L-Theanine is a “unique non-protein amino acid found in green tea” which according to the study below, has shown benefits when used short-term or acutely as a supplement for it’s anti-stress effects, reducing anxiety, improving sleep quality, improving cognition and even easing depression.
This 2019 study, Effects of L-Theanine Administration on Stress-Related Symptoms and Cognitive Functions in Healthy Adults: A Randomized Controlled Trial, aimed to examine the effects of four weeks use of l-theanine:
on stress-related symptoms and cognitive functions in healthy adults. Participants were 30 individuals (nine men and 21 women; aged 20-69) who had no major psychiatric illness.
The trial was randomized, placebo-controlled, crossover, and double-blind.
L-theanine (200 mg/day of Suntheanine), was used by study participants before going to bed each night and was used for four-weeks.
Study participants who used the theanine for two weeks observed the following:
- For sleep: Reductions in sleep latency (the amount of time it takes to fall asleep), sleep disturbance and less use of sleep medication
- For cognitive function: Improvements in verbal fluency (especially letter fluency) and improvements in executive function (planning, multi-tasking etc)
The Japanese versions of The Self-rating Depression Scale, State-Trait Anxiety Inventory-trait, and Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) scores decreased and the study concludes as follows:
Our findings suggest that L-theanine has the potential to promote mental health in the general population with stress-related ailments and cognitive impairments.
The authors also note that “there were no significant adverse events, demonstrating the safety of four weeks of L-theanine administration.”
As expected, the participants saw increases in serum theanine concentrations. What is unusual and inconsistent with previous studies, is the fact that there was “no significant effect on cortisol or immunoglobulin A levels in the saliva or serum.” I’m not sure I understand the reasoning they propose i.e. that “the reduction of salivary cortisol and immunoglobulin A levels may be short term, recoverable effect of L-theanine administration.” I’ll be digging deeper into this to try and get a better understanding of these differences.
Some of the reported possible mechanisms of action
Here are some of the reported possible mechanisms of action of theanine from some studies referenced in his paper:
- via glutamate receptors (improving cognitive dysfunction)
- as a neuroprotective agent and “increases in brain serotonin, dopamine, GABA levels” (improving mood and focus and reducing anxiety)
- enhances hippocampal activity (the hippocampus has a major role in learning and memory)
- via a proposed increase in the expression of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) in the hippocampus (BDNF is a protein implicated in the stress response, long-term memory, Alzheimer’s disease, and psychiatric disorders)
Theanine or GABA – which one to use when?
I typically start my clients with a trial of GABA Calm for low GABA symptoms like physical tension, stress and overwhelm, panic attacks and insomnia. If we are not getting all the expected benefits with GABA and there is a need for added cognitive benefits then we’ll consider adding theanine too. Some folks find one works better than the other and some like a combination (at the same time or theanine in the day/GABA at night or GABA in the day/theanine at night).
I recently reached out on facebook asking: “Theanine or GABA? Which do you prefer for anxiety and why? How much helps? And any other benefits (like reduced body pain, better thinking/cognition, easing IBS gut pain, reduced cravings, less negative self-talk etc)?Or do you like a combination of both?”
As you can see from these varied responses it’s a matter or trialing both to find what works for each person’s unique needs:
- Lorraine shared this: “They are both good, but I reach for GABA Calm first.. 2 or 3 lozenges. If anxiety doesn’t leave quickly with GABA ( which works well for a panic attack), and I continue to have anxiety humming along in the background, then I’ll reach for theanine.”
- Jackie shared this: “I take 200mg theanine in morning, then 100mg GABA around 4pm, when the kids get home from school. I had a panic attack in the middle of the night last week, took GABA 100 mg, then seemed to calm down.” I asked if theanine gives her a feeling of calm focus and she said: “yes, I think so. I noticed if I take 200mg of GABA, it makes me drowsy.”
- Evelyn shared this: “I use both at night for sleep. If I could only use one it would be l-theanine.” Theanine is more consistently helpful for stress reduction and sleep for me. I use 200mg. When I use GABA it’s 500mg of chewables.”
- Sara shared this: “GABA during the day, theanine at night.”
- Karine shared this: “GABA!! The Source Naturals Theanine Serene with Holy Basil is really good. But GABA Calm (also Source Naturals which is a sublingual lozenge) is the only thing for a severe issue/episode and helps me concentrate right before an important presentation at work etc. Pure GABA from any supplier is good for long periods where you need a boost or to tone down general anxiety. I also bought a probiotic that also includes GABA (Jarrodophilus Mood) and notice it improves digestion too.”
You can find my favorite GABA/theanine combination product, a theanine-only product and my most popular GABA products on the supplements blog here (and with details for how to set up an account for my online store)
Nutritional Fundamentals for Health GABA-T SAP: 300mg GABA, 150mg theanine. This is pleasant-tasting when opened on to the tongue and works very well when GABA Calm can’t be used.
Pure Encapsulations L-Theanine: 200mg theanine. This is also pleasant-tasting when opened on to the tongue. Unlike like GABA, it can also be swallowed.
Source Naturals GABA Calm. This is a pleasant-tasting sublingual product that is my most popular and most effective form of GABA I use with my clients. It can be used in conjunction with theanine.
Enzymatic Therapy GABA: 250 mg GABA. This is also pleasant-tasting when opened on to the tongue and works very well when GABA Calm can’t be used. It can also be used in conjunction with theanine.
Please let us know … theanine or GABA: which do you prefer for anxiety and why? How much helps? And any other benefits (like reduced body pain, better thinking/cognition, easing IBS gut pain, reduced cravings, less negative self-talk etc)? Or do you like a combination of both?”
I have not tried GABA but have had decent luck with L-theanine for lowering overall anxiety levels. I have panic attacks when I go any distance by car so if I know I’ll be going out somewhere I will take 200mg on an empty stomach. It does not completely stop my anxiety but it makes it much more manageable. Btw, I love your picture of the beach. I live in Washington State but have visited the Palm Beach area and keep considering relocating down there.
Brandi
Thanks for sharing how theanine helps lowering your overall anxiety levels. With fears like car travel we also often look at low serotonin and address this with tryptophan or 5-HTP (especially when there are panic attacks). GABA (always sublingual) can also often help as an added layer for the theanine support.
I looked at GABA Calm, but saw that it had Tyrosine in it. I was concerned that it might keep me up. Is this not an issue?
I have a question for you. I am concerned if I took L-Theanine if it would cause more problems with my esophigitis and with my hiatus hernia.The reason why I am asking you this is because I bought a powder form of L-Lysine which helps with anxiety and depression. I used half a teaspoon ,added it to some boiling water once or twice a day and it flared up my esophigitis issues because L-Lysine is an essential amino acid. I am dealing with severe anxiety, social phobia and depression. I am hoping that the L-Theanine and Gaba would work for me. My doctor put me on Effeor 150mg. I am very sensitive to perscription medicatoins and the effeor causes many side effects especially with the esophigitis and stomach. I look forward to hearing from you.
Sincerely; Sandra Lukacs
Sandra
I’m not aware of GABA or theanine being an issue with esophagitis but it would be best to check with your doctor. Using the amino acids sublingually rather than swallowing them or using in water may help avoid adverse effects. I assume you mean Effexor.
Wendy
The tyrosine counters the GABA so it’s not too relaxing in the day. Interestingly many of my clients do like the GABA Calm at night too. Some folks prefer a GABA only or the GABA-theanine combination at night.
I do avoid GABA Calm when someone has melanoma or Graves (because of the tyrosine contraindications)
The title states “in healthy adults”. What are the downsides for using theanine in a healthy 16 year old? Thanks!
Cindy
I have had success with both theanine and GABA in teens and research supports sleep benefits in boys 8-12 years old with ADHD https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/22214254
I also look at all the other culprits – gluten, sugar, caffeine, IBS/SIBO, low serotonin, high cortisol low blood sugar and EMFs/too much screen time in this age group.
I’m 48 and perimenopausal with anxiety, waking up in the middle of the night and night sweats. I also have leaky gut and MTHFR mutation. I’ve tried GABA at night and Magnesium Glycinate and I ended up staying awake all night. I used l theanine with some success but if I tried to take it past 6:30 PM I’d get crazy dreams if I slept at all. Do you find some people have the opposite reaction and if so, any suggestions? Thanks!
Bette
Too high a dose of GABA can cause adverse effects/opposite effects. I start my clients on 125mg and go up from there.
When I hear “48 and perimenopausal with anxiety, waking up in the middle of the night and night sweats” I think possible low GABA, low serotonin, high estrogen, high cortisol and pyroluria. This blog may help https://www.everywomanover29.com/blog/i-have-issues-with-perimenopausal-anxiety-a-couple-of-weeks-per-month-and-dont-want-to-turn-to-ssris/
Am taking theanine 50 mg 10:00 and 10:09-11:99 pm. For sleep. As I wake in middle of night. No prob falling asleep. Can theanine be taken indefinitely? Like the dopamine effect of it. Still waking 1-2
Lynne
There is no long-term research on using theanine so we just don’t know. The research reports 200-400mg and we see this to be a good dose clinically – this can prevent the waking but I also consider low blood sugar, high cortisol and low serotonin. We also check for EMF exposure.
I love Gaba and l theanine .
But l theanine works better for me. Just wondering how much I can take a day. Currently I am taking 200 mg twice a day.
Can I take 3 times a day?
Thank you
Barbara
The research indicates 200mg twice a day but I’ve had clients use more, always starting low and increasing based on symptom resolution
I Have been taking Research Nutrition L-Theanine for a while now. I have increased my dose from 1 scoop to 2 because i had run out of my herbal sleeping tablets. It’s been working better than i expected. But i tried Tyrosine for the first time for my fatigue and brain fog. I followed directions, 1 metric teaspoon but i felt like a had 2 large full strength coffees and a Sudafed. Would GABA be better to try instead? I generally am sensitive to high doses of some nutrients or supps and drop doses in herbal tinctures
Hello i take tryptophan, gaba and magnesium byglicinate at night to sleep. I am in menopause so i rub progesterone cream on the bottom of my feet that really works well for me to sleep thru the night without waking up. I take tyrosine and theanine in morning on empty stomach to relieve my anxiety.
Trudy thanks for this info. I always appreciate your studies of medical publications to generate useful tips and info for our health. Coming from a generation above your age I seeing a lot of terms never discussed or seen in the previous century. With all the issues involving the gut, like SIBO, IBS, anxiety, etc. and a seemingly sudden rise in auto-immune diseases…IMOO, I am wondering if something else is going on with our health, perhaps in our food supply, that we are failing to understand.
I use liposomal GABA for insomnia and Bach Cherry Plum for anxious moments. I think I spend most of my days in a para-sympathetic mode but the occasional “reactions” that send me quickly into my sympathetic mode which I hate. I hate the “feelings” of nerves on edge and the seemingly inability to just stop the emotions and to control my mind.
PS- Trudy, IMO your interviews are among the best, since you are usually better prepared than your guest and ask potent and penetrating questions.
I would like to try theanine for sleep problems, anxiety and frequent panic attacks. Right now I take an ADHD medication, Concerta a time released Ritalin, 27 mg. in the morning and 18 mg. in the afternoon. Will there be any interaction between theanine and Concerta?
Arleen
I’m not aware of any reactions but it’s always best to discuss with the prescribing doctor or pharmacist
Hi Trudye,
I have had sleep issues for as long as I can remember. I am now 56 years old and for the past 6 years, it has gotten brutal to say the least. I have a terrible time falling asleep and staying asleep. I find myself waking up between 12 midnight and 3:00 am every single night! I have tried almost every sleep aid there is out there and nothing seems to work. Sometimes they work in the beginning but then they stop working. When I started following you, I started to take the Lidtke tryptophan, gaba, and L-Theanine. They helped in the beginning but they seem to have stopped working for me. I find myself waking up between midnight and 3:00am, fully alert, drenched in sweat and my heart pounding, along with a chattering mind! Last night was the worst because it seems like I didn’t get any sleep at all! Could I be taking the supplements at the wrong time? I take all of them in the evening and because I noticed that I’m a slow metabolizer/digester, I try to take them at 7:00 pm. I am at my wits end and feel like nothing can help me! Please help!
Trudy, so sorry for misspelling your name! 🙂
Andrea
Sorry to hear about the lack of sleep. Chattering mind is typical of low serotonin and/or low GABA and often more is needed and using them during the day too and/or when waking. When someone is having nightsweats we also look at high cortisol, sex hormone imbalances and parasites.
Trudy, have you had experience with clients who are on mental-health prescriptions and taking L-Theanine? I would love to get off these three prescriptions gradually.
Or is there something else you would recommend for me? (I am 79 years old.)
Catherine
When working with clients one on one we always looks at their prescription meds and I have them discuss possible interactions with the prescribing doctor.
I think the missing link in all this is magnesium. I have gotten great relief by adding a product called Remag starting slow and getting up to 3 teaspoon a day alone with GABA I think it’s making a real difference.
Tammy
I agree, low magnesium must always be addressed as must any nutritional deficiency. Glad this and GABA is helping you
I am very interested to hear that too high a dose of gaba can have the adverse effect. I had a very bad reaction to it once and my nutritionist at the time said it’s very rare but sometimes people turn gaba into glutamate? I would love to know your thoughts about this as I am unsure whether to try it again. I was taking no more than 125mg a day.
Thank you for all your information!
Rosie
It’s glutamine that can sometimes convert to glutamate but mostly converts to GABA. But too much GABA can increase anxiety, cause flushing and light-headedness. 125mg is a typical starting dose (2 or 3 x day) but my pixie dust clients start with much less and slowly build up. Adverse effects can also happen when someone doesn’t need GABA.
Have you ever (or, would you) recommended L-theanine for children? If so, what dosage would you recommend?
Natalie
I have used mostly GABA with children but my colleague and pediatric psychiataric NP likes to use theanine. There are some nice low dose chewables of 50mg available and these tend to be a good starting point (depending on age)