How to Go Out Sober | A-Z Guide
Maybe you’re tired of getting wasted and want to know how to go out sober? Well, you’re in the right place.
I was in the same spot. I’d been drinking way too much. Some claim an alcoholic is someone who binge drinks more than five times a month. That’s been an average week for me much of the past year.
The naysayers will quickly chime in, “why are you writing about how to go out sober then?”
Because I finally figured out how to do it — properly.
I realized I was having some issues with the sauce last week. So instead of buying bottles at the club, I decided to take some Phenibut and see how the night went.
I’m sick of having hangovers. I don’t have any desire to down bottles every weekend like the hedonist I’d become. But I still wanted to go out. I still wanted to hang out with the boys. Hell, I certainly wanted to mack a lil’ bit, too.
Below is what I learned about going out “sober” more than a couple times.
Table of Contents
This is not medical or legal advice. This guide is strictly for entertainment purposes only. Always consult a medical professional before consuming any nootropic and always abide by the laws of your country. Please read my disclaimer page, too.
Going Out Sober Sucks… But Does it Have to?
I’d tried this before.
My life is one of revolving addictions. Booze gets in the way of some while aiding and abetting others. But I’ve always known that too much sauce can get in the way of productivity.
So I’ve stopped drinking for months on end before. But I never made much of an effort to go out or be social during these periods. I just wasn’t interested. I was focused on other things.
Plus, going out sober can be a drag. Dealing with drunken morons while not in a drunken moronic state of mind can be quite annoying. After 4-5 times going out sober and not having much fun, I pretty much gave up on the endeavor.
Then I heard about a Russian nootropic that made going out “sober” enjoyable…
How to Go Out Sober | A-Z Guide
That was last week.
That was until I decided to give up drinking for five straight weeks. And I’m not sure I’ll ever go back. One day maybe, but for now, I plan to stay off the sauce for a bit.
Ready to learn how to go out sober and not hate everything about it? Great. Here’s how I’ve learned to do it.
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Phenibut
Phenibut is one of the most powerful nootropics for being social that I’ve found. I love the stuff. It not only gives you clarity and focus, but it really boosts mood [1].
Phenibut was originally (and still is) used as an anxiolytic — a medication to fight anxiety [2]. That’s why people with social anxiety love the stuff. It not only relaxes you, but it also gives you a bit of a dopamine rush, which makes you just feel amazing.
When you’re on the stuff, you’re at your social best: engaged, funny, and talkative. Phenibut reduces the part of your brain that second-guesses what you’re doing, just like alcohol. But unlike alcohol, this stuff doesn’t get you drunk. And there’s not a hangover the next day.
For me, there’s nothing quite like Pheinbut for going out sober. It’s all the best parts of drinking without the worst ones. For real, try this stuff. It’ll change your nightlife.
Just a heads up though: if you’re on Phenibut, don’t drink. Because Phenibut effects some of the same neuronal pathways as alcohol, you don’t want to do both of these at the same time [3]. They can interact with each other and kind of double their effects.
Stick with just Phenibut or just the beer. Don’t do both.
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Nicotine
Nicotine is also actually a very powerful nootropic and is great for going out. On the one hand, Nicotine is a stimulant and increases alertness. On the other hand, it also has a relaxing effect on you [4].
I know, I know:
Am I saying that you should smoke? Isn’t smoking cigarettes really harmful?
Sure. I typically don’t smoke, but I do occasionally enjoy a cigar when I go out. But other times, I simply go with nicotine gum. Honestly, it’s great: you get the calming alertness, without any of the negative effects of smoking.
In fact, some research suggests it might even be helpful. Some research has found that nicotine patches may improve cognition in people who suffer from Schizophrenia [5]. And other research suggests it could be good for people with Alzheimer’s disease [6].
So, there’s definitely some science to back up the fact that it can make you feel good. Adding it to your night out will help you enjoy yourself even when you’re not drinking.
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Caffeine
I love myself some caffeine… there’s nothing better than fresh coffee.
This is another essential part of my nightlife ritual. I make myself a strong coffee just after dinner, and it helps advance the effects of the Phenibut and the nicotine.
Caffeine is, of course, a stimulant, but it’s also responsible for several cognitive and mood-boosting effects as well [7, 8].
I love adding this to my pre-party routine.
Putting it All Together…
Here’s my advice for putting it all together to have a great night out without alcohol.
- Eat a meal around 5:30-6:00. This will set the base for your evening. You need to have great energy, so try and eat something healthy, but with a few extra carbs. I’ve found sushi works well.
- Wait two hours after your last bite. If you finish eating at 7 PM, then wait until 9 or 9:30 PM. Then take Phenibut. See my guide for more information about how to dose Phenibut properly and how to take it properly. I would take 500 mg of Phenibut HCL for a night out.
- Relax for an hour or two and listen to some music or chill with friends. Phenibut takes 1-2 hours to kick in.
- After an hour or more, drink a big cup of strong coffee. Caffeine mixes well with Phenibut. I’ve found Red Coffee is ideal. I like to add a tablespoon of coconut oil, too.
- Head to the party, bar, or club around an hour and a half to two hours after you’ve consumed Phenibut.
- Try to be with friends when you begin going out sober. Going out sober and alone is a whole different level. If you’re with friends, you should start to get into a great social mood around the two-hour mark post-consumption.
- You should start to feel in a social flow state before the three-hour mark on Phenibut. It does take a while to kick in, so before taking more, wait for a bit.
- If not, there are a few things you can do. First, take five huge breathes and down a bottle of water. This is basic. However, the next item is a bit odd. If you find yourself still in your head and not enjoying people, try slapping your thighs 5-10 times. Do it hard. Imagine yourself as a warrior preparing for battle. Slap the shit out of your thighs. You should feel a spark of energy after doing this. You should feel a smile creep across your face. After ten thigh slaps, I’m almost always in a better mood and ready to socialize.
- At this point, you can also try having a piece of nicotine gum or a puff of your cigar. Whatever you like.
- Enjoy your evening after this! Talk, dance, flirt, and have fun.
- Then go home when you like. Phenibut honestly will last almost 24 hours, so you should enjoy the effects of it for a long time.
- Sleep! I sleep like a baby after going out sober and taking Phenibut. A lot of people actually use it as a sleep aid, so you should sleep well. Just make sure you have at least eight hours to sleep that night. If you take this smart drug and go to bed at 3 AM, don’t set your alarm before 11 AM if possible.
By following the plan laid out above, you’ll be able to enjoy a fun night out on the town — without minimal downsides.
By downsides, I’m talking hangovers and essentially poisoning your body with booze.
Going Out Sober | My Experiences
I’ve used the above protocol quite a few times now, and I really like it.
I find that I have an amazing time and wake up feeling refreshed and energized the next day. No hangover. No wasted days laying in bed because I have no energy to do anything else.
I’ve also “partied” with my friends while on it. We hit the club, bonded together, spit some game to some gals, danced, and had fun. They were drunk. I wasn’t. But no one knew because I was social and talking to everyone.
Don’t go out sober if you’re going to be the shy guy standing in the corner with a scowl. I’ve done it, and it blows. But the combination of the protocol above and Phenibut changed all that.
Now I go out sober and have more fun than most. I talk with more people, make more friends, and dance when I feel like it. It’s a great time.
Phenibut Pro-Tip
You should only use this smart drug once or twice a week, max. Using Phenibut every day is not something you want to do because it can be a bit addictive if you start to use it more than 2-3 times a week [9, 10].
However, sometimes going out on Friday and Saturday is fun. If you want to go out back to back nights, then take maybe 500 mg of Phenibut the first night with one cup of coffee an hour or two later.
On the second night (usually Saturday), take maybe 400 mg. Or a bit less. You will probably still have some of it in your system because it lasts for so long in your system.
This cycle will ensure you reap the social benefits of this smart drug both nights you go out.
Benefits of Not Drinking?
If you follow that protocol you should have an amazing night — and all without a drop of alcohol.
And if the memory of the days wasted with a painful hangover isn’t enough of a reason to cut back on the alcohol, here are some stats about the benefits of not drinking that might help you decide that nootropics are a better alternative:
- Heavy drinking impacts your liver (but you probably knew that… and even if you didn’t, your liver did) [11].
- Heavy drinking impacts your heart. Research shows that heavy drinking, even irregularly, has a significant and negative impact on your cardiovascular system and puts you at higher risk for heart disease and stroke [12].
- Heavy and even moderate consumption of alcohol may put women at a greater risk of infertility [13].
- Binge drinking puts you at a higher risk of a number of cancers, including liver cancer, colon cancer, stomach cancer, and the like [14, 15]. In fact, heavy drinking increases your risk by 10 to 15 times.
- You’re more at risk for lung infections when you drink frequently compared to when you’re not.
- Alcohol can change your behavior, even when you’re not drunk. It may even cause your brain to shrink.
- Alcohol can cause sexual dysfunction. Men who are heavy drinkers are much more likely to experience erectile dysfunction.
- Alcohol also can cause diabetes and contribute to obesity. We’re talking about a beer gut here.
So, ya, it’s really not good for you.
For me it wasn’t just the hangovers. I want to go to a party, feel good, and remember it. I spend a lot of time at the gym trying to put on muscle and look fit. The excess body fat that came with drinking a lot just wasn’t worth it, especially when you don’t want to work out after drinking.
Plus, like, avoiding cancer, heart disease, infertility, a shrinking brain, sexual dysfunction, and diabetes sounds pretty good to me.
I promise you, you can have a good time without the booze. Phenibut is wonderful, and together with nicotine and caffeine, you’ve got a dream team. And the negative effects are way, way less.
Plus, it’s way cheaper.
Ultimate Guide to Going Out Sober | Verdict
I’m not saying I’ll never drink again…
But for someone that enjoys life as much as I do, it was becoming too much for my body and my wallet. I have sh*t to do. I can’t spend a whole day recovering from a wild night out.
So I’ve stopped drinking for a bit, and started going out sober.
And you can, too!
You can start going out sober without worry. You’ll have just as much fun, while still being able to function the next day. Productivity and a social life can go hand-in-hand.
Grab some Phenibut and find out for yourself!
References
- Lapin, I. (2001). Phenibut (β‐phenyl‐GABA): A tranquilizer and nootropic drug. CNS drug reviews, 7(4), 471-481.
- Cheung, J. & Penn, J. (2018). Weekly dose: Phenibut – the Russian anti-anxiety drug linked to Gold Coast teens’ overdoses. The Conversation. https://theconversation.com/weekly-dose-phenibut-the-russian-anti-anxiety-drug-linked-to-gold-coast-teens-overdoses-92339
- Owen, D. R., Wood, D. M., Archer, J. R., & Dargan, P. I. (2016). Phenibut (4‐amino‐3‐phenyl‐butyric acid): Availability, prevalence of use, desired effects and acute toxicity. Drug and alcohol review, 35(5), 591-596.
- Harvard Medical School. (2014). Nicotine: It may have a good side. Harvard Health Publishing. http://health.harvard.edu/newsletter_article/Nicotine_It_may_have_a_good_side
- Barr, R. S., Culhane, M. A., Jubelt, L. E., Mufti, R. S., Dyer, M. A., Weiss, A. P., … & Evins, A. E. (2008). The effects of transdermal nicotine on cognition in nonsmokers with schizophrenia and nonpsychiatric controls. Neuropsychopharmacology, 33(3), 480-490.
- White, H. K., & Levin, E. D. (2004). Chronic transdermal nicotine patch treatment effects on cognitive performance in age-associated memory impairment. Psychopharmacology, 171(4), 465-471.
- Warburton, D. M. (1995). Effects of caffeine on cognition and mood without caffeine abstinence. Psychopharmacology, 119(1), 66-70.
- Lorist, M. M., & Tops, M. (2003). Caffeine, fatigue, and cognition. Brain and Cognition, 53(1), 82-94.
- Ahuja, T., Mgbako, O., Katzman, C., & Grossman, A. (2018). Phenibut (β-phenyl-γ-aminobutyric acid) dependence and management of withdrawal: Emerging nootropics of abuse. Case Reports in Psychiatry, 2018.
- Zheng, K. H., Khan, A., & Espiridion, E. D. (2019). Phenibut Addiction in a Patient with Substance Use Disorder. Cureus, 11(7).
- Becker, U., Deis, A., Sorensen, T. I., Gronbaek, M., Borch‐Johnsen, K., Muller, C. F., … & Jensen, G. (1996). Prediction of risk of liver disease by alcohol intake, sex, and age: a prospective population study. Hepatology, 23(5), 1025-1029.
- Rehm, J., & Roerecke, M. (2017). Cardiovascular effects of alcohol consumption. Trends in cardiovascular medicine, 27(8), 534-538.
- Eggert, J., Theobald, H., & Engfeldt, P. (2004). Effects of alcohol consumption on female fertility during an 18-year period. Fertility and sterility, 81(2), 379-383.
- Petri, A. L., Tjønneland, A., Gamborg, M., Johansen, D., Høidrup, S., Sørensen, T. I., & Grønbæk, M. (2004). Alcohol intake, type of beverage, and risk of breast cancer in pre‐and postmenopausal women. Alcoholism: Clinical and Experimental Research, 28(7), 1084-1090.
- Grønbæk, M. (2009). The positive and negative health effects of alcohol‐and the public health implications. Journal of Internal Medicine, 265(4), 407-420.
