Because Phenibut may produce feelings of fatigue, it is not recommended to take during the day. As a sleep aid, you should be taking this supplement approximately one to two hours before you intend to go to bed. This will ensure that the supplement has enough time to reach your brain and kick in.
Although currently there is not a lot of research on Phenibut, more and more information is constantly becoming available. Be sure to keep yourself updated with the most current research on this anxiolytic supplement.
Overall a lot of information currently available on Phenibut comes from anecdotal evidence. These reviews can be incredibly informative, but scientific research should always be your primary source where possible. Users often report that Phenibut helps them deal with stress and anxiety, and with correct doses it also can help them get restful and deep sleep.
Phenibut is considered an effective sleep aid by many users, but you should make sure to cycle it and never use more than the recommended dose.
- Downes MA, Berling IL, Mostafa A, Grice J, Roberts MS, Isbister GK. Acute behavioural disturbance associated with phenibut purchased via an internet supplier. Clin Toxicol (Phila). 2015
- Perfilova VN, Sadikova NV, Berestovitskaia VM, Vasil'eva OS. [Cardioprotective properties of new glutamic acid derivative under stress conditions]. Eksp Klin Farmakol. 2014
- Komissarov IV, Abramets II. [Ionic mechanisms of the effects of phenibut and GABA unrelated to changes in the function of chloride channels]. Neirofiziologiia. 1985
- Samotrueva MA, Tiurenkov IN, TeplyÄ DL, Kuleshevskaia NR, Khlebtsova EV. [Immune-regulating effect of phenibut under lipopolysaccharide-induced immune stress conditions]. Eksp Klin Farmakol. 2010
- O'Connell CW, Schneir AB, Hwang JQ, Cantrell FL. Phenibut, the appearance of another potentially dangerous product in the United States. Am J Med. 2014
- Kovalev GI, Prikhozhan AV, RaevskiÄ KS. [Presynaptic component in the mechanism of fenibut action]. Biull Eksp Biol Med. 1982
- Zavadenko NN, Suvorinova NIu. [The results of the pharmacological treatment of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder: evaluation with neuropsychological methods]. Zh Nevrol Psikhiatr Im S S Korsakova. 2014
Article last updated on: March 13th, 2018 by Nootriment
3 Comments
Hi,
I use phenibut every 24 hours .
500mg is my maximum.
It is a sort of enhancer for everything.
I drink less alcohol and even dont have a desire for any other harddrugs anymore.
I have a adictiveproblem, but phenibut IS a solution for me.
Its very personal…because phenibut is so addictive, i find the optimum dosis for me…the sweetspot ..
Anybody have the same possitive feelings with LOW dosis of phenibut?
.
I hope you aren’t still doing that, niko. 500mg of a highly addictive GABAergic drug every 24 hours is NOT a solution to addiction; it’s a continuation. If it keeps you off the hard drugs, that’s good, but daily anxiolytic usage is a very hard habit to kick. With phenibut in particular, the withdrawals will make life seem like living hell, and for quite a bit longer than the withdrawal from most other drugs due to phenibut’s long half-life.
Phenibut should be treated exactly like a less potent form of Xanax or Valium, because it is, practically.
I started with an a teaspoon full about 7pm , was unaware this was a very large dose until I researched it .I was having amazing dreams but developed bad diarrhoea so began to take a few days of with no ill effects. I would estimate this dose to be about 4-5g ,it also took away all side effects of stopping zolpidem which I had been taking for 15 plus years , tramadol which I had been taking for 5 years . It also had the effect of constantly lowering my blood pressure for which I had been taking 3 different tablets .I have since bought caplets and take 3 x 500g for 3 days and off for 3 days. I haven’t had to increase this dose in the 2 years I’ve been doing this.