Comment · Fri, February 14, 2014 · Ceretropic
Addicted to Phenibut
Original post in this thread
DrMantisMD · 18 points
I've been struggling with phenibut addiction for some time now. I started taking it a couple years ago recreationally at 2g doses when I went out with friends. It was a lot of fun and helped me open up around others. I slowly started taking more throughout the week disregarding the 'horror stories' I had read because I never felt much of a hangover or any withdrawal when I stopped. I wish I hadn't been so stupid.
I since then have been taking it almost every day for a couple years. I quit a couple times when I ran out and the withdrawal has been getting progressively worse. At the height of my addiction I wasn't really measuring doses but roughly took about 12 or more grams. I would nod out while working and luckily never had any accidents.
For a while I thought I had it under control, only taking 2g a day, but again I started taking more and I'm at 6g/day and really wanna get off it. I'm currently going to school and don't want to quit cold turkey because I still need to get things done and need sleep. That is probably my biggest issue. Could anybody give me some tips on quitting?
What they were answering
DrMantisMD · 1 points
What exactly does L-Theanine do?
Also last night I took a lot less before bed along with .5mg of xanax. I was able to sleep for a while but had the most intense messed up dreams i've had in a while. i can still remember everything that happened, which is pretty unusual. I woke up super early and couldnt fall back asleep, generally felt pretty uncomfortable so i took a little more and slept another 5 hours.
I've measured out my doses for the next week or so, slowly going down 500mg every day or two. Do you think that's too quick? Anyways I appreciate all of your help I actually feel like I'm getting somewhere and not totally powerless against the stuff. I'll keep you posted on how its going.
u/MisterYouAreSoDumb · Ceretropic
Since you are dependent on a GABAnergic, your GABA tranaminase enzyme is most likely up-regulated. So the L-theanine is to help increase your GABA levels, since GABA tranaminase's role is the breakdown of GABA. Also, L-theanine blocks the binding of L-glutamic acid to glutamate receptors. Since GABA is the inhibitory neurotransmitter that protects from glutamate, and your levels will be lower as you taper off the phenibut, the L-theanine is going to help protect you from that glutamatergic rebound.
I also mentioned memantine, since that is a stronger blocker of the glutamate receptors. It will be pulled into the open channel binding site of the NMDAR, and prevent any excess glutamate from allowing too much calcium to influx into the neuron.
And you mention you are taking Xanax as well?