Sulbutiamine is a synthetic version of Vitamin B1 (Thiamine) which is known to have nootropic properties.
It was developed in Japan to help combat problems with B vitamin deficiencies. This supplement mimics the mild Nootropic effects of Thiamine but in a stronger and more powerful way.
There are also additional benefits experienced with Sulbutiamine supplements unrelated to those seen through Thiamine. This is one of the more effective Nootropic supplements with a known method of action and a number of cognitive benefits – especially for memory, attention span, alertness, and mood.
Here’s what you need to know about Sulbutiamine powder and using it in your nootropic regimen including how it works, potential side effects and common stack combinations.



- Heightened alertness, focus & energy
- Supports memory & mental performance
- Promotes mood through dopaminergic activity
Sulbutiamine vs Thiamine
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One of the most striking differences between using Sulbutiamine and Thiamine is their absorption rates.
Thiamine must go through the digestive tract to be absorbed and this is highly inefficient. The rate can be influenced and reduced by factors such as folic acid deficiencies or having higher concentrations of Thiamine already in the digestive tract.
Sulbutiamine, on the other hand, is able to efficiently cross the blood-brain barrier and reaches the brain very quickly. It is also much more powerful than its counterpart at the same dosage and is faster acting.
How Sulbutiamine Works
Sulbutiamine easily crosses the blood-brain barrier and is very fast-acting.
After reaching the brain, Sulbutiamine is believed to have modulating effects on several different types of systems including the cholinergic, glutamatergic, and dopamine receptors. These three areas are primarily responsible for the Nootropic benefits of Sulbutiamine.
Sulbutiamine powder is fat soluble and has a very good absorption rate within the body. This ensures that it reaches the destination points fast and effectively with a high rate of bioavailability. This also helps to improve the amount of circulating Thiamine phosphate esters within the brain.
Benefits of Sulbutiamine
A number of clinical studies and research have shown that this supplement can help improve memory. The transmission and communications of brain neurons are enhanced due to the effects upon Dopamine, Glutamate, and Acetylcholine. So, if you are looking to improve memory this supplement may be helpful for you.
Sulbutiamine has also received much attention as it is being studied as a method of combating other forms of cognitive decline including the possibility of helping treat Alzheimer’s disease and even types of schizophrenia.
The ability to improve neuronal communication and transmission also leads to other benefits. For example, many users have reported increased ability to focus and concentrate. This can also lead to increased attention span and mental alertness and energy.
For this reason, Sulbutiamine supplements are occasionally used as study aids. It may also be helpful for improving neuromuscular reflexes and and has been used in research for treating a condition known as asthenia (chronic fatigue based on cognitive function).
As the dopamine receptor sites are modified, many people experience an improved mood while taking Sulbutiamine powder. Dopamine is thought to be one of the main brain chemicals responsible for mood and movement. It is also used at times as a way of relieving stress and even as a party drug.
There are also some recent studies indicating that this supplement may help to treat erectile dysfunction, although more study is need (the mechanism of action for this is not yet known). Many people also use Sulbutiamine supplements as an appetite suppressant and fat burner to help control and lose weight.
Research on the effects of Sulbutiamine powder is limited and more research is still needed. Sulbutiamine is available as a health supplement only in the USA, and at this time the FDA has not approved Sulbutiamine as a drug to prevent or treat any conditions.
Sulbutiamine Powder Side Effects
Sulbutiamine can have a mild stimulant effect in some users.
However, there are not any of the typical amphetamine-like side effects that might ordinarily be expected with use of stimulant drugs like Adderall.
In fact, while technically this stimulation is classified as a Sulbutiamine side effect because it is not the primary mechanism of action, for some people this effect is considered to be a positive benefit.
Sulbutaimine has been rated by the Natural Medicines database as Possibly Safe when used orally and appropriately by adults, short term. It is generally well tolerated and most users do not experience any side effects. Some mild negative side effects have been reported by some users; of these, the most common are anxiety and irritability.
Even though it has been used for anxiety and depression, there are some instances where Sulbutiamine dosages can exacerbate these issues. It should also be noted that most of these side effects occur in those cases where higher than normal doses have been used.
If these or any additional side effects occur, you should discontinue use immediately. Other possible side effects include headaches, nausea, and skin rashes. Although there is not much evidence to indicate that this supplement can lead to dependence, tolerance can be built up rather quickly.
This occurs mostly in relation to the mood boosting and energizing effects (but some users have also seen a tolerance develop for the cognitive effects as well). You can use a Sulbutiamine dosing cycle to try and prevent a tolerance to this nootropic from forming.
Possible Sulbutiamine Stacks
Given this information, most people do not use Sulbutiamine in their daily nootropic stack but rather add it a couple of times a week for enhanced productivity and focus. Before adding it to a cyclical stack, be sure to try it alone first to make sure that you are used to the effects.
It goes well in stacks with most of the Racetams and especially with Aniracetam for stress relief effects. Sulbutiamine is also frequently combined with choline supplements (Alpha GPC, Citicoline or Centrophenoxine) and with caffeine. Another interesting and synergistic stack is Sulbutiamine with Pyritinol.
If you are interested in using Sulbutiamine with other natural nootropics, consider Huperzine A and Vinpocetine; these are regarded as two of the best herbal brain supplements. You can find these on their own or in other products like Brain Stack, Doxiderol, and Alpha Brain.
As with all nootropics, there are lots of different combinations that you can take Sulbutiamine powder in and experimentation is usually the best way to determine which one gives you your desired results.
- Shah SN; Sulbutiamine Study Group. Adjuvant role of vitamin B analogue (sulbutiamine) with anti-infective treatment in infection associated asthenia. J Assoc Physicians India. 2003
- Tiev KP, Cabane J, Imbert JC. [Treatment of chronic postinfectious fatigue: randomized double-blind study of two doses of sulbutiamine (400-600 mg/day) versus placebo]. Rev Med Interne. 1999
- Bettendorff L, Wins P, Lesourd M. Subcellular localization and compartmentation of thiamine derivatives in rat brain. Biochim Biophys Acta. 1994
- Sobolevsky T, Rodchenkov G. Sulbutiamine in sports. Drug Test Anal. 2010
- Levin OS, Slizkova IuB. [The use of enerion in the treatment of asthenic disorders in patients after mild cranio-cerebral trauma]. Zh Nevrol Psikhiatr Im S S Korsakova. 2007
Article last updated on: March 13th, 2018 by Nootriment