L-Theanine is a common ingredient in many pre-workouts, energy formulas and occasionally in sleep aids. What exactly is this interesting ingredient and what can it do for you? We’ll answer those questions and more in this edition of Ingredient Spotlight!
What Is L-Theanine?
L-Theanine is a non-proteinogenic amino acid that is found in high concentrations in tea, especially green tea.(1)
What Does It Do?
L-Theanine is interesting in that it helps relax the mind yet does not cause the user to feel drowsy. It’s often paired with caffeine, which provides several benefits. First, it helps smooth out the effects of caffeine. L-Theanine also supports focus, attention, and overall cognitive function, while easing anxiety.(1)
Mechanism of Action
L-Theanine can cross the blood-brain barrier, allowing it to take effect quickly. It works by helping to regulate the release of excitatory brain neurotransmitters and help enhance calming neurotransmitters. An important note for anyone who is trying to build muscle is that L-Theanine helps inhibit cortisol production. Of course, cortisol is the destructive catabolic hormone that is capable of completely derailing your progress.(2,3,4)
What Is The Suggested Dose?
The standard dose ranges from 50 - 300 mg, but you can take up to 500 mg. It’s typically dosed in a 2:1 ratio with caffeine. However, sometimes you will find it dosed evenly or less than the amount of caffeine.
The 5% Nutrition Products That Contain L-Theanine
Kill It Reloaded
In this legendary pre-workout, L-Theanine is featured as part of our innovative Nootropic Blend, one of 4 advanced Blends. Of course, it not only supports mood and focus, but it also helps tame any harshness that may come from the 325 mg fast and slow-digesting caffeine sources in our Stim Blend.
Mentality Nootropic
Mentality is our classic Nootropic so it makes sense that we would include L-Theanine. This outstanding Nootropic features three Blends, and you will find L-Theanine in the advanced Mind Over Matter Mental Power Blend.
Knocked The F*ck Out
You typically find L-Theanine in pre-workouts or energy formulas - but 5% has it in our legendary sleep aid. In this case, we’re using a 75mg dosage for its mental relaxation effects and the fact that it helps increase levels of inhibitory neurotransmitters such as GABA.
Core Energy
L-Theanine is included in our exceptional Coe Energy formula. Unlike other “Core”-type products that feature only a single ingredient, we’ve taken the next step and included ingredients that support the primary ingredient. Leave it to 5% Nutrition to bring innovation to this type of product!
Recap
As we have seen, L-Theanine is a very interesting amino acid that plays an important role in cognitive function, your ability to relax, and in relation to the effects of caffeine. 5% Nutrition has it in several of our products, and it’s not hard to understand why. If you’ve never used it, stop by, grab a couple of the products that feature it, and give it a try!
References:
- https://www.braintropic.com/the-encyclopedia-of-nootropics.pdf, p. 103
- https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0924224499000448
- Haskell, C. F., Kennedy, D. O., Milne, A. L., Wesnes, K. A., & Scholey, A. B. (2008). The effects of L-theanine, caffeine and their combination on cognition and mood. Biological psychology, 77(2), 113–122. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.biopsycho.2007.09.008
- https://www.braintropic.com/the-encyclopedia-of-nootropics.pdf, p.105-106
