Drug info - L-Theanine

[enquirewithin]

This chemical, which is found in green tea, is supposed to promote relaxation and sleep.

Does anyone have any experience with it?

DESCRIPTION

L-theanine is a non-protein amino acid mainly found naturally in the green tea plant (Camellia sinensis). L-theanine is the predominant amino acid in green tea and makes up 50% of the total free amino acids in the plant. The amino acid constitutes between 1% and 2% of the dry weight of green tea leaves. L-theanine is considered the main component responsible for the taste of green tea, which in Japanese is called umami. L-theanine is marketed in Japan as a nutritional supplement for mood modulation.
L-theanine is a derivative of L-glutamic acid. It is a water-soluble solid substance with the molecular formula C7H14O3 N and a molecular weight of 160.19 daltons. L-theanine is also known as gamma-ethylamino-L-glutamic acid, gamma-glutamylethylamide, r-glutamylethylamide, L-glutamic acid gamma-ethylamide and L-N-ethylglutamine. The chemical structure is:


L-theanine

ACTIONS

L-theanine may have activity in modulating the metabolism of cancer chemotherapeutic agents and ameliorating their side effects. It may also have mood-modulating activity.

http://www.pdrhealth.com/drug_info/n...lth_0296.shtml

[snapper]

SWIM has used it and it doesn't do much. Like all amino acid derivatives, it will work best if taken without food. The liver interprets complex proteins as food and consequently metabolize the amino acids rather than recognizing them as drugs. by itself, L-theanine produces a mild anti-anxiety effect, and it smooths out the effects of caffeine and related compounds. It seems to top off in effects at a certain dose; SWIMs multigram trials seemed the same as the 500mg trials. Very fluffy, annoying to encapsulate white powder which is tasteless so can be mixed with water and drunk. SWIM thinks that l-theanine is added to caffeinated soft drinks in japan. Combines well with GABA and phenibut as a sleep aid. No high involved at all.

[sterling77]

For swim there is somewhat of a "high". On theanine he can feel very relaxed and content in a way that feels pleasant. It is supposed to literally cancel out caffeine which makes it one of the best things to take to get to sleep after a caffeinated day. Too bad it's so expensive though.

[enquirewithin]

Originally Posted by sterling100

For swim there is somewhat of a "high". On theanine he can feel very relaxed and content in a way that feels pleasant. It is supposed to literally cancel out caffeine which makes it one of the best things to take to get to sleep after a caffeinated day. Too bad it's so expensive though.

Intersting! I wonder if it really does. What dose is useful? Capsules seem to contain 100 or 200 mg.

[baron samedi]

Does anyone know what the principle "buzz" is when drinking green tea? Is it principally a caffeine one or an l-theanine one?

[bob_arctor]

SWIM uses it as a legal aid for help in falling asleep. Mild, but noticeable. I can imagine it as a valuable addition with other mild sedatives like valerian extract.

Also use it to cancel out jitteriness from unwanted peripheral effects of coffee or other stimulants.

[Snowman]

SWIM has tried L-Theanine, it was too mild, it can be compared too the effect of a piece of chocolate.

[sterling77]

Ramp the dose up to a full gram and see how you feel..it is reminiscent of GHB. ISO (in swim's opinion).

[Lethargy]

A friend of mine drinks this newfangled health drink called Kombucha (fermented tea) that adds L-Theanine 100mg to its drink, she says the drink makes her relaxed and "tingly" and after looking up the ingredients I told her I felt the L-Theanine may cause most of the positive effects she experiences. I'd like to acquire the pure product and see how she thinks it compares...

[baron samedi]

SWIM has been drinking a fair bit of green tea lately, difficult for him to say for sure whether it is really any different to black tea though.
He has noticed a kind of anxiolytic/calming effect but it could just be placebo to be honest.
He may have to experiment with L-theanine on its own to see if the effects correspond to those of drinking green tea.

[Graduisic]

swim has been using l-theanine daily and it seems to help him cope with the mental anxiety of not having any benzos (he had been using xanax for a long time and has trouble dealing with anxiety attacks) l-theanine seems to help untie the not in swim's stomach. combined with vitamin B, GABA, and DMAE, swim also notices cognitive improvement

[0utrider]

needs to me moved to nootropiks, right?

[Alfa]

As the main active of an ethnobotanical, it fits in here as well.

[NeuroMD]

L-Theanine is an interesting compound, however I generally recommend doses closer to 500-1,500 mg a day or as needed when taking it by itself. Otherwise in lower doses 50-250 mg when combining with other GABA acting compounds.

Keep in mind it's a mild Glutamate receptor antagonist (AMPA, Kainate, NMDA).