L-theanine
There is more to tea than meets the eye and it's more than a coincidence that green tea, in particular, has been used for centuries to get monks, scholars, poets, and you, dear reader, into a state of calm. That coincidence is called “L-theanine” - Taihoku
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Nootropic You Should Know: L-Theanine
Stress. Anxiety. Burnout. Insomnia. Reversing these issues may seem challenging, but what if something as simple as drinking tea could help?
L-theanine—a natural component in tea leaves and some types of mushrooms—could be a beneficial addition to your wellness toolkit. It's a nootropic, meaning it's known to have brain benefits. And, if you're not a fan of tea or prefer to get it another way, it's also available in supplement form.
Resources
The Science Of L-Theanine, A Dietary Supplement That Relieves Stress, Improves Focus, And Enhances Sleep
While most research on L-theanine has focused on the brain, this amino acid actually supports a wide range of bodily systems.
All About L-Theanine
Though tea has been consumed for thousands of years, L-theanine was only discovered as a constituent of tea by scientists in Kyoto in 1949. L-theanine is a rare amino acid found in Camellia sinensis tea leaves and trace amounts in certain types of mushrooms.
Effects of l-Theanine on Cognitive Function in Middle-Aged and Older Subjects: A Randomized Placebo-Controlled Study
l-theanine (γ-glutamylethylamide), an amino acid in green tea, has been shown to affect brain functions by relieving stress disorders, improving mood, and maintaining normal sleep. However, the cognitive functions for which theanine is effective are unclear.
L-theanine stacking with matcha and tea
L-Theanine is very structurally similar to glutamine (it’s chemical name is 5-N-Ethyl-Glutamine), which is responsible for the production of GABA (Gamma Amino Butyric Acid) and Glutamate.
L-Theanine Unpacked
It might not be the most recognizable name on the planet, but some people may know L-Theanine for helping the body sleep, relax, and reduce stress. However, it’s a bit more nuanced than that, and learning more about this little chemical might just help you in big ways.
L-Theanine: A Unique Functional Amino Acid in Tea
Tea (Camellia sinensis L.) is a very popular health drink and has attracted increasing attention in recent years due to its various bioactive substances. Among them, L-theanine, a unique free amino acid, is one of the most important substances in tea and endows tea with a special flavor.
L-Theanine: Meet Tea's Magic Amino Acid
Have you ever noticed that a great cup of green, white, black, or Oolong tea just sets you at ease? That while you may feel that energized lift from tea’s natural caffeine that you're more aware, calm, present, and Zen-like than say if you downed double shots of espresso or a hulking mug of black coffee? There’s a reason!
L-Theanine: The Reason Tea is Better Than Coffee
What’s really interesting about L-Theanine is that it interacts with caffeine. We all know that there’s less caffeine in a cup of tea compared to a cup of coffee (comparing the dry material of leaf vs bean is a different story, however) but L-Theanine matters too.
L-Theanine: The Ultimate Guide
Within around thirty minutes of consuming it, L-theanine crosses the blood-brain barrier, where it appears to smooth out brain waves without flattening them as visualized on an EEG. This effect improves cognition in interesting ways.
Relax! L-Theanine and Tea to the Rescue!
L-theanine appears to be one major reason for the calming, yet uplifting, effects of tea. It has been shown in early studies that 50mg L-theanine naturally stimulates alpha-waves in the brain. This are the same activity in the brain that is enhanced through meditation!
The Many Benefits of L-Theanine
Be careful of taking L-Theanine as a supplement if you are taking medications. It may interfere or interact and with high blood pressure medication, lowering your blood pressure too much, since L-Theanine has relaxing properties.
What is L-theanine and how does it help you sleep?
The trending supplement could be key to soothing anxiety and, in turn, helping you drift off.
Nootropic You Should Know: L-Theanine
L-theanine is the compound credited with giving tea (Camellia sinensis) its flavor and smell. It’s found in both green and black tea but is highest in shade-grown matcha green tea. L-theanine has been widely studied because of its ability to enhance human health.
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