If you are experiencing anxiety, Sulbutiamine is one of many supplements that users have reported works on the underlying chemical imbalances that cause this disorder.
It is reviewed as being especially ideal for individuals with social anxiety as well as for people who feel that their anxiety is getting in the way of productivity and optimal focus.
While Sulbutiamine does not display the typical characteristic effects of an anxiolytic compound, it is noted for a positive effect on mood and attention switching.
For cases of social or performance anxiety, this nootropic is observed to increase confidence, provide additional energy and make it easier to block out negative thoughts. It is also said to improve verbal fluidity, making it easier and more enjoyable to talk in group settings.



- Heightened alertness, focus & energy
- Supports memory & mental performance
- Promotes mood through dopaminergic activity
Sulbutiamine Overview
Related Topics
- What is Sulbutiamine?
- What is Arcalion?
- User Reviews
- Effects and Benefits
- Why Take Sulbutiamine?
- Sulbutiamine for Energy
- Effects on Dopamine
- Dosage Guidelines
- Sulbutiamine for Anxiety
- Possible Side Effects
- Bulk Sulbutiamine Suppliers
- Buying Sulbutiamine Online
- Arcalion Uses
- How to Take Arcalion
- Is Arcalion Safe?
- Buy Arcalion
Sulbutiamine (also known as Arcalion) is a synthetic variety of vitamin B1, or Thiamine. It is technically considered to be a dimer of two modified Thiamine molecules.
It is a lipophilic compound which is able to cross the blood-brain barrier much more readily than Thiamine. This supplement was developed in Japan and is the result of an effort to develop a more bioavailable molecule of vitamin B1.
By increasing its lipophilicity, more of it actually reaches the brain, resulting in better energy utilization as well as improved nerve function.
How Does Sulbutiamine Work?
Sulbutiamine works by crossing over the blood-brain barrier and then entering into the central nervous system. Once this happens, it leads to an increase in the levels of both Thiamine and Thiamine esters within the brain. Sulbutiamine supplements are able to selectively target the areas of the brain which are known to be involved in conditions like anxiety.
Also within the mechanism of action for Sulbutiamine is an interaction with the receptor sites and transmission systems for certain neurotransmitters used to control behavior. This includes Acetylcholine, Dopamine, and Glutamate.
All of these brain chemicals are involved in our most basic cognitive processes that determine how we feel, what we focus on, and the way we think.
Dopamine, for example, is directly related to our mood and is typically released as a response of the reward system in the brain. Acetylcholine and Glutamate are both involved in the ability to form and retrieve memories, but Acetylcholine also plays a role in executive function and the ability to concentrate or block out certain stimuli.
Sulbutiamine & Anxiety
Anxiety occurs when your neurons begin firing at a higher, uncontrolled rate.
You may feel like you are experiencing a million thoughts at once without being able to focus on any single one. Individuals often describe being fixated on broad negative possibilities or feeling a general sense of foreboding.
This is accompanied by symptoms of stress as well as panic and the inability to change your focus or control your thoughts. Anxiety can manifest itself in physical signs and make it difficult to maintain a normal sleep schedule.
Anxiolytics usually work on the GABA pathways in the brain, causing the rate of firing for your neurons to be slowed. This allows the brain to relax and makes your mind less sensitive to negative thought loops. However, these supplements can often lead to sedative-like responses in the body, resulting in drowsiness or difficulty concentrating.
Sulbutiamine is not an anxiolytic in this sense. Instead, it is known to produce a positive mood by working in conjunction with dopamine receptors. It can also increase energy levels, helping to combat some of the fatigue that may come with a panic attack.
Users describe it as providing stimulation that can be channeled or more appropriated focused due to Sulbutiamine’s positive effect on executive functions. Sulbutiamine is also described as alleviating stress, giving you productive levels of energy.
There are some situations in which Sulbutiamine can have a negative effect on General Anxiety Disorder. If you feel like this nootropic is making you too energetic and causing greater anxiety, consider replacing it with something else or stacking it with a nootropic like Phenibut, 5-HTP, or Aniracetam.
Sulbutiamine & Social Anxiety
Where Sulbutiamine really shines is when it is used for occasional shyness, performance anxiety, as well as anxiety in social settings. Numerous user reports indicate that taking this supplement before planned social encounters helps to reduce the anxious feelings and even physical discomfort when meeting or interacting with new people.
It seems to be able to lower inhibitions and allow users to feel more comfortable speaking as well as improving conversational ease. Much of this is attributed to the boost in confidence and mental drive that Sulbutiamine gives its user. While the fear may still remain, this Thiamine derivative is said to make it easier to block out negative thoughts so that you can focus on the present moment.
Using Sulbutiamine for social anxiety may be more effective when it is taken in conjunction with other compounds such as Aniracetam, Choline or Adrafinil.
Research on Sulbutiamine use for anxiety is limited, and more research is needed, especially large-scale human trials. At this time Sulbutiamine is available as a dietary supplement only, and the FDA has not approved Sulbutiamine as a drug to prevent or treat any conditions.
Sulbutiamine Effects
Some individuals with General Anxiety Disorder may find that Sulbutiamine’s stimulant-like properties are not well suited for their personal anxiety.
Other nootropics that are also used for anxiety (like Phenibut or Picamilon) typically work by promoting the brain to relax and curb excitability, and may be a better match.
In small doses, Sulbutiamine may have some effect on reducing thoughts of stress and negative feelings. However, Sulbutiamine in larger doses can increase mental activity, but in a channeled manner. This makes it suitable for use as a “smart drug” by individuals with anxiety who need to concentrate and be productive.
But it should not be used in the evening as it may interfere with sleep, or at periods of time when the brain is particularly anxious as it may exacerbate those events.
- Bettendorff L, Weekers L, Wins P, Schoffeniels E. Injection of sulbutiamine induces an increase in thiamine triphosphate in rat tissues. Biochem Pharmacol. 1990
- Micheau J, Durkin TP, Destrade C, Rolland Y, Jaffard R. Chronic administration of sulbutiamine improves long term memory formation in mice: possible cholinergic mediation. Pharmacol Biochem Behav. 1985
- Balzamo E, Vuillon-Cacciuttolo G. [Facilitation of a state of wakefulness by semi-chronic treatment with sulbutiamin (Arcalion) in Macaca mulatta]. Rev Electroencephalogr Neurophysiol Clin. 1982
Article last updated on: March 13th, 2018 by Nootriment
3 Comments
Hello, I got some problems with sulbutiamine here.
I’ve been a moderate user of phenibut for sociable contest (never more than 500mg at once) always with good results, and I used it last time, the day before I firstly experienced sulbutiamine.
MY WEIGHT: 134 LBS
DOSAGE: 300 MG
I used it on a morning after just 3 hours of sleep as I had to meet an important professor for a work. While extremely effective in blocking every negative thought I’m used to have in social situations like this, literally shutting down my inner “dialogue”, I also felt quite “foggy”: I could just smile and say basic things, I felt a good energy but couldn’t really concentrate on anything.
I gave it another chance the evening of the following day, always at 300 mg, before a party, and I felt even worse: relaxed as I never experienced, but with the greatest brain fog I’ve ever had, and the more I couldn’t built a conversation, or even think how to answer questions, the more I started panicking.. well this situation is on stage since than, with very mild improvements, for two weeks now..
I even stopped studying and going out, and my inner anxiety is building always more.. any suggestion?
any nootropics I could take to recover this situation, and, at least, begin to study once more?
Hi Tebesius,
It’s possible that you’re experiencing withdrawal after you’ve stopped taking Phenibut and it might not be related to the use of Sulbutiamine. Here is our article on that subject matter: https://nootriment.com/phenibut-withdrawal/
Have you used other anti-anxiety drugs in the past such as benzodiazepines or other GABAergic compounds? Before trying any new nootropics, it would be good to know if you are on other medications or have been diagnosed with anxiety by your doctor.
When I experience brain fog like what you’ve described, I generally take 5-HTP, Acetyl L-Carnitine, an Alpha GPC supplement and some Noopept to eliminate it.
Admin,
I’ve never used any sort of drugs acting on nervous system, not even Gabaergics, apart, as I said, Phenibut.
I know very good it could give “withdrawal”, but using it always at 500 mg, no more than once a week, I believe I could control and prevent this, and it has never been cause of concern until now.. Also, when I experienced some Phenibut-related anxiety, I could always say it was due to it.. it is a well defined kind of anxiety.. But this time it was not anxiety, but lethargy and heavy brain fog, that’s why I believe it’s sulbutiamine.
Couldn’t have been some sort of sulbutiamine “overdose”, or crush?
I’ve read some sulbutiamine crushes on the web as well..