phenibut: a scientific guide to the health benefits & precautions (english edition)  in this easy-to-read guide, award-winning science writer david jay brown covers the basic facts about a little-known dietary supplement known as phenibut, which has safely and effectively helped many people with social anxiety, depression, insomnia, and age-related disorders. brown reviews the scientific studies, and covers the history of phenibut, what phenibut feels like, how it works in our brains, what its used for in russian medicine, the dangers of phenibut, how phenibut mixes with herbs and nutrients, and how to get the most health benefits out of this remarkable substance.