Comment · Fri, January 2, 2015 · Ceretropic
Phenibut FAA vs HCl - Used search; didn't find much.
Original post in this thread
[deleted] · 16 points
Man, I really hate to create yet another Phenibut thread when there seems to be so much sensitivity about it, but I'm trying to figure out my next purchase.
I've Googled and I've used search (how effectively, I'm not sure) - I can't really seem good information on how well the FAA works in comparison to the HCl.
I'm not adverse to the taste or long duration. I only indulge once a week (best day of my week... yeah), and have damn good self control - only side effect I've noticed is awesome sleep.
What is the purported difference with the FAA, what are some guidelines for taking it sublingually (or otherwise), and what else would be really good to know?
Please, lets not turn this into another debate on the merits - I'm simply looking for information which I can't seem to find. /u/simen, I'd welcome your feedback here, and that anyone else who actually has experience with Phenibut.
What they were answering
liftmode · 18 points
Phenibut is a GABA derivative - a gamma amino acid.
In general, gamma amino acids, like most amino acids, are zwitterionic. They can exist as free amino acids or as salts, and they can form salts with either bases (like sodium hydroxide) or acids (like hydrochloric acid).
Most commercial Phenibut is in the form of the hydrochloride salt (HCL).
In this form, the gamma amino acid Phenibut is reacted with hydrochloric acid to form a stable, very easy to dissolve, acidic, crystalline salt.
This is the Phenibut HCL most people know. Dissolved in a glass of water in typical amounts, it has a pH of <3, and is best taken in capsules or dissolved in a beverage.
Alternatively, Phenibut can exist as a free amino acid (FAA).
In this form, Phenibut is close to pH neutral, non-crystalline, slow to dissolve and mildly bitter.
The FAA form has about 20% more Phenibut molecules on an equal mass basis compared to Phenibut HCL.
FAA has the advantage of being suitable for sublingual which can be more efficient, faster acting and predictable for some (not acidic = not harmful to teeth etc) - but is more expensive by unit weight (due to less economies of scale) and less convenient for capping or dissolving (powdery and not as soluble).
Phenibut FAA is converted to Phenibut HCL in the stomach. Equal masses of the two forms will have roughly equivalent effect when taken the same wa…
u/MisterYouAreSoDumb · Ceretropic
Your FAA also tastes a lot better than the HCL salt.