The Ultimate Guide to Phenibut Side Effects: Should You Be Worried?

This is an important one. In fact, it’s the most important one. Phenibut side effects are usually non-existent, but they can be dangerous, too. You need to do your research before consuming this nootropic.

That’s what we’re here for. To help guide you through the murky water of smart drugs and enhance your mind without any awful effects. See, the side effects of Phenibut vary widely. We’ll detail the full spectrum of side effects in this in-depth guide.

But keep in mind, side effects of Phenibut are always individual. You may experience one or two of the minor effects. Or you might not at all. You may experience Phenibut side effects not listed here. But this article is a good primer.

It’s not meant to scare you away from using Phenibut. But safety is always the most important thing. It would be grossly irresponsible to not take your guys safety into account. Phenibut is one heck of a nootropic, but you have to take it properly. It’s essential to staying safe.

When ingesting this article, take everything in. Read it several times if you must. Feel free to reply below with any questions. I’ve taken Phenibut more than just about anyone you’ll meet and there are a few reasons you can trust my judgment and experience when talking about Phenibut side effects:

  • I’ve put over 20 hours total into reading both first-hand Phenibut experiences and official clinical trial findings.
  • I’ve thoroughly experimented with Phenibut in every manner possible over a period of three years.


P.S: While you won’t find better information about the realities of Phenibut side effects online, it must be noted that this is not medical advice or legal advice. This is a blog. We are not doctors or lawyers. Always consult a medical professional before consuming any nootropic, including Phenibut. Please read our disclaimer, too.

P.P.S: Secondly, do NOT use Phenibut if you’ve had a history of substance abuse – while using any other drug or substance. I just want you guys to stay safe! This is the priority. If you think that might be you, it probably is.


What is Phenibut?

Before we dive head over heels into the side effects of Phenibut, let’s take a quick look at what this nootropic is and why it’s become so popular.

Currently, Phenibut is used as a smart drug or nootropic by people around the world. The smart drug has been shown to offer massive benefits and positive effects, which is why so many use the supplement. Many take Phenibut for:

  • Stress relief
  • Creativity booster
  • Anti-anxiety
  • Improved sleep quality
  • Better social interactions
  • …And so much more!

Phenibut was originally developed in the 1960s in Russia. The Russian astronauts would take Phenibut as an anti-stress supplement that wouldn’t have a negative effect on performance while in space (Source).

These days people don’t take Phenibut for space travel any longer. They take the nootropic for the cognitive and social benefits. Many CEOs, salesmen, students, and online hustlers use this smart drug to battle anxiety, improve their social skills, and enhance their creativity. The smart drug became popular for one reason…

Phenibut really works. Trust me! Learn more about the effects of Phenibut here.

Side Effects of Phenibut

Alright, let’s get into the heart of this guide and breakdown every side effect of Phenibut known to man and if you should be concerned. Here are a few common side effects and what you need to know to stay safe while taking Phenibut:

1. Feeling Sedated/Drowsy

This is a great place to start because it’s one of the more common side-effects of Phenibut. You won’t notice it unless you’re taking a significant amount. Don’t expect this unless you’re taking 750 mg or more. Lower amounts never gave me this feeling at all. Haven’t heard anything similar from others’ experience.

The sedative effects begin to intensify when using large amounts. This is similar to alcohol. Like alcohol, there is a real risk of overdosing.

There have been cases of patients hospitalized due to extreme sedation (Source).

So, sedation is a very real concern. From personal experience, minor drowsiness can appear at about 1000 mg. You don’t feel tired per say. It’s more due to a pronounced level of relaxation and warmness that washes over you.

Makes sense, it’s used to treat sleep issues in Russian patients (Source). So this warmness and relaxation can help someone get to sleep. That’s not great when you want to be active during the day or at night. But there are ways to prevent this…

Offsetting drowsiness caused by this smart drug is simple. There are three main ways to offset any negative sedative effects of Phenibut. They include:

  • Intense music
  • Caffeine
  • Socializing

You feel the most sedated or drowsy when you’re not doing/taking one of those three.
This means the drowsiness will be the worst when you’re doing solitary activities or not actively doing something social.

It’s barely noticeable when you’re socializing. You’re locked into whoever you’re talking to.
Powerful, loud music charges you right up. Combine with coffee and feel like a raging bull, which is why using it in the gym is an underrated usage.

So you’re most at risk for this while when chilling without music, friends or something to occupy. I’ve never felt this while writing.  I’ve also never used 1000 mg or more while writing. You likely will feel it at this amount, especially when taking high-quality Phenibut powder.

2. Sleep Issues

This is a side-effect of Phenibut I experienced occasionally, and it’s a bit unclear how exactly it happens. I would occasionally experience middle of the night restlessness when using Phenibut. This means I would wake up after 4-5 hours or sleep, and be a bit restless. I think this is due to a couple things:

  • Phenibut does increase the quality of sleep overall. You feel better on less sleep.
  • Phenibut increases creativity and socially fluidity.

The first may apply to most who use Phenibut. I’ve heard many stories of party-goers waking up after 5 or 6 hours feeling like they got 8 + hours.

I’ve somewhat experienced the same. Heck, I’ve even woken up after 6 hours and started my day. I felt surprisingly good those days and operated near normal capacity. If anything, I felt a little better than normal.

The second issue can manifest into insomnia or restlessness for those of a certain personality type. I’ve always had racing thoughts off and on throughout my life. I’ve also experienced middle insomnia while being completely sober. But the problem has been slightly worse a few different nights after Phenibut usage.

Not every night after Phenibut though, only a select few. Weird stuff…

You may experience the same if you also struggle with a mind that doesn’t know when to shut up.
Something to keep in mind if you get restless easily. One other side effect you may experience are extremely lucid dreams.

I’ve gotten this a few times. The dreams themselves are usually cool because of how vivid and realistic they are. I’ve never had outright lucid dreams, but I could imagine some experiencing this. Mostly a cool side effect.

3. Sexual Side Effects

Not to be vulgar, but this needs to be said. Here’s the deal. Sex on Phenibut is great. Your auditory, tactile and visual senses are heightened. Had to be said before anybody panics. Every sexual encounter I’ve had on Phenibut has been extremely pleasurable. The caressing, touching, and sensations are all much more intense.

If you like to get nasty with music, the music intensifies everything. The entire experience is enhanced. Phenibut also increases libido and feelings of lust overall. The anticipation for the buildup to the bedroom is out of this world.

It’s supposedly an even crazier aphrodisiac for women. Wouldn’t know for sure, as I’ve not been with a girl using Phenibut when getting intimate. It’s thus, like Alcohol and weed, so I’ve heard, for this libido-boosting property.

You’re probably frustrated wondering what’s the problem then? Sounds great right? Well, there’s one little thing. It’s hard to…. ahem finish. Take a second to let that sink in. Basically, orgasms are delayed. I’m not sure if this is true for women. But I have the credibility to speak as a man who’s been in the act many times while using Phenibut.

It’s difficult to finish. You’ll get close, but have a hard time going over the edge. You have to try to, and then it’s difficult. This is at least true for larger amounts, around 750-1500 mg. Don’t do more than 1000 mg at a time, and it’ll be manageable.

There’s one big upside though. If you have problems with premature ejaculation, this could be a Godsend. Plus, it’s also fun to go to town without worrying about getting too excited. Or so I’ve heard.

4. Nausea and Stomach Pain

If you search out there in the interwebz, you’ll see quite a few stories of people vomiting or experiencing nausea. I’ve become nauseous from Phenibut usage one time. It was the same time I used far too much in one sitting.

It was about 1750-2000 mg. It was hard to tell. I wasn’t measuring that closely. That was stupid of me to do it recklessly. Please don’t do that. You’ll experience what I did, and it’ll feel like drinking too much. You’ll feel sedated and loopy. You won’t feel as bad physically as you might when binge drinking.

But it’ll be far from pleasant, and you may get nauseous. Some have vomited from taking more than 2,000 mg in one day. Don’t do that unless you already have some experience with it. I still don’t recommend it though. You don’t want to feel like a nauseous or loopy mess. Might as well drink if that’s what you’re going for.

5. Acute Toxicity

This is something I take to heart. Most of us know people who have nearly died from alcohol poisoning. Part of Phenibut’s charm is that it feels like you get alcohol’s best effects without its worst.

That’s somewhat true. You don’t have to worry about splitting hangovers, or overall loss of control associated with alcohol. Phenibut isn’t foolproof, however. There have been cases of hospitalization due to Phenibut. There isn’t a lot of clear information about one-time usage. But there’s still evidence that one-time acute poisoning is a real possibility (Source).

Another study (Source) mentioned the excessive amount, 3000 mg daily, a man was taking. It also mentioned the possibility of complications with other medication. Be extra careful if you use other powerful medications.

Consult a medical professional first if you have any doubts at all. I’m not a medical professional and don’t claim to be. Always see one first in any case. This goes double if you take any other type of medication regularly.

Better safe than sorry. And as always, do NOT try Phenibut if you have any history of substance abuse what so ever. It’s not worth the risk. Any doubt in your mind and you should steer clear of this nootropic. The risk is too high.


The Ultimate Guide to Phenibut Side-Effects

It’s difficult to put together an article that properly covers all possible side effects of Phenibut. It’s a drug that has wide-reaching side-effects. The good news is they’re fairly avoidable if you know what you’re doing.

Phenibut is a God-send for some. Others don’t get a ton out of it. Same with side effects. Some experience Phenibut side effects, while others do not.  These are the primary ones I’ve experienced or seen in literature.

Overall, this guide should give you a good idea of what to be cautious of when using Phenibut. It’s an amazing compound when used responsibly. You just have to remember to keep potential side effects in mind.

Take the tips in this article, and you’ll be well on your way to getting the most out of Phenibut. That’s all fam. Leave a reply down below with any comments, questions, or concerns! We’ll make sure to get back to you.

P.S: If you’re looking to buy Phenibut online, here’s where I get it:

Smart Drugs For Students

About the Author

Smart Drugs For Students

I created Smart Drugs For Students after finding nootropics at the start of my junior year at university. I was a lousy student. But with a little help from smart drugs, I went from dud to stud. Soon, I was acing mid-terms and getting offered paid internships. All because of nootropics. Whether you're a student or just someone looking to improve their life and make more money, smart drugs can help you do just that. That's why I created this site. To show other show to safely and properly benefit from smart drugs.