Can Phenibut trigger hypomania?

[Aetherius Rimor]

I can't even remember the last time I was hypomanic without taking caffeine, and today I'm extremely hypomanic. Euphoric, loving everything, tons of energy, etc.

Anyways, this happens naturally from time to time completely free of drugs, however I did take 3.4 grams of Phenibut last night to see how it'd affect me. I remember before passing out I started to get a euphoric body high that prevented me from falling asleep so I went and played Diablo III until I was too tired to stay awake anymore.

When I woke up today, the full effects of hypomania were in gear, so it does have me wondering if the Phenibut had some role in my current mental state.

Anyone have similar experience or know anything about this possibility?

 

[Brian242]

Isn't Phenibut Phenobarbital? Because taking that much should've killed you if i'm not mistaken.

 

[debaser]

^ No, phenibut isnt phenobarbital, nor a barbituric. 3.4 grams isnt a totally absurd dose, at the contrary it is an average/high dose.

Dunno for your question OP, you should taper it slowly if you dont feel comfortable with it anymore

 

[Allein]

There isnt a great deal of info on Phenibut, I have been trying it as I taper off benzos, taking about 2g every other day for a week or so. I found it helped with sleep but little other effect I could discern. Certainly no extra energy the next day, if anything maybe a little groggy.

I really didn't feel it was of any great use to me so I ceased but I guess YMMV

 

[alkap555]

Yea it's possible that phenibut triggered your hypomanic episode. As atm23 pointed out, there is not a whole lot of clinical experience or research with phenibut as its a pretty obscure, legal supplement mainly used in eastern Europe (Rxed). Based on the adverse effect profile of Baclofen--a pharmacologically (and chemically) related drug--I would bet that phenibut is capable of inducing (hypo)mania in certain individuals, especially considering that phenibut is probably a much "dirtier" drug than baclofen, (acts on more than one receptor subtype etc)

Baclofen Side Effects:

http://www.drugs.com/sfx/baclofen-side-effects.html

 

[Aetherius Rimor]

Alkap555, yep that probably confirms my theory to myself.

Baclofen is phenibut with a Cl atom attached to the benzene ring on the opposite side of the GABA attachment.

For those unfamilar with hypomania, it is not a bad thing. Hypermania is bad, hypomania is the saving grace of bipolar. Imagine rolling without feeling fucked up, and no dialated pupils, and for up to days at a time.

Happens naturally without drugs, just not as often for me as depression.