Navigating Phenibut Withdrawal and Addiction

Do you know someone struggling with phenibut abuse? It’s one of the many gas station drugs (including tianeptine, delta-8 THC, and kratom) making harmful waves across the US. Although it’s sometimes marketed as a harmless supplement for anxiety or stress, phenibut is anything but. In reality, taking this unregulated substance can lead to debilitating consequences, including phenibut withdrawal and addiction. 

Understanding Phenibut

Phenibut was synthetically created in the former Soviet Union in the 1960s to help treat anxiety among Russian cosmonauts so they could stay calm in space. Today, it’s still used in Russia for anxiety, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and stuttering. In the US, phenibut is an unregulated substance marketed for its ability to relieve stress or enhance your cognitive abilities, according to the University of Virginia. Consequently, the drug can get labeled as a dietary or nutritional supplement and is sold primarily online, as well as at convenience stores or smoke shops. 

To maintain that label, products containing phenibut are often advertised with misleading claims, according to Basic & Clinical Pharmacology & Toxicology, such as:

• “Supports a balanced mood”
• “Promotes relaxation, focus, and positivity”
• “Reduces irritability and restlessness”
• “Enhances memory and learning”
• “Boosts libido”

Teenagers and young people are especially vulnerable to deceptive marketing claims. Online retailers can use aggressive marketing tactics toward younger crowds that tout the drug as:

• “An excellent product for learners”
• “Providing relief of social anxiety”
• Helpful for “first dates”

It’s no wonder that people of various ages may choose to purchase and take phenibut when they read the above. Someone innocently may presume it’s a new miracle drug. Unfortunately, however, phenibut’s true effects (phenibut withdrawal symptoms and addiction, among others) don’t become understood until after the consequences ensue. 

Phenibut Behind the Scenes

Chemically, phenibut is a gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) mimetic, shares Kansas City University. That means it stimulates GABA receptors in the brain, which are neurotransmitters that slow brain activity, creating a feeling of calm. Ensuing relaxation or euphoria may occur as well, especially at higher doses. Because of these effects, some people use phenibut as a substitute for benzodiazepines or to self-manage withdrawal from alcohol or opioids. 

Concerns about phenibut have grown in recent years as the drug has grown in popularity. In 2023, the FDA determined that phenibut does not qualify as a dietary ingredient and should not be marketed as one. Reports to poison control centers have also increased significantly, with more than 1,300 exposure cases recorded over a decade. Side effects can range from moderate to life-threatening and may include seizures, rapid heart rate, irritability, and delirium, according to the Government of Utah. 

The Reality of Phenibut Withdrawal, Abuse, and Addiction

One of the most serious risks of phenibut is its dangers for causing abuse that turns into addiction. Over time, your body can build a tolerance to phenibut, meaning larger and more frequent doses are needed to achieve the effects you’ve grown accustomed to when you initially took the drug. This pattern can quickly lead to addiction as the brain becomes reliant on phenibut to function. As phenibut addiction takes effect, your symptoms may include:

• Taking phenibut for longer durations than you planned (and in greater doses)
• Using phenibut as as a coping mechanism for negative emotions or stress
• Experiencing strong cravings for phenibut
• Experiencing phenibut withdrawal symptoms when you stop using the drug
• Continuing phenibut use even as it causes negative consequences
• Prioritizing phenibut use over responsibilities at home, work, or school
• Requiring more phenibut to get the same effects 

 

Once dependence develops, it’s difficult to get off the drug. Trying to quit or reduce your dose can trigger phenibut withdrawal symptoms. Your phenibut withdrawal timeline may even start in a few hours after your most recent dose. Phenibut withdrawal can unfortunately persist for multiple weeks (especially if you’ve been using the drug for a long time). Research shows that many phenibut withdrawal cases require medical intervention, making recovery all the more difficult. 

Common Phenibut Withdrawal Symptoms

With that said, what does phenibut withdrawal look like? When withdrawal happens, your body adapted to the constant presence of phenibut and must readjust once it’s gone. This process can be both physically and psychologically intense, making it risky to quit without medical supervision. Typical phenibut withdrawal symptoms can include:

• Tremors
• Anxiety
• Insomnia
• Delirium
• Psychomotor agitation (such as pacing or restlessness)
• Visual or auditory hallucinations
• Heart palpitations
• Nausea and vomiting
• Difficulty concentrating
• Dizziness
• Depression
• Fatigue
• Loss of appetite
• Depersonalization (feeling detached, like you’re not yourself)
• Strong cravings

 

During phenibut withdrawal, your risk of overdose also increases. After all, it’s tempting to return to phenibut to relieve your symptoms. However, you may take more than your body can tolerate in the midst of withdrawal. This can result in extreme sedation, confusion, slurred speech, or even loss of consciousness as you overdose. 

Treatment for Drug Addiction in Nashville

Though phenibut may be a drug that feels easy to acquire, it doesn’t mean it’s healthy or safe to consume. If you or someone you know may be dependent on phenibut, seeking professional addiction treatment is an important step before any usage leads to further negative consequences.

At Integrative Life Center in Nashville, Tennessee, we can help you navigate phenibut withdrawal and addiction safely and effectively. Our comprehensive drug addiction treatment programs address your addiction’s root causes, healing your mind, body, and spirit in the process. By partnering with us, you’re empowered to achieve lasting recovery and maintain your long-term health without substances. To start your sobriety journey, call us today.

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