Phenibut is informally marketed as a nootropic, and something that can lift you out of symptoms like insomnia, anxiety, and alcohol withdrawal. But the problem is that overuse can lead to Phenibut withdrawal, creating problems of its own while solving others.
But it doesn’t have to be this way, as long as you are sensible. So let’s talk about what sort of dosage you should be using, how long for, and pitfalls to avoid when using Phenibut.
Plus we’ll talk about the symptoms of Phenibut withdrawal, how long they last, and some tips on how you can more quickly beat Phenibut withdrawal symptoms.
How Addictive Is Phenibut?
If used correctly, Phenibut isn’t actually that addictive. The problem comes with how it is used. It’s about the goal, and then the quantity being used to achieve that goal.
In the old Soviet Union countries, where it is still prescribed by doctors, it’s used for a variety of conditions, such as anxiety, depression, insomnia, PTSD, general pain, all sorts of things.
But doctors are prescribing around 500 mg per dose, to be taken 2-4 times a day. So the average daily dose is usually 2000 mg or less.
The problem comes when people are taking doses approaching 2000 mg (and even higher), to achieve feelings that Phenibut is not really designed for, namely intense euphoria (Phenibut high), happiness, and an intense nootropic focus.
Phenibut interacts with the GABA receptors in our brain, plus it also hits the dopamine receptors. Because these receptors help to lower anxiety and increase pleasure, long-term use of higher doses can lead to those receptors depending on Phenibut, which can certainly lead to addiction.
The other problem is that the increased dose can lead to tolerance. This is when the receptors need higher, and higher doses to get the same effects. Those effects will be felt as that rush of pleasure, calmness, and focus, but can become addictive.
This leads to a “chase” where the user is continually upping the dose to feel the same as they did when they first started using Phenibut (you can read more about dosage, in my Phenibut review post).
Symptoms Of Phenibut Withdrawal
Phenibut withdrawal symptoms can be relatively minor, or they can be overwhelming and severe.
Withdrawal symptoms are caused when the dependency of the receptors in the body kicks in, meaning when they stopped receiving Phenibut to stimulate them. There is then an adjustment period, where they slowly return to normal. This can be days, weeks, and in rare instances months.
The main Phenibut withdrawal symptoms are:
- Jitteriness and excessive physical energy
- Physical and emotional unrest
- Reduced appetite
- Depression
- Depersonalization
- Brain fog
- Fatigue
- Dizziness
- Muscle tightness and tension
- Irregular heartbeat or heart palpitations
- Tremors
You may also experience rebound symptoms. This is not common, but it is possible. Rebound symptoms happen where the original symptoms Phenibut was suppressing, now come back with a vengeance.
When Does Phenibut Withdrawal Start?
If it’s going to happen at all, then Phenibut withdrawal will start within about 24 hours and will get acute very quickly.
The higher the dose is you have been taking, and the more regular they have been, the more dependent you will be. This can lead to quite a vicious backlash of withdrawal symptoms.
Many people who been through it, do suggest that when they’ve been wondering when does Phenibut withdrawal start, they are shocked at how quickly it does kick in, so you must be prepared for things to start happening within 24 hours.
How Long Does Phenibut Withdrawal Last?
Unfortunately, there’s no standard answer to the question: how long does Phenibut withdrawal last?
There are several reasons why it’s difficult to predict how long Phenibut withdrawal lasts:
- The quality of the Phenibut
- The amount is taken
- The frequency of ingestion
- Your individual physiological make up
- Your physical and mental health
However, on a positive note, the evidence suggests that the major symptoms start to tail off after about a week. So you should be over the worst within seven days, and often earlier.
But, if you’ve been using Phenibut in combination with other chemicals, with kratom being a common one, because additional receptors, the opioid receptors, have also been hit, the withdrawal symptoms could be even more severe, and prolonged.
In rare cases, where dosage has been high and sustained, a condition called post-acute withdrawal symptoms (PAWS) is possible. This is where dependency is so great, that withdrawal lasts for a very long time, and can also trigger long-term psychological issues, such as anxiety or depression.
Advice On Beating Phenibut Withdrawal Symptoms
When it comes to trying to beat Phenibut withdrawal, you can help to minimize how long Phenibut withdrawal lasts, with a few strategies:
- Tapering is very important. Tapering is where you start lowering the dose, and then the frequency, of Phenibut. That way, you gently ease the dopamine and GABA receptors off the dependency. You can do this over a few weeks if you think you could have a dependency problem.
But if you are going to taper your doses and frequency, make sure you have a plan. Work out the timeline, and stick to it. That way you will be less likely to stray from what you want to achieve. Most clinics lower the dose on a weekly basis, with the aim of removing the dependency in 1-2 months.
- If you are using other substances, like kratom, don’t do it at the same time as you do Phenibut. It’s always best to deal with withdrawal symptoms and escape from one thing at a time.
- If you desperately need a nootropic hit, don’t dive back into Phenibut trying to get it. Instead, consider swapping it for something like modafinil.
- Be prepared for the withdrawal symptoms. Fatigue, headaches, depressive thoughts, plus other symptoms could catch you out and make you want to dive back into using Phenibut to relieve the symptoms of Phenibut withdrawal. Try to combat those symptoms by doing something positive, even if it’s as simple as going out for a walk.
