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Phenibut Faces Controversy Amid Addiction and Regulation Risks

7/22/2025

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Summary

Story summary

Phenibut, originally created by Soviet scientists for cosmonauts, is stirring controversy in the U.S. While it provides anxiety relief by mimicking GABA, it carries significant addiction risks. With Utah and Alabama now classifying it as a controlled substance due to its severe side effects, the safety of this unregulated supplement is under intense scrutiny.

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Story summary

Phenibut, originally created by Soviet scientists for cosmonauts, is stirring controversy in the U.S. While it provides anxiety relief by mimicking GABA, it carries significant addiction risks. With Utah and Alabama now classifying it as a controlled substance due to its severe side effects, the safety of this unregulated supplement is under intense scrutiny.