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If you have been investigating using Phenibut for anxiety or as a cognitive enhancer, you may have heard some unpleasant stories about Phenibut withdrawal.
Phenibut withdrawal is indeed a concern that needs to be weighed when taking this nootropic. However, it is important to put this risk into perspective and to plan to use Phenibut in a way that will lower the risk of withdrawal symptoms or the development of a dependence.
Like any psychoactive nootropic compound, Phenibut can be used in the right way or it can be used in the wrong way. What is the risk of developing Phenibut withdrawal and what can you do to mitigate this risk?
Anxiety
Mood
Sleep & Insomnia- Powerful anxiolytic for stress reduction
- Stimulates GABA receptors & supports sleep
- Neuroprotective & supports cognitive function
Phenibut Drug Information
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 sold as a brain supplement under the brand names Noofen, Phenybut, Fenibut, or simply as generic Phenibut.
It is pharmacologically derived from the neurotransmitter known as gamma-aminobutyric acid, or GABA for short.
While GABA itself is incapable of crossing over the blood brain barrier in meaningful quantities, adding a phenyl ring allows Phenibut to be transported across this barrier more easily.
This supplement provides many of the same benefits as GABA, offering neuroprotective effects as well as reducing anxious thoughts, restoring a feeling of well-being, and helping individuals concentrate.
The drug was developed in the Soviet Union during the 1960’s where it was originally given to Russian cosmonauts to prevent anxiety in their space missions without disrupting cognitive faculties. Since then, in Russia it has been used to treat a range of ailments related to disorders of mood, sleep cycles, and stress.
Phenibut is still used in Russia as a psychotropic drug, but has not been approved for use in medical contexts as a drug in the USA. However, it is sold as a nootropic supplement because it is reported to improve many of the neurological functions in the brain.
Bodybuilders will also take Phenibut as part of the recovery from an intense workout because they believe it is linked to higher levels of HGH release in the pituitary glands. Finally, it is used as a recreational substance for promoting relaxation enhanced sociability as well as a sexual performance supplement.
- Powerful anxiolytic for stress reduction
- Improves sleep and may reduce insomnia
- Neuroprotective and cardioprotective effects
Phenibut for Anxiety
The mechanism of action for Phenibut is almost entirely GABAergic; it stimulates gamma receptors in the brain causing increased release of GABA from your neuronal vesicles.
Phenibut also activates GABA receptors on certain synapses in regions of your brain that control mood and anxiety. GABA is an inhibitory neurotransmitter that regulates the firing rate of neurons, causing them to become less excitable than they would otherwise be in the presence of stressful or anxiety-inducing stimuli.
Phenibut works on the GABA B metabotropic type of receptors in a similar fashion as alcohol, helping to relax the brain and body. This causes a release of tension from muscles, relaxed inhibitions, and can alleviate mental stress which enables the user to feel more calm and at peace.
More common tranquilizers used to treat stress and anxiety can make a patient drowsy and actually impair optimal functioning of your brain. However, many users say that Phenibut doesn’t have an unfavorable effect on performance, but still lowers stress levels.
For this reason, it is a favorite anxiolytic supplement among nootropic users who may also use other cognitive enhancers like Piracetam, Aniracetam, Noopept, Sulbutiamine or Choline.
Phenibut Withdrawal Concerns
If you have spent any time researching Phenibut on some of the anxiety and drug forums hosted online, you may have come across stories of users developing a tolerance to this supplement.
This is an expected reaction when using a neurologically active compound like Phenibut for long periods of time. As your brain adjusts to higher levels of GABA, it may start to naturally release less of this neurotransmitter or your receptors may become less sensitive to its presence.
With enough repetition, it is theoretically possible that if you stop taking Phenibut, you could experience withdrawal since your brain has now adjusted to its regular presence.
On message boards and on blogs, some users have reported that they have had withdrawal symptoms after not taking Phenibut after a period of time. This may be because it was either used in excess by these users, or misused altogether.
Individuals who have seen long durations of withdrawal (5 days or more) after quitting Phenibut typically were taking upwards of 2 grams per day for several days.
There is one instance that was reported by a patient that described his side effects as “nervousness and shakiness, psychomotor agitation, feeling easily annoyed and irritated, fatigue, poor appetite, heart pounding and racing, nausea, insomnia, and feeling tense and keyed up.”
- Most effective supplements to improve mood
- Optimize levels of dopamine, serotonin and GABA
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Other Phenibut withdrawal symptoms may include sleep disruption, increased susceptibility to stress and anxiety, and persistent negative thoughts. This is not common, and has not been shown in clinical trials, though this may be due to the fact that most trials were short in duration and used conservative dosages.
The best way to prevent Phenibut withdrawal is to only use it on an occasional basis. You may decide to save it for days when you are experiencing anxiety episodes or to take it for one week and then cycle off of it for a week. Cycling your Phenibut dosages with another anxiolytic compound like Aniracetam is common.
If you start to see yourself developing a tolerance, it is best to allow your body to reset and your receptors to readjust. In case you do experience withdrawal symptoms from Phenibut, it is best to seek qualified medical advice as to how to proceed.
Your doctor may recommend that you slowly ease off your dosages over the course of a month so that you do not shock your system.
User Reviews of Withdrawal and Tolerance
A number of users who have taken Phenibut describe experiencing withdrawal symptoms following discontinuation of use. There are also users who feel no tolerance build-up or signs of withdrawal after taking this nootropic at a low dose.
The higher the dosage used and the longer this anxiolytic agent is taken, the greater the risk of withdrawal symptoms. Previous experience with alcohol abuse or use of other GABAergic drugs can also increase the risk of withdrawal occurring, based on user reviews.
Below is a selection of comments from users describing their experiences when they stop taking Phenibut.
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 [1]
I struggled with alcoholism and general drug addiction for quite awhile, and generally I think the strength and withdrawals of pheni are overstated – at least in my case.” – Omega481 [4]
Therefore, I define the upper limit at every third day. Note that this might still build some tolerance, it depends from person to person. It is also dosage-dependant. Every third day at 3000mg is most likely unsustainable for a lot of people.
Regardless, it is highly advised you take regular breaks of 2-4 weeks to let your mind and body fully reset itself. ” – Fairhill1 [4]
Phenibut Safety in General
Phenibut is viewed as highly safe and unlikely to cause negative side effects if it is used with a mindset of caution and prudence. Some studies have asserted that Phenibut has nearly no negative side effects.
The main complaint was an increase in drowsiness, especially when taken in the morning or afternoon. This side effect is not as profound as it is with benzodiazepine users.
For those that are taking MAO inhibitors or any medications to treat epilepsy, such as carbamazepine or oxcarbazepine, you should speak with a physician first to receive a consultation. There is some evidence that the functions of some epilepsy medications can be modulated with Phenibut.
It is also recommended to avoid sedatives and other drugs with tranquilizer effects when taking this nootropic. You should also avoid alcohol as the combination of these two substances can lead to excessive stimulation of GABA B receptors.
The recommended dosage for Phenibut powder falls in between 250 mg to 1500 mg. The dose can be taken twice daily, or as needed by each individual user. Health care professionals typically use discretion based on many different factors to get the right dosage prescribed.
It is common for Phenibut to be sold in 500 mg capsules, but this does not mean that this will be the most effective dosage for you.
To prevent the possibility of Phenibut withdrawal or tolerance, you may decide to take it cyclically with one week of usage followed by one week of rest. Another acceptable strategy is to use it only a few days a week with lots of “off time” planned into your schedule.
Before beginning a new supplement it is always recommended that you speak with your doctor. Proper dosages are dependent on many different factors including age and personal physiology, as well as the reason for taking a supplement. Your doctor will be able to determine the best dosage for your needs as well as help you avoid Phenibut withdrawal effects.
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- Phenibut Serious Adverse Events List. Reddit.
- Phenibut is amazing. Reddit.
- Reddit.
- Is it safe to take ~6 250mg capsules at once? Reddit.
- The beginners guide to phenibut. Reddit.
- The beauty of a low dose. Reddit.
- Phenibut is the most amazing drug ever. Reddit.
- Wong A, Little M, Caldicott D, Easton C, Andres D, Greene SL. Analytically confirmed recreational use of Phenibut (β-phenyl-γ-aminobutyric acid) bought over the internet. Clin Toxicol (Phila). 2015
- SkoromnyÄ NA, Beketov AI. [Changes in the cerebral hemodynamics under the influence of piracetam and fenibut during motion sickness]. Farmakol Toksikol. 1991
- Gol'dblat IuV, Lapin IP. [Phenibut potentiation of the therapeutic action of antiparkinson agents]. Zh Nevropatol Psikhiatr Im S S Korsakova. 1986
- Shul'gina GI, Petrishcheva AP, Kuznetsova GG. [Effect of a derivative of GABA, phenibut, on behavior and the activity of visual cortex neurons of the rabbit during elaboration of a defensive reflex and internal inhibition]. Zh Vyssh Nerv Deiat Im I P Pavlova. 1985
- Novikov VE, Kozlov SN, Iasnetsov VS. [Effect of benzodiazepine and GABA derivatives on the energy metabolism indices in brain edema]. Farmakol Toksikol. 1984
- Gracheva SV, Kovalev GV. [Effect of fenibut on cardiac hemodynamics in experimental hypertension from the aspect of age]. Farmakol Toksikol. 1986
- Tiurenkov IN, Sazhin VA. [Effect of gamma-aminobutyric acid analogs on the brain GABA-ergic system participating in cardiovascular regulation]. Farmakol Toksikol. 1986
- 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
11 Comments
Let’s face it – the body self-regulates, so, when you put GABA into your system, does your body produce less GABA to compensate, and if so, is that why withdrawl is awefull?
It is a fact: taking thyroid medication signals the thyroid to produce LESS thyroid – that’s why you feel sick the first weeks.
Someone please answer….
That sounds like the definition of tolerance, so yeah. That’s correct. Or if your body doesn’t make it, it gets used to the chemical by trying to keep the body in homeostasis until it gets used to it and get a tolerance.
This stuff is dangerous, too much is still unknown about it. I’m a Nurse and I just had a friend die from using it, he was fine one minute then the next got very paranoid, anxious and ran away. He was found deceased 30 mins later. I’d caution anyone using this until they know more about this drug and it’s withdrawals.
I’m not a scientist or anything, but I’m pretty sure A LOT is known about this drug.
How much was your friend using?
For how long?
What was the cause of death?
How can it be directly linked to his Phenibut use?
Why was he using it?
Did he have any psychological disorders?
I mean, there are so many other things that you have to consider and take into perspective when it comes to situations like this.
Just pointing the finger at a drug is kind of a cop-out — and above all — a scare tactic.
I’ll end by stating that there are no reported deaths caused by Phenibut or Phenibut withdrawal.
I’ve been using Phenibut for almost a year. Sometimes it’s once a week, sometimes it’s for three or four days then a break. After one day, I feel almost hungover but it’s tolerable and easily slept off. After a few days, I’ve experienced strange withdrawal symptoms like hypersensitivity to (highly annoyed by) sound – voices and noises made by mouth especially – even my own. Also, I’ve experienced facial itching and sneezing, runny nose. Has anyone else had this?
I take it daily, 1000 mg. 2x a day. (It turned out to be a fantastic antidepressant, actually). But, if for some reason there’s too long a space between doses, e.g., dose at 6 P.M. and then not until 12 Noon the next day, I will get a very definite withdrawal. I get the ‘alcoholic shakes’ and profuse sweating. Until I get my dose down & it kicks in.
Phenibut withdrawal wasn’t nearly as bad as I expected, not as bad as others say it was for them. I stopped taking phenibut abruptly – no tapering – after 4 months of daily use at 4000/mg. per day.
Here’s what I DID experience:
– Annoying tremors & shakes, mostly in the hands when holding something, especially during the morning hours and after my usual A.M. coffee.
– A general feeling of being ‘;wound up’.
– Very early morning awakenings (say, 3 A.M.) where I could not get back to sleep unless I took some kratom or valerian.
– A near constant tinnitus.
– A clear head and quick thinking (clearer & quicker than when i was on the phenibut).
– The ability to go to work every day and do a great job.
Here’s what I did NOT experience:
– Feelings of impending doom.
– Crushing depression,
– Lethargy.
– Excessive sweating.
– Derealization.
– Hallucinations, neither visual or aural.
I write this report entering Day 5 after sudden cessation. So overall, nothing as devastating as benzo withdrawal or full-fledged alcohol withdrawal (DT’s). And I’d say that most of the opioids have more distressing withdrawals than this.
Valerian root – in the form of capsules, purchased at the local Family Dollar Store – worked surprisingly well at stopping the tremors. I used the valerian on Days 2 & 3 only. Note: I took high doses of it. But it did work and it worked wonderfully. That was a pleasant surprise because previously I never thought much of valerian before.
Thanx for your comment. I to am a daily Phenibut user at around 4g. I’m thinking of resetting myself to bring the old tolerance down. The only reason I’m thinking of stopping is the effects aren’t lasting and the elation and “no inhibitions” effect don’t seem to always be there. What made you stop? Think I need a wash out. People take Prozac and Paxil everyday because it helps them, I take Phenibut.
Hey Dave, I’m another daily user at around 4g. I noticed the same thing. I’m also getting hyper sensitive, which to me is a bad side effect when your getting along better than ever with your girl, then suddenly you start arguing over something small and stupid. I get frustrated that Phenibut is not working like it used to. I’m up to 4g and 4g of Kratom. In a few hours I vape a little cannabis and I’m off to paradise! Bike ride and workout are a breeze. But what used to last all day with a 500mg booster in the middle of the day, now is less and less effective. I don’t want to go up to 5g. So I guess I have to taper. According to this blog you replied just 4 days ago. So I’d like to somehow keep in touch and know how you are doing. Thanx.
I normally order phenibut from liftmode.com and haven’t been disappointed thus far. I suffer from insomnia and have mild anxiety so phenibut definitely helps out a lot. Its difficult to be around other people when you’re going through a lot internally and this definitely helps me come out of my shell, not think about my problems so much and just really be in the present moment. I only take it once every week or once every couple weeks, depending on how im feeling but i really try not to overdue it because i read about withdrawals and developing a tolerance for it, and do not wanna go through that.
im also super happy its available online for purchase and i dont have to go through the process of a visit to the doctor. this stuff is actually powerful and super sedating in large doses so please be careful. also dont mix it with alcohol bc it will double the alcohol intake and you will feel like crap and have a major hangover. not to mention the damage to your liver. all in all, i really hope they dont take it off the market because ive come to really rely on this when i need it most. get it. it works.
My naturapathic doctor recommended phenibut to me for sleep. I have taken. 900mg an hour before bedtime for 2 years. I ran out of phenibut a week ago and the sudden stop of phenibut has caused a week of hellish withdrawal symptoms of terrible hand tremors,all over shakiness, jitteriness, nausea, lack of appetite, terrible depression, and lethargy, and insomnia. I am a wreck! I tried substituting with 750mg of a Gaba capsule which. caused terrible all over itchiness which kept me awake all night. I am back on the 900mg of phenibut for the past two nights and I am at least getting some sleep but not enough yet. I am still. very depressed tho, however I am married to a verbally, emotionally, and ocassionally physically abusive rage a holic
man. I also have multiple health issues including heart failure. I can’t focus enough to even see an attorney about divorce. Been married for 23 years, worked for 35yrs. as a preschool teacher but am now disabled.