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Phenibut: Difference between revisions
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[[Subjective effects]] include [[anxiety suppression]], [[sedation]], [[muscle relaxation]], [[motivation enhancement|enhanced motivation]], and [[euphoria]]. Lower doses (under 1 gram) are typically used as a cognitive and lifestyle supplement while higher doses are used for a recreational high that is reported to be subjectively similar to [[GHB]], [[alcohol]], and certain [[benzodiazepines]]. | [[Subjective effects]] include [[anxiety suppression]], [[sedation]], [[muscle relaxation]], [[motivation enhancement|enhanced motivation]], and [[euphoria]]. Lower doses (under 1 gram) are typically used as a cognitive and lifestyle supplement while higher doses are used for a recreational high that is reported to be subjectively similar to [[GHB]], [[alcohol]], and certain [[benzodiazepines]]. | ||
Although phenibut is commonly marketed as a [[nootropic]] by retailers, evidence that it enhances cognition is limited. It is generally accepted that phenibut has anxiolytic effects in both animal and in humans.<ref name="one"/> Due to its habit-forming properties, it is highly advised to use [[harm reduction practices]] if using this substance. | Although phenibut is commonly marketed as a [[nootropic]] by retailers, evidence that it enhances cognition is limited. It is generally accepted that phenibut has anxiolytic effects in both animal and in humans.<ref name="one" /> Due to its habit-forming properties, it is highly advised to use [[harm reduction practices]] if using this substance. | ||
==Chemistry== | ==Chemistry== | ||
Phenibut is a derivative of GABA with a phenyl group in the β-position. The addition of a phenyl ring to the GABA molecule allows it to cross the blood-brain barrier and produce psychoactive effects.<ref name="one"/> Phenibut has a near-identical structure as baclofen, lacking only a chlorine atom in the para-position of the phenyl group<ref>{{cite journal | vauthors=((Shulgina, G. I.)) | journal=The Pavlovian Journal of Biological Science | title=On neurotransmitter mechanisms of reinforcement and internal inhibition | volume=21 | issue=4 | pages=129–140 | date= October 1986 | url=https://link.springer.com/10.1007/BF02734511 | issn=0093-2213 | doi=10.1007/BF02734511}}</ref> and contains phenethylamine in its structure.<ref>{{cite journal | vauthors=((Lapin, I.)) | journal=CNS drug reviews | title=Phenibut (beta-phenyl-GABA): a tranquilizer and nootropic drug | volume=7 | issue=4 | pages=471–481 | date= 2001 | issn=1080-563X | doi=10.1111/j.1527-3458.2001.tb00211.x}}</ref> [[Pregabalin]] also has a near-identical structure as phenibut, except it has an isobutyl group instead of a phenyl group. | Phenibut is a derivative of GABA with a phenyl group in the β-position. The addition of a phenyl ring to the GABA molecule allows it to cross the blood-brain barrier and produce psychoactive effects.<ref name="one" /> Phenibut has a near-identical structure as baclofen, lacking only a chlorine atom in the para-position of the phenyl group<ref>{{cite journal | vauthors=((Shulgina, G. I.)) | journal=The Pavlovian Journal of Biological Science | title=On neurotransmitter mechanisms of reinforcement and internal inhibition | volume=21 | issue=4 | pages=129–140 | date= October 1986 | url=https://link.springer.com/10.1007/BF02734511 | issn=0093-2213 | doi=10.1007/BF02734511}}</ref> and contains phenethylamine in its structure.<ref>{{cite journal | vauthors=((Lapin, I.)) | journal=CNS drug reviews | title=Phenibut (beta-phenyl-GABA): a tranquilizer and nootropic drug | volume=7 | issue=4 | pages=471–481 | date= 2001 | issn=1080-563X | doi=10.1111/j.1527-3458.2001.tb00211.x}}</ref> [[Pregabalin]] also has a near-identical structure as phenibut, except it has an isobutyl group instead of a phenyl group. | ||
Phenibut is a chiral molecule and thus has two potential configurations, as (R)- and (S)-enantiomers.<ref>{{cite journal | vauthors=((Dambrova, M.)), ((Zvejniece, L.)), ((Liepinsh, E.)), ((Cirule, H.)), ((Zharkova, O.)), ((Veinberg, G.)), ((Kalvinsh, I.)) | journal=European Journal of Pharmacology | title=Comparative pharmacological activity of optical isomers of phenibut | volume=583 | issue=1 | pages=128–134 | date= March 2008 | url=https://linkinghub.elsevier.com/retrieve/pii/S001429990800068X | issn=00142999 | doi=10.1016/j.ejphar.2008.01.015}}</ref> | Phenibut is a chiral molecule and thus has two potential configurations, as (R)- and (S)-enantiomers.<ref>{{cite journal | vauthors=((Dambrova, M.)), ((Zvejniece, L.)), ((Liepinsh, E.)), ((Cirule, H.)), ((Zharkova, O.)), ((Veinberg, G.)), ((Kalvinsh, I.)) | journal=European Journal of Pharmacology | title=Comparative pharmacological activity of optical isomers of phenibut | volume=583 | issue=1 | pages=128–134 | date= March 2008 | url=https://linkinghub.elsevier.com/retrieve/pii/S001429990800068X | issn=00142999 | doi=10.1016/j.ejphar.2008.01.015}}</ref> | ||
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Tolerance will develop to the sedative-hypnotic effects [[Time to full tolerance::within a couple of days of continuous use]]. | Tolerance will develop to the sedative-hypnotic effects [[Time to full tolerance::within a couple of days of continuous use]]. | ||
After cessation, the tolerance returns to baseline in [[Time to zero tolerance::7 - 14 days]]. | After cessation, the tolerance returns to baseline in [[Time to zero tolerance::7 - 14 days]]. | ||
Withdrawal symptoms or rebound symptoms may occur after ceasing usage abruptly following a few weeks or longer of steady dosing and may necessitate a gradual dose reduction. Withdrawal symptoms include severe [[anxiety]], nervousness, hallucinations, tremors, agitation, [[dizziness]], tension, irritation, [[increased heart rate|rapid heartbeat]], [[physical fatigue|fatigue]], [[appetite suppression|loss of appetite]], [[nausea]], vomiting, [[psychosis]], and [[insomnia]].<ref name="three"/> | Withdrawal symptoms or rebound symptoms may occur after ceasing usage abruptly following a few weeks or longer of steady dosing and may necessitate a gradual dose reduction. Withdrawal symptoms include severe [[anxiety]], nervousness, hallucinations, tremors, agitation, [[dizziness]], tension, irritation, [[increased heart rate|rapid heartbeat]], [[physical fatigue|fatigue]], [[appetite suppression|loss of appetite]], [[nausea]], vomiting, [[psychosis]], and [[insomnia]].<ref name="three" /> | ||
Phenibut produces cross-tolerance with [[Cross-tolerance::all [[GABA]]genic depressants]], meaning that after its consumption, depressants will have a reduced effect. | Phenibut produces cross-tolerance with [[Cross-tolerance::all [[GABA]]genic depressants]], meaning that after its consumption, depressants will have a reduced effect. | ||
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==Legal status== | ==Legal status== | ||
*'''Australia | *'''Australia''': Phenibut is a schedule 9 substance in Australia as of February 1st 2018, meaning it is illegal to possess, import, supply or manufacture.{{citation needed}} | ||
*'''Canada | *'''Canada''': Phenibut is not a controlled substance in Canada, meaning it is legal to possess without any sort of license or prescription. {{citation needed}} | ||
*'''Germany | *'''Germany''': Phenibut may be controlled under the NpSG (''New Psychoactive Substances Act'')<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.gesetze-im-internet.de/npsg/anlage.html|title=Anlage NpSG|publisher=Bundesministerium der Justiz und für Verbraucherschutz|access-date=December 10, 2019|language=de}}</ref> as of July 18, 2019. <ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.bgbl.de/xaver/bgbl/start.xav?startbk=Bundesanzeiger_BGBl&jumpTo=bgbl119s1083.pdf|title=Verordnung zur Änderung der Anlage des Neue-psychoaktive-Stoffe-Gesetzes und von Anlagen des Betäubungsmittelgesetzes|publisher=Bundesanzeiger Verlag|access-date=December 28, 2019|work=Bundesgesetzblatt Jahrgang 2019 Teil I|publication-date=July 17, 2019|language=de}}</ref> If this law applies to Phenibut remains unclear.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.gesetze-im-internet.de/npsg/__4.html|title=§ 4 NpSG|publisher=Bundesministerium der Justiz und für Verbraucherschutz|access-date=December 10, 2019|language=de}}</ref><ref>[https://www.ift.de/fileadmin/user_upload/Literatur/Berichte/Kraus_et_al_2020_NpSG-Abschlussbericht.pdf ''Evaluation der Auswirkungen des Neue-psychoaktive-Stoffe-Gesetzes (NpSG): Abschlussbericht.'']</ref> | ||
*'''Italy''': Phenibut is a Schedule 1 controlled substance.<ref>[http://www.salute.gov.it/imgs/C_17_pagineAree_3729_0_file.pdf Tabella 1](PDF) (in Italian). Ministero della Salute [Ministry of Health]. p.19. Retrieved November 24, 2020.</ref> | |||
*'''Latvia''': Phenibut is an unscheduled prescription drug, marketed as "Noofen".<ref>https://dati.zva.gov.lv/zalu-registrs/?iss=1&q=Phenibutum Database of licensed phenibut medicines and their legal status under the State Agency of Medicines of the Republic of Latvia. ''Retrieved August 26, 2023.''</ref><ref>https://likumi.lv/ta/en/en/id/50539 Active Latvian law regarding scheduled and banned substances. ''Retrieved August 26, 2023.''</ref> | |||
*'''Switzerland''': Phenibut is not controlled under Buchstabe A, B, C and D. It could be considered legal.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.admin.ch/opc/de/classified-compilation/20101220/index.html|title=Verordnung des EDI über die Verzeichnisse der Betäubungsmittel, psychotropen Stoffe, Vorläuferstoffe und Hilfschemikalien|publisher=Bundeskanzlei [Federal Chancellery of Switzerland]|access-date=January 1, 2020|language=de}}</ref> | *'''Switzerland''': Phenibut is not controlled under Buchstabe A, B, C and D. It could be considered legal.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.admin.ch/opc/de/classified-compilation/20101220/index.html|title=Verordnung des EDI über die Verzeichnisse der Betäubungsmittel, psychotropen Stoffe, Vorläuferstoffe und Hilfschemikalien|publisher=Bundeskanzlei [Federal Chancellery of Switzerland]|access-date=January 1, 2020|language=de}}</ref> | ||
*'''United Kingdom | *'''United Kingdom''': Phenibut is not a controlled substance in the United Kingdom. It'' may'' be illegal to produce, supply, or import this drug under the Psychoactive Substance Act 2016, which applies a blanket restriction on all "psychoactive substances" with exemptions for alcohol, nicotine and "medicinal products".<ref>{{Citation | title=Psychoactive Substances Act 2016 | url=https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2016/2/contents/enacted}}</ref> | ||
*'''United States | *'''United States''': Phenibut is not a controlled substance in the United States, meaning it is federally legal to possess without any sort of license or prescription.<ref name="eleven">{{Citation | title=Erowid Phenibut Vault: Legal Status | url=https://erowid.org/smarts/phenibut/phenibut_law.shtml}}</ref>Phenibut is a Schedule II controlled substance in Alabama as of November 21st, 2021.<ref>Alabama List of Controlled Substances<nowiki/>https://www.alabamapublichealth.gov/blog/assets/controlledsubstanceslist.pdf</ref> | ||
==See also== | ==See also== | ||