Depending on the dose, there's a little-known substance that can work wonders to quell daytime anxiety or usher in a night of uninterrupted slumber without the dreaded hangover. I won't waste your time regurgitating the virtues of sleep; this isn't one of those antiquated magazines you'd find stashed away in your grandma's bathroom. Advising you to get proper rest is akin to saying you should hydrate when you're parched or wear pants before sitting on a scorching leather couch.
Nor will I bore you with the mundane tips for falling asleep. I mean, who doesn't know that a sleep-worthy room should be dark and quiet? And obviously, you're well aware that it's best to ensure there are no wolverines lurking about, ready to nibble on your toes and disrupt your precious sleep cycle.
What truly piques my curiosity is what to do when these common-sense tactics fall short. For me, drifting off to sleep isn't usually the issue, but rather, I tend to awaken in the middle of the night, a time Swedish director Ingmar Bergman famously dubbed "the hour of the wolf":
"The hour when most people die, when sleep is deepest, when nightmares are most real. It is the hour when the sleepless are haunted by their deepest fears, when ghosts and demons are most powerful..."
So, I'm more inclined to explore the world of pharmaceutical sleep aids like phenibut, a solution I rely on to exorcise those nocturnal apparitions and reclaim my slumber.
WHAT ON EARTH IS PHENIBUT?
Phenibut is a psychotropic substance, first developed by the Russians in the 1960s. It was allegedly included in cosmonauts' medical kits due to its tranquilizing and cognition-enhancing properties. Russian physicians later prescribed it for various purposes, from anxiety and post-traumatic stress syndrome to post-surgery recovery in heart surgery patients. Double-blind studies even demonstrated that it enhances cognitive function while reducing fatigue in neurotic patients.
In the United Kingdom and Australia, phenibut is prized for its off-label uses, such as alleviating social anxiety and inducing mild euphoria. However, where it truly shines is as a sleep aid.
This drug is a derivative of the inhibitory neurotransmitter GABA. When stress takes hold, the brain becomes a battleground for stimulating neurotransmitters that lead to restlessness and irritability. GABA steps in to calm the storm by quelling these neurotransmitters, allowing the body to ease into a peaceful slumber.
Phenibut doesn't just mimic GABA; it also prompts the body to release more of it, launching a double-barreled assault on insomnia.
IS IT SAFE?
When used as recommended, phenibut shows no significant side effects, except for the rare occurrence of gastrointestinal discomfort. It even exhibits potential cardio-protective properties.
The nootropic (enhancing creativity, memory, and intelligence) effects start at doses as low as 75 mg. With quantities ranging from 125 to 500 mg., profound relaxation usually takes over, paving the way for a tranquil night's rest. Remarkably, unlike most sleep aids, it leaves you with a mild or non-existent morning "hangover."
But, as with any sleep aid, misuse can lead to undesirable outcomes. Always stick to the label instructions, and don't surpass 500 mg. in a 10-hour period (the half-life of a 250 mg. dose is 5.3 hours).
