Review of phenibut vendors and best natural alternatives.
If you have been doing some research about over-the-counter relaxation and sleep aids, you may have seen the name GABA pop up frequently as a potential helpful supplement. This is an amino acid that is believed to promote relaxation and calmness, although clinical evidence is lacking and anecdotal evidence varies.
Phenibut is a synthetic analog of GABA that has a stronger effect, but unlike GABA, phenibut isn?t widely available at stores that sell traditional nutritional supplements. It is a lesser-known compound that only a handful of online vendors carry.
If you search for it on Amazon, you will get many results of various similar supplements, but none of them is actually phenibut. Well, don?t bother! Amazon no longer allows the sale of this product and a whole bunch of other synthetic supplements.
Amazon and GNC may be convenient places where you can buy any herbal or natural supplement, but phenibut is just the opposite of that! It is a synthetic compound that is not exactly a typical dietary supplement according to the FDA?s definition.
So, where do people buy phenibut from? Well, this is a question I have asked many times before and I have spent a good amount of time studying and digging about different online stores that sell this stuff. In summary, the following five vendors are as reliable and legit as they get:
1. Nootropics Depot
This is the go-to vendor where you can find most nootropic supplements in powder and capsule forms. They have outstanding quality control and purity testing for both of their synthetic and natural lines of products. They process orders quickly and they ship worldwide (with exceptions for some products).
Tip: If you subscribe to the free Nootropics Depot?s newsletter via this link, you will receive a one-time use coupon code that offers a 10% discount on your first order.
2. HR Supplements (Hard Rhino)
HR Supplements, previously Hard Rhino, offers a variety of nutritional supplements with competitive prices and fine quality. They are known as a supplier of bulk sports and bodybuilding products, and they also carry several nootropics under their ?Cognitive Compounds? line. They have both HCl and FAA versions.
3. LiftMode
LiftMode is one of the oldest retailers of phenibut and many natural and herbal nootropics. They offer various forms of phenibut including HCl and FAA in different powder and capsule quantities. Their products are of good quality and the prices are reasonable. They also provide excellent and quick customer support.
Tip: You can use the coupon code MH10 to receive a 10% discount on LiftMode?s official website.
4. SportPoeders
Based in The Netherlands, this shop specializes in the sale of sports supplements, nootropics and other nutritional products. They are among the few trustworthy EU vendors that sell phenibut powder.
5. Raw Powders
A European retailer based in Lithuania. They offer phenibut powder as well as non-vegan capsules for sale at quite high prices, but they can deliver faster to the UK and European countries, which is where most of their customers come from.
Seven Natural Alternatives
Because of the lack of clinical studies on its long-term effects, efficacy and safety, phenibut may not be a suitable choice for an everyday supplement.
If you are looking for a 100% natural supplement you can safely take on a daily basis, there are many more common natural and herbal substances to consider. The following are seven of the best, evidence-based natural remedies for restlessness, stress and sleeplessness.
Note: I?ve included some reference links to supporting studies ? you are free to do further research on these.
Kava Kava
Kava kava is an herb native to the Pacific Islands where it is used to prepare a sedative and euphoric drink. In herbal medicine, kava root extract is used to relieve anxiety and pain and to induce sleep.
Studies noted a significant anxiolytic effect of kava extract, which was attributed to its modulation of GABA receptors. [ref.][ref.][ref.]
There aren?t any major side effects associated with kava, however, some reports raised concerns about liver toxicity that was linked to consumption of this herb. Although no conclusive evidence has been found to link kava consumption with liver damage, people with liver problems should avoid taking it. Kava is generally considered safe for short-term use.
Check out Kava Kava extract by NOW Foods if you?re interested in trying this herb out.
Magnolia Bark Extract
Magnolol and honokiol are two bioactive, organic compounds found in the bark of the magnolia tree. These compounds have been shown to act on GABA(A) receptors and have a mild anxiolytic effect without significant adverse effects. [ref.][ref.]
Check out magnolia bark extract by LiftMode.
Magnesium Glycinate
This is an amino acid chelate that consists of magnesium and glycine. Magnesium deficiency has been linked to anxiety and sleep problems, so supplementation may be helpful.
Glycine is an amino acid that functions as an inhibitory neurotransmitter in the central nervous system. Studies show that taking glycine before bedtime can improve sleep quality and reduce daytime fatigue in people suffering from sleep problems. [ref.]
Lemon Balm
Lemon balm is an herb in the mint family. The tea, essential oil and extracts of the herb have several medicinal uses. It is a popular sleep aid and natural remedy for anxiety and stress.
Studies have concluded positive results regarding the sedative, anti-anxiety and antidepressant effects of lemon balm. [ref.][ref.]
L-Theanine
L-theanine is an amino acid that is found in some plants, most prominently green tea. It has brain-calming, stress and anxiety-reducing, and sleep-promoting effects. [ref.][ref.]
GABA
Gamma-aminobutyric acid, or GABA, is the natural equivalent for phenibut. GABA is often sold as a dietary supplement to help with anxiety, insomnia and stress.
GABA as a dietary supplement, however, does not cross the blood-brain barrier and so does not have the same potent anxiolytic effect as that of synthetic GABA analogues.
Despite the lack of clinical evidence, many consumers reported experiencing reduction in anxiety and improved sleep when supplementing with GABA.
A 2019 study found that a combination of GABA and L-theanine was synergistically more effective in improving sleep quality than either compound alone. [ref.]
Oleamide
Oleamide is an organic compound derived from oleic acid: an omega-9 fatty acid found in olive oil and other fat-rich foods.
Studies found that this compound affects several neurotransmitter systems and has potential sleep-inducing activity. [ref.][ref.][ref.]
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