SupplementsAmino AcidsTheanine
Theanine
L-theanine
The amino acid behind green tea's calm. It reaches your blood in under an hour.
- Builds up
- Hours to weeks
- In your body
- Peaks in 50 min
- Per 1 capsule
- 200 mg
- 30-day supply
- $4.80One capsule a day, plus packing and delivery
What is theanine?
L-theanine is an amino acid found mainly in tea leaves. It isn't one your body needs to make protein.
Ours comes in 200 mg capsules.
It's a big part of why a cup of tea feels different from a cup of coffee, even though both contain caffeine. Tea only holds a small amount of it, which is why people take it as a capsule.
What it does
- CalmPromotes relaxation without drowsiness.
- FocusSupports calm focus, especially alongside caffeine.
- SleepSupports restful sleep.
These statements have not been evaluated by the FDA. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease.
What people take it for
Early days
Early days
Early daysHow long it takes
You can feel it the same day. For stress and sleep, the study ran for 4 weeks.
- 50 minutesHighest level in your blood
- HoursYour body breaks it down and clears it
- 4 weeksHow long the stress and sleep study ran
How long it stays in your body
It reaches its highest level in your blood about 50 minutes after you take it, then your body breaks it down.
What's in a capsule
One capsule holds 200 mg, the same as the study above.
How your body handles it
It doesn't build up. Your body absorbs it quickly and breaks it down within hours, and a capsule acts about the same as green tea.
That's why people pair it with coffee: it's thought to take the edge off caffeine.
What it interacts with
- Blood pressure medicinesIt might lower blood pressure a little more.
- Sedatives and sleep medicinesIt might make you sleepier.
- CaffeineA popular pairing, though caffeine can still affect your sleep.
Goes well with
- MagnesiumA common evening pairing.
- AshwagandhaBoth appear in our Stress pack.
- Lion's ManeBoth appear in our Focus pack.
Side effects
- Usually none. Some people get a headache or feel sleepy.
Check first if
- Pregnancy or breastfeeding: there isn't enough safety data, so check with your doctor.
The blood tests that go with it
Work it out
Supplementation
Find Theanine in a ready-made protocol.
Start from one of these, or add it to your own. Everything comes in one pouch each morning.
Mind & balance
For your focused hours.
30-day pack · 5 a morning · 150 pills
$70.35 / month
Choose this packMind & balance
For a demanding day.
30-day pack · 6 a morning · 180 pills
$75.30 / month
Choose this packMind & balance
Make space for balance.
30-day pack · 6 a morning · 180 pills
$73.50 / month
Choose this packYour own
Build your own pouch.
Know what you want to take? Pick each ingredient, and we time it through your day.
Build your own
- cGMP-certifiedFacilities
- FDA-registeredFacilities
- Accredited labsIndependent testing
- Non-GMOIngredient options
- OrganicIngredient options
- VeganFormula options
These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. These products are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease.
Want it more precise? Get the app.
A page can only tell you about Theanine. The app tells you about you: whether it fits, when to take it, and whether it's working.
- Checked against your blood work and everything you already take
- On your daily timeline, around your sleep, training and meals
- Followed over time, so you can see what moved
TheanineOPEN 09:00Theanine against your blood work, your sleep and what you already take.
AIYou sleep better on the days you stop coffee by noon. Keep the theanine with your morning cup?
ASK ABOUT THEANINEFind the goal that's yours.
Your record, your routine and LifeFrom AI, pointed at the outcome that matters to you.
Questions
What is L-theanine good for?
Mostly calm and focus, often with coffee, and sleep.
How long does L-theanine take to work?
It reaches its highest level in your blood in about 50 minutes.
Can I take theanine with coffee?
Yes, it's a popular pairing. Caffeine can still affect sleep, so watch how late you have it.
Is it the same as green tea?
It's the same compound, but a capsule usually holds much more than a cup of tea.
Does L-theanine make you sleepy?
Usually not, though some people do feel sleepy.
Can I take theanine every day?
It's generally well tolerated, and the best-known study gave it daily for 4 weeks. We know less about longer use.
Can theanine help with anxiety?
People take it for everyday calm, and small studies look encouraging. If anxiety is getting in the way of your life, it's worth talking to a doctor.
Does theanine mix with my medicines?
Not much research has looked at this. If you take something for blood pressure, or anything that makes you sleepy, mention it to your doctor or pharmacist first.
Sources
- Scheid L et al. Kinetics of L-theanine uptake and metabolism in healthy participants are comparable after ingestion via capsules and green tea. J Nutr, 2012.
- Hidese S et al. Effects of L-theanine administration on stress-related symptoms and cognitive functions in healthy adults. Nutrients, 2019.
Written by LifeFrom from these sources, and not yet reviewed by a clinician. Talk to your doctor before starting a supplement.
