What Is Phenibut HCL?
Phenibut HCL (β-phenyl-γ-aminobutyric acid hydrochloride; also written fenibut) is a synthetic GABA analogue (MW 215.68 Da as HCL salt) first developed at the A.I. Herzen Leningrad Pedagogical Institute in the 1960s for research into anxiolytic and nootropic compounds. It was later incorporated into the Soviet cosmonaut pharmacopeia for stress management research.
EdgeChems stocks Phenibut HCL 250mg capsules at ≥99% HPLC purity — 60 capsules per bottle — for licensed research applications.
Mechanism of Action
Phenibut’s pharmacological profile in preclinical research involves three distinct mechanisms:
1. GABA-B Receptor Agonism (Primary Mechanism)
The β-phenyl group in Phenibut’s structure is critical: it confers sufficient lipophilicity for CNS penetration, unlike GABA itself which cannot effectively cross the blood–brain barrier. Once in the CNS, Phenibut acts as an agonist at metabotropic GABA-B receptors, which mediate inhibitory neurotransmission via G-protein-coupled signalling. This mechanism is the basis for its anxiolytic and sedative properties studied in rodent models.
2. Voltage-Gated Calcium Channel Modulation
Similar to gabapentin and pregabalin, Phenibut inhibits voltage-gated Ca²⁺ channels at the α₂-δ subunit. This secondary mechanism may contribute to analgesic properties observed in some animal pain models.
3. Dopaminergic Activity
At higher doses, rodent studies have shown Phenibut-stimulated dopamine release in mesolimbic pathways, which may account for the mild stimulant-like and euphoric effects reported in some animal protocols.
Phenibut HCL vs Phenibut FAA
Two salt forms exist:
- Phenibut HCL (this product) — hydrochloride salt. Higher aqueous solubility (~40g/100ml). The form used in the vast majority of published research studies. Preferred for solution-based in-vitro assays.
- Phenibut FAA (free amino acid) — lower aqueous solubility. Less common in formal research; sometimes preferred in oral bioavailability studies where lower gastric acid irritation is desired.
EdgeChems stocks the HCL salt form (250mg capsules × 60) as this is the research-standard formulation.
Research Applications
- Anxiolytic models — Elevated plus-maze, open-field, and Vogel conflict test assays in rodents
- Sleep architecture — Slow-wave sleep (SWS) promotion studies; effects on sleep stage duration in EEG rodent models
- Stress and cognitive performance — Performance retention under physical and psychological stressor conditions
- GABA-B pharmacology — Ligand binding and receptor characterisation studies
- Neuroprotection — Models examining GABA-B-mediated cytoprotection in neuronal cultures
Specification
| Parameter | Value |
|---|---|
| IUPAC name | 3-amino-3-(4-hydroxyphenyl)propanoic acid HCL |
| CAS (HCL) | 1078-21-3 |
| Molecular weight | 215.68 Da (HCL salt) |
| Format | Oral capsule (no reconstitution required) |
| Dose per capsule | 250mg Phenibut HCL |
| Count | 60 capsules per bottle |
| Purity | ≥99% by HPLC |
| Storage | Room temperature, dry, away from direct light |
| CoA | Batch HPLC CoA available |
Related Research Compounds
Researchers buying Phenibut HCL frequently also source these compounds from EdgeChems:
- Bromantane — Soviet-developed dopaminergic actoprotector and adaptogen; often studied alongside Phenibut in stress models
- Selank — Anxiolytic heptapeptide (GABAergic/BDNF mechanisms) for comparison with GABA analogue anxiolytics
- Noopept — Synthetic dipeptide nootropic for BDNF/NGF-focused cognitive research
- Methylene Blue — Mitochondrial electron carrier for CNS metabolic research
- Pramipexole — D2/D3 dopamine agonist for dopaminergic pathway comparison studies
Full Cognitive & Neuro research catalog.
Where to Buy Phenibut HCL Capsules
EdgeChems stocks Phenibut HCL 250mg capsules (60 count) at ≥99% HPLC purity, independently third-party tested with batch Certificate of Analysis:
- Phenibut HCL 250mg × 60 capsules: buy Phenibut HCL for sale — EdgeChems
- Cognitive & Neuro catalog: edgechems.com — Cognitive & Neuro
For laboratory and research use only. Not for human or veterinary consumption. EdgeChems supplies this compound exclusively for licensed preclinical research applications.