While many nootropics on the market are no more effective than vitamin or even placebo pills, phenibut is one of the most potent compounds worth looking into.

Not a long time ago, numerous supplement manufacturers used to add phenibut to their dietary formulations, but then the FDA stepped in and declared phenibut not suitable for use in any product labeled as a dietary supplement, because it really isn’t; it’s a synthetic amino acid derivative.

That led to many phenibut-containing products and formulations being taken off the market, leaving only a handful of places where one can buy this stuff. Even way before the FDA action, most major retailers, like Amazon, have banned the sale of phenibut and other nootropics.

It is still perfectly legal for consumers in the USA and elsewhere to buy it over the counter, but not as a dietary supplement or a treatment for any health problem.

The following is a list of five of the best online stores that sell phenibut powder and/or capsules:

Warning: Phenibut should not be used more than twice per week. This is not a supplement and it is not useful for everyone. Do your own research and use with caution.

This is one of the oldest shops on the Internet dedicated to selling natural and herbal brain enhancers. Phenibut is the only synthetic compound they carry, and in fact it’s their flagship product.

They have top-notch quality and they test every batch for purity (you can find the certificate of analysis on their site). On top of that, their customer support is very friendly and quick to respond to emails, which is something I highly appreciate in any business.

LiftMode has both phenibut HCl and FAA (free amino acid). They have a variety of powder forms, including regular powder, fine crystals and large crystals.

Tip: The regular powder dissolves more quickly than the crystal forms, but crystals are less likely to clump and can have a longer shelf life. Unless you have a digital scale for precise dose measuring, it’s better to go with the capsules.

With the largest selection of both natural and synthetic nootropics you can find online, Nootropics Depot is like the Home Depot for nootropics! They are one of the most reputable vendors in this small market with many positive reviews from users on Reddit and other online forums.

They have their own Reddit page where they post lots of useful information about their products and their testing procedures and equipment. You can also get answers from their support team, and even the owner of the company himself on Reddit.

Nootropics Depot has outstanding quality control and first-rate service. Orders are dispatched quickly (usually the same day during business days).

P.S. If you subscribe to the free Nootropics Depot newsletter, you will receive a one-time coupon code that gives you 10% discount on your order.

Pure Nootropics may be a lesser-known vendor, but they have been in the nootropics business for many years and they are vouched for by the Reddit community as one of the reliable suppliers of decent products. They sell different types of synthetic, herbal and natural nootropics at reasonable prices.

They’ve only recently added phenibut HCl capsules to their selection. They’ve also added the powder form later, but the capsules are more convenient and safer, especially for inexperienced users.

PN tests every batch in a third-party lab and you can view the latest COA on their site. The support team is friendly and usually responds within hours on business days.

Note: There have been some complaints about quality control issues with this vendor, such as capsules not pressed firmly. Keep in mind that such small niche companies don’t usually have the same comprehensive QC standards and procedures as the big brands out there. Pure Nootropics may come second to Nootropics Depot in terms of QC, nevertheless, they are a good alternative to opt for.

This is a small online shop that offers a selection of nootropics at very competitive prices. They used to source their raw materials from the same supplier used by Nootropics Depot, but now they seem to be using another source.

They do third-party lab tests for each batch of their products. Overall they are a good company to deal with despite not being as popular as some of the other vendors mentioned here. They only ship to the U.S. and Canada.

Last but not least, this one is more suitable for those located in the UK or Europe. SportPoeders is a Dutch company that offers a wide range of sports nutrition supplements in bulk powder form.

They don’t seem to provide a COA, but they are one of the most reputable EU vendors of phenibut HCl. They ship worldwide, but for those outside of Europe, I’d recommend you stick with U.S. shops.

There are thousands of natural/herbal supplements on the market that promise to help you relax and/or get better sleep quality, but the truth is, most of them are no more helpful than a cup of tea!

But if you are still interested in trying something more natural and safer for daily use, then there are a few natural substances worth giving a shot. One product that does have a good formula of potent ingredients is Relax (Kava Kava, Valerian, CBD) by PACHAMAMA.

This is basically a blend of kava kava root extract, valerian root extract, and full spectrum hemp extract (CBD). It is intended to be used as a sleep aid, but it can also be taken during the day to help you unwind and relax.

All of the three ingredients are widely used as an OTC remedy for stress and sleep issues, although scientific evidence is lacking and results/efficacy vary from one person to another. If you’ve been thinking about joining the CBD wave, then this is one decent product to start with. It’s quite pricey though, as is the case with most quality CBD products out there.

There are several natural and herbal compounds that have the potential to increase GABA levels in the brain and induce calmness and restfulness. While natural GABAergic compounds are noticeably less potent than their synthetic counterparts, they are safer for long-term use and come with little to no significant side effects.

The following are three of the most remarkable natural substances that can provide a milder, similar effect to phenibut’s, and are more suitable and safer for frequent, long-term use:

Magnolia officinalis is a tree native to China, where its aromatic bark is used in traditional Chinese medicine for different health issues.

The bark extract contains two polyphenolic compounds called magnolol and honokiol. These work by enhancing GABA activity in the brain by acting as positive allosteric modulators of GABA(A) receptors. (1)

Magnolia bark extract has a significant anti-stress effect, but more research is still needed to fully understand the mechanism of action and efficacy of this herb and its extracts.

GABA on its own can be taken as a dietary supplement, however, because it is believed not to cross the blood-brain barrier, it has almost no effect on GABA levels in the brain. Although this claim has been questioned by some experts who argue that GABA supplementation does affect the brain’s GABA levels.

There is a substantial amount of anecdotal evidence supporting the anti-stress effects of GABA supplementation, but no conclusive human studies support this. No harm in trying it for yourself as it is considered a safe supplement, at least when taken for up to 12 weeks, according to nutritionist Cathy Wong. (2)

And if you are going to try GABA, coupling it with theanine would be a better bet. L-theanine is an amino acid that is found in green tea leaves. It has been shown to induce calmness and improve cognitive functions. (3) It is believed that theanine’s sedative effects make green tea a calming drink despite the fact that it contains caffeine, which has been associated with restlessness, nervousness and other negative side effects. (4)

Studies suggest that theanine enhances certain neurotransmitters in the brain, including GABA, serotonin and dopamine. (5) When combined with GABA, theanine works synergistically and can be very useful as a natural sleep aid. (6)

Valerian root powder and extracts are commonly used to promote restful sleep, but people also take it to help them stay relaxed and less stressed.

Valerian contains different bioactive compounds with potential medicinal properties. The most notable of its components is valerenic acid, which increases GABA levels and reduces neural excitation. (7)(8)

If you are looking for a moderate nighttime supplement to help you unwind and doze off, then valerian root is a potent herb to consider. It can also work as a daytime stress control natural aid. There isn’t yet conclusive evidence on its efficacy, but some early studies showed plenty of promising results, and most people report a positive experience with this supplement, so it’s definitely a worthwhile option.