Phenibut Side Effects

August 23, 2023

Perhaps you’re looking for an alternative way to manage your anxiety or insomnia, and maybe someone told you about Phenibut and how its benefits can provide some much-needed aid to your struggles. You realized you can buy Phenibut online, but you’re still not very familiar with the drug. CosmicNootropic has the insights and research you need to feel confident about your decision.

What Is Phenibut?

Phenibut is a nootropic compound of the gabapentinoid class that acts as a receptor that binds GABA. GABA, or y-Aminobutyric acid, is a neurotransmitter that reduces excitability. 

What does this mean? Essentially, Phenibut is a class of drug that operates similarly to anti-anxiety medications. If you’ve taken Gabapentin before, a popular anti-anxiety medication, Phenibut shares the same category. In low doses, it simply tells your central nervous system to relax. In higher doses, it can have a stimulating effect that improves focus and concentration.

What Are the Side Effects?

Nothing we ingest is without side effects. Phenibut is generally well-tolerated, but it’s important to take the correct dosage. Your recommended dosage will depend on your age and size, as that impacts how Phenibut metabolizes in your body. How long it takes for Phenibut to work in your system is reliant on your unique variables (age, weight, height, among other factors). 

According to a study published in the National Library of Medicine, it is recommended to start with the lowest possible dose to determine how Phenibut affects you. Never take more than the recommended dosages prescribed by a licensed clinician or healthcare provider, nor should you increase your dose without consulting a healthcare professional. When users take too high of a dose or increase their frequency without professional consultation, side effects are reported to be more noticeable.

Overall, most users don’t report noticing side effects when they take the appropriate amount. Common side effects experienced are:

• Sedation (extreme fatigue, difficulty or inability to move)
• Somnolence (drowsiness, sleepiness)
• Nausea
• Agitation
• Dizziness
• Anxiety
• Headache

When consumed in high doses, users have reported motor incoordination, loss of balance, seizures, increased heart rate, mood swings, and comas. 

Phenibut HCl Versus FAA Side Effects

There are currently two types of Phenibut available on the market: Phenibut HCl and Phenibut FAA. The difference of Phenibut HCl versus FAA is in how the doses are administered.

Phenibut HCl is a zwitterionic HCl salt, meaning it is produced in a form that resembles salt crystals. It’s the most common on the market because it is easier to produce and user-friendly: simply pour your dose into a glass of water or juice, or swallow a capsule. Within two hours, you may start feeling the effects of Phenibut in your system (ideally, the positive ones)! The side effects should be the same as the ones listed above.

Phenibut FAA is another form of Phenibut that is a free amino acid (hence, the ‘FAA’). It’s designed specifically for sublingual administration (dissolving under the tongue to enter the bloodstream), and due to its nature, it can’t dissolve in liquid easily or be as effective in capsule form. 

Users in a 2020 study conducted by Edward Jouney, D.O. reported feeling the effects of the drug in as little as thirty minutes. The side effects for Phenibut FAA are the same as the HCl version, except the majority of users report that the powder form of FAA leaves behind a very bitter taste in the mouth. 

Can You Take Phenibut With Alcohol?

While there is evidence to show Phenibut can alleviate symptoms of alcohol withdrawal, it is not recommended to take with alcohol. This combination puts a considerable strain on the body’s nervous system, and can lead to respiratory depression (when the lungs do not exchange the gasses oxygen and carbon dioxide, resulting in apnea, vomiting, seizures, and more). This combination can be fatal depending on the individual, the dose taken, and the amount of alcohol consumed.

Other possible effects of taking Phenibut with alcohol include:

• Organ damage
• Loss of consciousness
• Overdose
• Death

In Closing

Phenibut can be a helpful drug to support symptoms of anxiety, insomnia, alcohol withdrawals, and more. However, there is evidence that Phenibut abuse is dangerous and can lead to long-term health complications as a result of mixing with alcohol or overdosing.

By consulting with a licensed clinician or healthcare professional, you can find the correct dosage for yourself and ideally minimize your experience with the common side effects of Phenibut. It is not recommended to operate heavy machinery while taking Phenibut, and pregnant or nursing individuals are not advised to use Phenibut. 

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This product has not been approved by the US FDA. All statements on this page are for informational purposes only and have not been evaluated by the US FDA.This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. See more