In fact, explains Kramer, just one 200 to 400mg capsule can ease stress, lower your cortisol levels, and get you to a state of zen in 20 minutes. And, if you want, you can safely consume L-theanine every day.
Is L-theanine safe for long-term use? Yes. L-theanine is a safe and natural amino acid that can be taken long-term without any adverse effects. (6) However, you must always adhere to the dosage guidelines.
As long as you follow the L-theanine supplement's dosage suggestions, you can safely take L-theanine daily. And because L-theanine is a 100% drug-free, non-habit-forming ingredient, it is generally considered safe for long-term use.
L-theanine is an amino acid naturally found in plant sources such as tea leaves and some mushrooms. L-theanine benefits include helping to support alertness, relaxation, and sleep. The appeal of L-theanine stems from its ability to support a state of alert relaxation, so it can calm you down without causing drowsiness.
There are no confirmed or direct side effects of consuming L-theanine. Generally speaking, it's safe to drink teas and take supplements that contain L-theanine. But it's important to note that the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) doesn't regulate supplement.
L-theanine Dosage and Use
L-theanine is one of my most common treatments for anxiousness and may help any of the three sub-types. It's usually taken in doses from 50-100 mg once or twice daily. In more severe cases, it may be taken 3 or 4 times per day. It is not habit forming like many anti-anxiety medications.
Pregnancy and breast-feeding:There is not enough reliable information about the safety of using theanine if you are pregnant or breast-feeding. Stay on the safe side and avoid use. Children: Theanine is POSSIBLY SAFE for children. Doses of 200 mg of theanine have been safely used twice daily for up to 6 weeks.
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.
“A combination of magnesium with L-Theanine (an amino acid) will ease the tension in the physical body and settle anxiety as L-Theanine supports the production of calming neurotransmitters. Take this combination now twice daily rather than waiting until you feel tense or anxious.”
The Best Time of Day to Take L-Theanine
If you're using l-theanine to boost cognitive function during the day, it's best to take l-theanine about 30 minutes (in capsule or pill form) before your morning coffee. You can also add it as a powder to your cup of coffee.
Taking a dose higher than 400 mg puts you at risk of experiencing uncomfortable side effects, including nausea and headaches. Nevertheless, even a high dose of L-Theanine is unlikely to cause severe side effects for most people.
Possible Adverse Effects of L-Theanine
Moderate daily intake of L-Theanine is safe, and no side effects were reported in any published study. High doses on daily basis will lead to: Lowering blood pressure (which may be beneficial to some people).
However, if we're looking for a natural compound that can simultaneously improve your daytime mental performance and nighttime cognitive relaxation, L-theanine takes the cake—whether compared with melatonin or any other natural substance.
A study on the effects of theanine on the liver showed that when it was administered to mice prior to ethanol exposure, it fully restored the mice's baseline liver functions. These results bode well for drinkers, since they imply that theanine can help prevent ethanol-induced liver injury.
L-theanine may reduce brain fog symptoms such as memory problems and delayed reaction time when taken as a supplement. It may also help reduce stress and improve sleep, which may relieve brain fog symptoms.
Magnesium can decrease the absorption and effectiveness of numerous medications, including some common antibiotics such as tetracycline (Achromycin, Sumycin), demeclocycline (Declomycin), doxycycline (Vibramycin), minocycline (Minocin), ciprofloxacin (Cipro), levofloxacin (Levaquin), moxifloxacin (Avelox) and ofloxacin ...
Most people find that L-theanine works best when taken in doses of 200-400 mg per day. (3) Larger doses may be more effective but can also cause side effects. It's important to consult with a healthcare professional before starting L-theanine, especially if you take medication or have a pre-existing medical condition.
Magnesium and calcium/multivitamin
But if you do take magnesium, Erin Stokes, ND, recommends not taking it at the same time as your multivitamin, as it may interfere with the absorption of smaller minerals found in the multivitamin, like iron and zinc.
In a randomized controlled trial in patients with mild cognitive impairment, L-theanine taken with green tea extract for 16 weeks had no significant effect on memory and attention, though a trend for an improvement in memory was seen midway through the trial [1].
Experts consider L-theanine to be generally safe for people to take as a supplement, but more research is necessary to confirm its possible health benefits. Small studies and research on animals suggest that L-theanine could help with relaxation, improved sleep quality, and neuroprotection.
L-theanine has been historically reported as a relaxing agent, prompting scientific research on its pharmacology. Animal neurochemistry studies suggest that L-theanine increases brain serotonin, dopamine, GABA levels and has micromolar affinities for AMPA, Kainate and NMDA receptors.
Another common reason why L-theanine might increase anxiety in certain people is if they consume it alongside excessive caffeine, especially if you are sensitive to caffeine. Lastly, L-theanine may interact with certain medications—especially stimulant drugs or those for high blood pressure.
Tolerance and addiction potential
Theanine is not habit-forming. Tolerance to the effects of theanine are built up after prolonged and repeated usage. After noticeable tolerance has been built, it takes about 5 days for tolerance to be reduced by half and 10 days return to baseline.
L-theanine acts within 30-60 minutes, while Ashwagandha takes time (up to a week) to feel the benefits. This creates a bridge effect where daily doses of L-theanine bridge the longer-term benefits of Ashwagandha.
People use L-theanine to improve mental function. It is also used for anxiety, mental impairment, stress, and other conditions, but there is no good scientific evidence to support these uses.