Talk:Withania somnifera (botany): Difference between revisions

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==Pharmacology==

[[File:Withanolide_series.png|400px|thumb|Chemical structure of Withanolides found in Ashwagandha]]

Theanine is structurally similar to the excitatory [[neurotransmitter]] [[glutamate]], and in accordance, binds to glutamate [[receptor]]s, though with much lower affinity in comparison. Specifically, it binds to ionotropic glutamate receptors including the [[AMPA]] and [[kainate]] receptors and, to a lesser extent, the [[NMDA]] receptor.<ref>The neuropharmacology of L-theanine(N-ethyl-L-glutamine): a possible neuroprotective and cognitive enhancing agent (PubMed.gov / NCBI) | https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/17182482</ref><ref>Inhibition by theanine of binding of [3H]AMPA, [3H]kainate, and [3H]MDL 105,519 to glutamate receptors (PubMed.gov / NCBI) | https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/12596867</ref><ref>Neuroprotective effects of theanine and its preventive effects on cognitive dysfunction (PubMed.gov / NCBI) | https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/21477654</ref><ref>Neuroprotective effects of the green tea components theanine and catechins (PubMed.gov / NCBI) | https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/12499631</ref> It acts as an [[antagonist]] of the former two sites<ref>Neuroprotective effects of the green tea components theanine and catechins (PubMed.gov / NCBI) | https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/12499631</ref> and as an [[agonist]] of the latter site.<ref>Behavioral and molecular evidence for psychotropic effects in L-theanine (PubMed.gov / NCBI) | https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/21861094</ref> In addition, it inhibits glutamine transporters and glutamate transporters, and thus acts as [[reuptake inhibitor]] of glutamine and glutamate.<ref>Neuroprotective effects of the green tea components theanine and catechins (PubMed.gov / NCBI) | https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/12499631</ref><ref>Inhibition of glutamate transporter by theanine enhances the therapeutic efficacy of doxorubicin (PubMed.gov / NCBI) | https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/11325559</ref><ref>Theanine and glutamate transporter inhibitors enhance the antitumor efficacy of chemotherapeutic agents (PubMed.gov / NCBI) | https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/14643924</ref>

Theanine increases [[dopamine]], [[GABA]], and [[glycine]] levels in various areas of the brain.<ref>The neuropharmacology of L-theanine(N-ethyl-L-glutamine): a possible neuroprotective and cognitive enhancing agent (PubMed.gov / NCBI) | https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/17182482</ref><ref>Behavioral and molecular evidence for psychotropic effects in L-theanine (PubMed.gov / NCBI) | https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/21861094</ref><ref>Theanine, r-glutamylethylamide, increases neurotransmission concentrations and neurotrophin mRNA levels in the brain during lactation (PubMed.gov / NCBI) | https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/17904164</ref><ref>Effect of theanine, r-glutamylethylamide, on brain monoamines and striatal dopamine release in conscious rats (PubMed.gov / NCBI) | https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/9566605</ref> It also effects [[serotonin]] in a manner which is still a matter of debate in the scientific community, with separate studies showing increases and decreases in brain serotonin levels using similar experimental protocols.<ref>Effect of theanine, r-glutamylethylamide, on brain monoamines and striatal dopamine release in conscious rats (PubMed.gov / NCBI) | https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/9566605</ref><ref>Theanine-induced reduction of brain serotonin concentration in rats (PubMed.gov / NCBI) | https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/9614715</ref>

~~These various changes in neurotransmitter levels contribute to the calming and nootropic properties of theanine.~~

==Subjective effects==

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===Physical effects===

*'''[[Effect::Sedation]]''' ''and'' '''[[Effect::Stimulation]]''' - Ashwagandha ~~is mildly~~ stimulating at ~~[[Dosage#light|light]] to [[Dosage#common|common]] dosages but becomes sedating with [[Dosage#Strong|strong]]~~ dosages ~~at around 300mg~~.

*'''[[Effect::Sedation]]''' ''and'' '''[[Effect::Stimulation]]''' - Ashwagandha has sedating as well as stimulating effects on the user at all dosages.

*'''[[Effect::Muscle relaxation]]''' - at [[Dosage#Heavy|heavy]] doses, ashwagandha induces muscle relaxation ~~comparable to that of [[benzodiazepines]].~~

*'''[[Effect::Muscle relaxation]]''' - at [[Dosage#Heavy|heavy]] doses, ashwagandha induces light muscle relaxation.

*'''[[Effect::Spontaneous tactile sensations]]''' - Ashwagandha produces a physical feeling of glowing warmth that is present across the entirety of ones body. This occurs at dosages around 300mg.

===Cognitive effects===

*'''[[Effect::Anxiety suppression]]''' - Ashwagandha produces anxiolytic effects which are comparable to a mild dose of a benzodiazepine but without the accompanying [[disinhibition]].

*'''[[Effect::~~Mindfulness~~]]''' ~~- Ashwagandha induces distinctive states of mindfulness more consistently than perhaps any other known psychoactive compound.~~

*'''[[Effect::Depression reduction]]'''

*'''[[Effect::Motivation enhancement]]'''

*'''[[Effect::Thought deceleration]]'''

*'''[[Effect::Thought organization]]'''

*'''[[Effect::Perception of increased weight]]'''

*'''[[Effect::Analysis enhancement]]'''

*'''[[Effect::Focus enhancement]]'''

*'''[[Effect::~~Motivation enhancement~~]]'''

*'''[[Effect::Perception of increased weight]]'''

===Experience reports===

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==Toxicity and harm potential==

Theanine is non-addictive, is not known to cause brain damage, and has an [[Toxicity::extremely low toxicity]] relative to dose. Similar to many other [[nootropics]] drugs, there are relatively few physical side effects associated with acute theanine exposure. Various studies have shown that in reasonable doses in a careful context, it presents no negative cognitive, psychiatric or toxic physical consequences of any sort.

It is strongly recommended that one use [[responsible drug use|harm reduction practices]] when using this drug.

===Tolerance and addiction potential===

~~Theanine~~ is [[Addiction potential::not habit-forming]] ~~and the desire to use it can actually decrease with use. It is most often self-regulating.~~

Ashwaghanda is [[Addiction potential::not habit-forming]].

Tolerance to the effects of theanine are built [[Time to full tolerance::after prolonged and repeated usage]]. After that, it takes about [[Time to half tolerance::7 days]] for the tolerance to be reduced to half and [[Time to zero tolerance::14 days]] to be back at baseline (in the absence of further consumption). Theanine presents cross-tolerance with [[Cross-tolerance::no other known compounds]], meaning that after the consumption of theanine all other psychoactive compounds will not have a reduced effect.

==Legal issues==

~~Theanine is unscheduled across the world and is not known to be specifically illegal within any country.~~

*'''United Kingdom''' - It is illegal to produce, supply, or import this drug under the Psychoactive Substance Act, which came into effect on May 26th, 2016.<ref>Psychoactive Substances Act 2016 (Legislation.gov.uk) | http://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2016/2/contents/enacted</ref>

==See also==

*[[Nootropic]]

*[[Caffeine]]

*[[Glutamate]]

==External links==

@@ Line 13: / Line 13: @@
 ==Pharmacology==
 [[File:Withanolide_series.png|400px|thumb|Chemical structure of Withanolides found in Ashwagandha]]
-Theanine is structurally similar to the excitatory [[neurotransmitter]] [[glutamate]], and in accordance, binds to glutamate [[receptor]]s, though with much lower affinity in comparison. Specifically, it binds to ionotropic glutamate receptors including the [[AMPA]] and [[kainate]] receptors and, to a lesser extent, the [[NMDA]] receptor.<ref>The neuropharmacology of L-theanine(N-ethyl-L-glutamine): a possible neuroprotective and cognitive enhancing agent (PubMed.gov / NCBI) | https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/17182482</ref><ref>Inhibition by theanine of binding of [3H]AMPA, [3H]kainate, and [3H]MDL 105,519 to glutamate receptors (PubMed.gov / NCBI) | https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/12596867</ref><ref>Neuroprotective effects of theanine and its preventive effects on cognitive dysfunction (PubMed.gov / NCBI) | https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/21477654</ref><ref>Neuroprotective effects of the green tea components theanine and catechins (PubMed.gov / NCBI) | https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/12499631</ref> It acts as an [[antagonist]] of the former two sites<ref>Neuroprotective effects of the green tea components theanine and catechins (PubMed.gov / NCBI) | https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/12499631</ref> and as an [[agonist]] of the latter site.<ref>Behavioral and molecular evidence for psychotropic effects in L-theanine (PubMed.gov / NCBI) | https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/21861094</ref> In addition, it inhibits glutamine transporters and glutamate transporters, and thus acts as [[reuptake inhibitor]] of glutamine and glutamate.<ref>Neuroprotective effects of the green tea components theanine and catechins (PubMed.gov / NCBI) | https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/12499631</ref><ref>Inhibition of glutamate transporter by theanine enhances the therapeutic efficacy of doxorubicin (PubMed.gov / NCBI) | https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/11325559</ref><ref>Theanine and glutamate transporter inhibitors enhance the antitumor efficacy of chemotherapeutic agents (PubMed.gov / NCBI) | https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/14643924</ref>
-Theanine increases [[dopamine]], [[GABA]], and [[glycine]] levels in various areas of the brain.<ref>The neuropharmacology of L-theanine(N-ethyl-L-glutamine): a possible neuroprotective and cognitive enhancing agent (PubMed.gov / NCBI) | https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/17182482</ref><ref>Behavioral and molecular evidence for psychotropic effects in L-theanine (PubMed.gov / NCBI) | https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/21861094</ref><ref>Theanine, r-glutamylethylamide, increases neurotransmission concentrations and neurotrophin mRNA levels in the brain during lactation (PubMed.gov / NCBI) | https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/17904164</ref><ref>Effect of theanine, r-glutamylethylamide, on brain monoamines and striatal dopamine release in conscious rats (PubMed.gov / NCBI) | https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/9566605</ref> It also effects [[serotonin]] in a manner which is still a matter of debate in the scientific community, with separate studies showing increases and decreases in brain serotonin levels using similar experimental protocols.<ref>Effect of theanine, r-glutamylethylamide, on brain monoamines and striatal dopamine release in conscious rats (PubMed.gov / NCBI) | https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/9566605</ref><ref>Theanine-induced reduction of brain serotonin concentration in rats (PubMed.gov / NCBI) | https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/9614715</ref>
-These various changes in neurotransmitter levels contribute to the calming and nootropic properties of theanine.
 ==Subjective effects==
@@ Line 23: / Line 18: @@
 ===Physical effects===
-*'''[[Effect::Sedation]]''' ''and'' '''[[Effect::Stimulation]]''' - Ashwagandha is mildly stimulating at [[Dosage#light|light]] to [[Dosage#common|common]] dosages but becomes sedating with [[Dosage#Strong|strong]] dosages at around 300mg.
+*'''[[Effect::Sedation]]''' ''and'' '''[[Effect::Stimulation]]''' - Ashwagandha has sedating as well as stimulating effects on the user at all dosages.
-*'''[[Effect::Muscle relaxation]]''' - at [[Dosage#Heavy|heavy]] doses, ashwagandha induces muscle relaxation comparable to that of [[benzodiazepines]].
+*'''[[Effect::Muscle relaxation]]''' - at [[Dosage#Heavy|heavy]] doses, ashwagandha induces light muscle relaxation.
-*'''[[Effect::Spontaneous tactile sensations]]''' - Ashwagandha produces a physical feeling of glowing warmth that is present across the entirety of ones body. This occurs at dosages around 300mg.
 ===Cognitive effects===
 *'''[[Effect::Anxiety suppression]]''' - Ashwagandha produces anxiolytic effects which are comparable to a mild dose of a benzodiazepine but without the accompanying [[disinhibition]].
-*'''[[Effect::Mindfulness]]''' - Ashwagandha induces distinctive states of mindfulness more consistently than perhaps any other known psychoactive compound.
+*'''[[Effect::Depression reduction]]'''
+*'''[[Effect::Motivation enhancement]]'''
 *'''[[Effect::Thought deceleration]]'''
 *'''[[Effect::Thought organization]]'''
-*'''[[Effect::Perception of increased weight]]'''
 *'''[[Effect::Analysis enhancement]]'''
 *'''[[Effect::Focus enhancement]]'''
-*'''[[Effect::Motivation enhancement]]'''
+*'''[[Effect::Perception of increased weight]]'''
 ===Experience reports===
@@ Line 42: / Line 36: @@
 ==Toxicity and harm potential==
-Theanine is non-addictive, is not known to cause brain damage, and has an [[Toxicity::extremely low toxicity]] relative to dose. Similar to many other [[nootropics]] drugs, there are relatively few physical side effects associated with acute theanine exposure. Various studies have shown that in reasonable doses in a careful context, it presents no negative cognitive, psychiatric or toxic physical consequences of any sort.
 It is strongly recommended that one use [[responsible drug use|harm reduction practices]] when using this drug.
 ===Tolerance and addiction potential===
-Theanine is [[Addiction potential::not habit-forming]] and the desire to use it can actually decrease with use. It is most often self-regulating.
+Ashwaghanda is [[Addiction potential::not habit-forming]].
-Tolerance to the effects of theanine are built [[Time to full tolerance::after prolonged and repeated usage]]. After that, it takes about [[Time to half tolerance::7 days]] for the tolerance to be reduced to half and [[Time to zero tolerance::14 days]] to be back at baseline (in the absence of further consumption). Theanine presents cross-tolerance with [[Cross-tolerance::no other known compounds]], meaning that after the consumption of theanine all other psychoactive compounds will not have a reduced effect.
 ==Legal issues==
 {{LegalStub}}
-Theanine is unscheduled across the world and is not known to be specifically illegal within any country.
-*'''United Kingdom''' - It is illegal to produce, supply, or import this drug under the Psychoactive Substance Act, which came into effect on May 26th, 2016.<ref>Psychoactive Substances Act 2016 (Legislation.gov.uk) | http://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2016/2/contents/enacted</ref>
 ==See also==
 *[[Nootropic]]
-*[[Caffeine]]
-*[[Glutamate]]
 ==External links==