Houston, we have chill pills.
Back in the 1960s, Soviet scientists created a rather interesting supplement that found its way into the astronaut gear.
Still available over-the-counter in Russia today, this supplement claims to help with anxiety, insomnia, manage alcohol withdrawal, PTSD, and even enhance clear thinking. Quite the multitasker, right?
However, experts caution that while the supplement can provide a calming effect, it also has a darker side. Recently categorized in Utah as a “most dangerous drug with no accepted medical use,” it’s making waves.
This supplement, known as Phenibut, works by mimicking GABA, a neurotransmitter that helps regulate brain activity.
A writer named Delynn Willis turned to Phenibut, which is marketed under names like Anvifen, Fenibut, and Noofen, to avoid the addictive nature of benzodiazepines. But a friend reassured her that it was a safe choice, without the risk of dependence associated with Russian drugs.
But things didn’t go as smoothly as she hoped. After a few weeks, she noticed she needed to increase her dosage to achieve the same calming effects.
When she tried to cut back, she faced intense withdrawal symptoms. “My anxiety shot up, and I felt things like vertigo,” she shared.
Edward Juney, a psychiatrist at the University of Michigan, noted the serious psychoactive effects of the drug and mentioned the potential for addiction.
While it might serve as a potential treatment for anxiety, that should only happen under strict medical supervision.
In lower doses, it may be relatively safe, but side effects can include nausea, vomiting, insomnia, depression, and even hallucinations. It’s important to tread carefully.
Though it remains legal in many parts of the U.S. and sells online for around $50, buying it this way can be risky.
Telehealth services don’t have the same oversight as medical practitioners, especially since the drug is not sanctioned by the FDA.
Since 2015, poison control centers have seen an influx of calls related to Phenibut, with reports ranging from agitation to severe complications like coma.
The FDA issued warnings back in 2019 to several U.S. companies regarding the marketing of Phenibut as a “nutritional supplement.”
Alabama declared it a Schedule II controlled substance in 2021, effectively banning it, and as of May, Utah has done the same.
While low doses might seem manageable, the danger of dependence is real—and the consequences can be severe.
“The reported adverse events surrounding Phenibut just scrape the surface of an inadequately regulated online drug market,” noted pharmacologists Janet Cheung and Jonathan Penm. They argue that the risks far outweigh any benefits, especially for people trying to get an edge in a competitive environment.
