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For those interested in reducing anxious feelings and improving the quality of their sleep, L-Theanine is a natural supplement worth looking into.
L-Theanine Reviews say that this supplement boosts alpha brain waves which lead to a feeling of relaxed and alert calmness and clarity.
This compound is a naturally occurring amino acid that is found in green tea and is a form of L-Glutamic acid. In this review of L-Theanine, we will look at how this nootropic compound works, what its specific benefits are, the right way to use it and the possible risk of side effects.
Focus
Stress
Brain Function- Supports focus, attention & mood
- Helps to reduce stress & anxiety
- Neuroprotective & increases NGF
Top L-Theanine Products* ❯L-Theanine Introduction
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The chemical structure of L-Theanine is very similar to that of Tryptophan, another important nutrient for the body.
It is considered to be a precursor to the neurotransmitter Serotonin and indeed many of the benefits of L-Theanine are known effects of higher levels of Serotonin. Some of these benefits include a greater ability to relax and remain calm as well as promoting a sense of well-being.
The presence of L-Theanine in green tea is one of the main reasons why people can drink this caffeinated beverage without displaying typical stimulant side effects like jitters and nervousness. L-Theanine also has a positive effect on being able to fall asleep and is commonly used as a sleep or lucid dreaming aid.
L-Theanine Effects:
So, how does L-Theanine actually work? This wonderfully complex supplement displays several different mechanisms of activity that are still being explored by neuroscientists and the medical community.
Having said that, we do know that this supplement is capable of being transmitted over the blood-brain barrier and entering into the central nervous system. This is critical to the extent it works by helping to moderate alpha brain waves.
Once L-Theanine reaches the brain tissue, it targets neurotransmitters four key neurotransmitters that regulate arousal, stress, pleasure, and attention. One of these neurotransmitters is GABA which is the primary inhibitory neurochemical in the brain. It helps to calm down the brain by preventing neurons from firing excessively.
Over-activity in critical areas of the brain produces sensations of restlessness, anxiety and the feeling like you cannot let something go. By dampening this activity, L-Theanine is said to produces sensations of tranquility, relaxation, and contentment.
The supplement also acts as a precursor to Serotonin which is known to help control the sleep and wake cycles. Dopamine and Norepinephrine are also modulated, which are two of the reasons why taking this supplement helps to make us feel good.
L-Theanine Benefits:
One of the benefits of L-Theanine supplementation is that it leads to higher levels of Dopamine. This has been reported in several studies.
As a neurotransmitter Dopamine is thought to be a type of feel-good chemical. It is known to give us feelings of pleasure, motivation and excitement and is vital in the reward system in the brain.
L-Theanine may also have immune boosting properties, increasing the body’s resistance to cold and flus.
There is also an overall feeling well-being as a result of L-Theanine supplementation. This leads to a naturally aroused yet calm state of being. Stress and anxiety are melted away. L-Theanine reviews say it helps to remain focused and increase productivity whether at work or school.
It is also thought that L-Theanine exhibits a protective effect on the brain. Neurons are protected from damage by being blocked from over-stimulation of synaptic receptors. They are also protected from low levels of oxygen which is called oxidative stress.
Other studies show that L-Theanine might help to stimulate the release of specific proteins that are needed for nerve growth. It has been speculated that with the increased production of Dopamine, L-Theanine may play an important role in the treatment of Parkinson’s disease, although more research is needed for this to be determined conclusively.
L-Theanine Dosage:
The generally accepted and recommended dose of L-Theanine is between 50 and 200 mg per day. This nootropic is safe to take on a daily basis or you may decide to cycle it to avoid any sort of tolerance from forming.
L-Theanine is effective on its own, but most users prefer to take it in a stack with other cognitive enhancers like caffeine, Piracetam or Noopept. If you are looking to build an anxiolytic supplement stack, consider a combination of L-Theanine with Aniracetam.
L-Theanine Side Effects:
L-Theanine is one of the few supplements that does not have any known negative side effects when used at the appropriate dosage. In fact, about the worst that might happen to someone is they simply do not notice any effects at all.
Fortunately, even that would be a very rare occurrence. There have been reviews that when L-Theanine is taken in extremely high doses (well above the levels listed in this report) it might cause some diarrhea.
L-Theanine is also not advised for those who are already taking medications to reduce high blood pressure. This combination could actually be too effective and reduce the pressure to a dangerously low level. Also, do not use this in combination with stimulant drugs as you may notice a cancelling out of effects.
L-Theanine Review:
L-Theanine is one of the most beneficial and enjoyable to take supplements around. It has become a staple in many brain-boosting routines and is features as an ingredient in several commercial products for anxiety and focus.
The mental state that you can achieve when using L-Theanine is described best as a heightened sense of focused alertness. This nootropic boosts your concentration and energy levels while simultaneously promoting sensations of calm.
L-Theanine reviews online tend to be highly positive and we would definitely recommend this supplement for anyone looking for a mid-level mood enhancing substance.
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- Lyon MR, Kapoor MP, Juneja LR. The effects of L-theanine (Suntheanine®) on objective sleep quality in boys with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD): a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial. Altern Med Rev. 2011
- Conde VR, Alves MG, Oliveira PF, Silva BM. Tea (Camellia Sinensis (L.)): a Putative Anticancer Agent in Bladder Carcinoma? Anticancer Agents Med Chem. 2014
- Dodd FL, Kennedy DO, Riby LM, Haskell-Ramsay CF. A double-blind, placebo-controlled study evaluating the effects of caffeine and L-theanine both alone and in combination on cerebral blood flow, cognition and mood. Psychopharmacology (Berl). 2015
- Yamamoto S, Kimura T, Tachiki T, Anzai N, Sakurai T, Ushimaru M. The involvement of L-type amino acid transporters in theanine transport. Biosci Biotechnol Biochem. 2012
- Einöther SJ, Martens VE, Rycroft JA, De Bruin EA. L-theanine and caffeine improve task switching but not intersensory attention or subjective alertness. Appetite. 2010
- Camfield DA, Stough C, Farrimond J, Scholey AB. Acute effects of tea constituents L-theanine, caffeine, and epigallocatechin gallate on cognitive function and mood: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Nutr Rev. 2014
Article last updated on: March 17th, 2018 by Nootriment