Phenibut – the Russian anti-anxiety drug linked to Gold Coast teens’ overdoses

Dr Janet Cheung

writer

Dr Janet Cheung

Lecturer in Pharmacy, University of Sydney

Dr Jonathan Penm

writer

Dr Jonathan Penm

Lecturer (Pharmacy), University of Sydney

Phenibut was initially developed in the 1960s in Russia as an anti-anxiety (anxiolytic) drug with cognitive enhancing properties. It has since attracted a strong following of users in the “smart drug” market, with claims of boosting memory recall and exam performance.

Originally given to Soviet cosmonauts to combat anxiety and insomnia, the powdered drug is suspected to have played a role in the recent overdose of seven teenagers at a Queensland private school.

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Dr Janet Cheung

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Dr Janet Cheung

Lecturer in Pharmacy, University of Sydney

Dr Jonathan Penm

writer

Dr Jonathan Penm

Lecturer (Pharmacy), University of Sydney

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