Sulbutiamine Dosage, Description, and Experiences
Being faced with fatigue almost daily, my first goal in finding a nootropic was something that would give me energy all day long. That’s when I heard about sulbutiamine.
In Comes Sulbutiamine
Sulbutiamine is a synthetic version of the B-vitamin thiamine (B1). It was one of the first nootropics I tried and turned out to be a successful experiment. Even just reading about sulbutiamine before actually trying it was incredibly interesting to me.
Maybe it was because of how bizarre and multi-faceted its mechanisms seemed and how they affect the brain. A stimulant that causes an increase in the regulation of dopamine. [1]
What is Sulbutiamine?
Basically, sulbutiamine is a synthetic version of B1, thiamine, that can cross the blood-brain barrier much more efficiently than actual B1. It then raises the levels of thiamine and thiamine phosphate esters in the brain, increasing focus and endurance. [2]
It’s also a brain supplement that promotes increased cognitive energy and cognitive function. In some studies it has been shown to increase patient’s memories and help with the retention of knowledge. [2]
More specifically, sulbutiamine is two B1 molecules joined together. This was first synthesized after World War II when Japan’s population was facing Beriberi, or thiamine deficiency due to a lack of B vitamins in the diet. This relationship of thiamine deficiency and diet was discovered by Japanese navy surgeon, Takaki Kanehiro.
Sublutiamine owes its increased ability to pass the blood-brain barrier to its lipophilic profile. In other words, sulbutiamine is fat, or lipid, soluble. Lipid-soluble substances more easily pass this barrier since the blood-brain barrier consists of endothelium cells. These cells only allow lipids, glucose, oxygen, and carbon dioxide molecules across the barrier.
There is some evidence that sulbutiamine may be helpful with neurotransmission. Sulbutiamine has been shown to protect neurons within the brain from the effects of oxygen and glucose deprivation and can help treat symptoms of type II diabetes and diabetic neuropathy. [2]
Sulbutiamine Dosage
An important aspect to keep in mind is the correct dosage of sulbutiamine to take. I tried small doses at first to get a feel for the experience, but these did not seem to produce any noticeable effect. It was only once I got into the 800 mg and above zone that anything close to “stimulation” occurred. Even then, it was a far different effect than I was expecting.
If you’ve never taken sulbutiamine before, start with a 200mg dose to assess tolerance. This is ideal to start with to ensure you do not experience negative side effects. Most sulbutiamine capsules start around 200mg, which is convenient.
Most human studies use 400mg daily, but some individuals take up to 1000mg daily. Regardless of your ideal dosage, do not take sulbutiamine before bed as it has stimulant-like properties although it’s not technically a CNS stimulant.
Sulbutiamine Half-Life and Redosing
Its biological half-life is 5 hours. To account for this, redose at 50% of your starting dosage about once every 5 hours. For example, if you find your ideal dosage to be 400mg, then redose 200mg at 5 hours after your initial 400mg dose. Remember not to take this within 5 hours of bedtime.
Assuming you sleep at least 6 hours, this should equate to a maximum of 1 initial dose and 1 redose (possibly 2 redoses if you want to risk sleep issues).
Personal Experience with Sulbutiamine
While the brain chemistry was interesting, I found once I got my sulbutiamine dose high enough, the subjective effects were different than anything I expected. The energy felt “deeper” than a caffeine or even an amphetamine boost. Rather than feeling stimulated, I just felt awake. Completely awake. I had moments where I would feel drowsy, but, again, it all seemed to be “on top” of a deeper energy that I could tap into and move on.
You can use sulbutiamine as a caffeine substitute if you’re trying to quit or cycle off caffeine or your morning coffee. I was able to reduce my caffeine intake by over half on the days I supplemented with sulbutiamine. It’s also synergistic with caffeine, in case you just want to reduce your caffeine usage.
Wow This Stuff Works.
My language became more fluid and complex than usual, and there were undeniable empathogenic qualities that stimulants typically give me. I was talking to coworkers about their families, offering advice, and complimenting people genuinely whenever I could. It was here that I saw how effective Sulbutiamine powder could be as an anxiolytic product for people with social anxieties.
I have read in a few forums that some people build a tolerance rather quickly. Wanting to avoid a new tolerance or dependence was not in my plans so I never took Sulbutiamine three days in a row. This is probably a good rule of thumb, at least. I wouldn’t recommend non-stop usage, just a few days a week with breaks in between. [2]
Even though I never experienced any adverse effects, I need to mention that using high doses for weeks in a row can cause withdrawal symptoms if you stop cold turkey. Make sure you consult a doctor beforehand if you’re on any prescriptions as well since a case study does exist that shows a patient on antipsychotics growing addicted to this supplement. [2]
What I found was a very pleasant and powerful energy and anxiety aid. I look forward to my next shipment and hope it will be as good as the first.