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Talk:Withania somnifera (botany): Difference between revisions

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{{BotanyBox/Withania somnifera}}
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'''Withania somnifera''' (Commonly known as '''Ashwagandha''', '''Indian ginseng''', '''Poison gooseberry''' and '''Winter cherry''') is an adaptogenic<ref>Withania somnifera: an Indian ginseng. |http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/17959291</ref> plant in the ''Solanaceae'' or Nightshade family that is used as a herbal treatment in Ayurvedic medicine. Ashwagandha contains flavonoids such as Withanolide A and Withaferin-A, which are believed to be responsible for Ashwagandha's psychoactive properties.
'''''Withania somnifera''''' (Commonly known as '''Ashwagandha''', '''Indian ginseng''', '''Poison gooseberry''' and '''Winter cherry''') is an adaptogenic<ref>Withania somnifera: an Indian ginseng. |http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/17959291</ref> plant in the ''Solanaceae'' or Nightshade family that is used as a herbal treatment in Ayurvedic medicine. Ashwagandha contains flavonoids such as Withanolide A and Withaferin-A, which are believed to be responsible for Ashwagandha's psychoactive properties.


Ashwagandha has been well-researched for a multitude of health benefits, including [[anxiety suppression|anxiety reduction]]<ref> Naturopathic care for anxiety: a randomized controlled trial ISRCTN78958974. | http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/19718255</ref>, stress reduction<ref>A prospective, randomized double-blind, placebo-controlled study of safety and efficacy of a high-concentration full-spectrum extract of ashwagandha root in reducing stress and anxiety in adults. | http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/23439798</ref>, physical performance enhancing<ref>Effects of Withania somnifera (Ashwagandha) and Terminalia arjuna (Arjuna) on physical performance and cardiorespiratory endurance in healthy young adults. | http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/21170205</ref><ref>Examining the effect of Withania somnifera supplementation on muscle strength and recovery: a randomized controlled trial.| http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/26609282</ref>, depression relief<ref>A double-blind, placebo-controlled evaluation of the anxiolytic efficacy of an ethanolic extract of withania somnifera. | http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/21407960 </ref>, and fatigue relief<ref>Naturopathic care for anxiety: a randomized controlled trial ISRCTN78958974. | http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/19718255</ref>.
Ashwagandha has been well-researched for a multitude of health benefits, including [[anxiety suppression|anxiety reduction]]<ref> Naturopathic care for anxiety: a randomized controlled trial ISRCTN78958974. | http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/19718255</ref>, stress reduction<ref>A prospective, randomized double-blind, placebo-controlled study of safety and efficacy of a high-concentration full-spectrum extract of ashwagandha root in reducing stress and anxiety in adults. | http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/23439798</ref>, physical performance enhancing<ref>Effects of Withania somnifera (Ashwagandha) and Terminalia arjuna (Arjuna) on physical performance and cardiorespiratory endurance in healthy young adults. | http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/21170205</ref><ref>Examining the effect of Withania somnifera supplementation on muscle strength and recovery: a randomized controlled trial.| http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/26609282</ref>, depression relief<ref>A double-blind, placebo-controlled evaluation of the anxiolytic efficacy of an ethanolic extract of withania somnifera. | http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/21407960 </ref>, and fatigue relief<ref>Naturopathic care for anxiety: a randomized controlled trial ISRCTN78958974. | http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/19718255</ref>.
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==Pharmacology==
==Pharmacology==
[[File:Withanolide_series.png|400px|thumb|Chemical structure of Withanolides found in Ashwagandha]]
[[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==
==Subjective effects==
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===Physical effects===
===Physical effects===
*'''[[Effect::Sedation]]''' ''and'' '''[[Effect::Stimulation]]''' - Theanine 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, theanine 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]]''' - Theanine produces a physical feeling of glowing warmth that is present across the entirety of ones body. This occurs at dosages around 300mg.


===Cognitive effects===
===Cognitive effects===
*'''[[Effect::Anxiety suppression]]''' - Theanine produces anxiolytic effects which are comparable to a mild dose of a benzodiazepine but without the accompanying [[disinhibition]].  
*'''[[Effect::Anxiety suppression]]''' - Ashwagandha produces anxiolytic effects which are comparable to a mild dose of a benzodiazepine but without the accompanying [[disinhibition]].  
*'''[[Effect::Mindfulness]]''' - Theanine induces distinctive states of mindfulness more consistently than perhaps any other known psychoactive compound.
*'''[[Effect::Depression reduction]]'''  
*'''[[Effect::Memory enhancement]]'''<ref>A combination of green tea extract and l-theanine improves memory and attention in subjects with mild cognitive impairment: a double-blind placebo-controlled study. (PubMed.gov / NCBI) | http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/21303262</ref> - Theanine has been shown to improve memory and attention in subjects with mild cognitive impairments.
*'''[[Effect::Motivation enhancement]]'''
*'''[[Effect::Thought deceleration]]'''  
*'''[[Effect::Thought deceleration]]'''  
*'''[[Effect::Thought organization]]'''
*'''[[Effect::Thought organization]]'''
*'''[[Effect::Perception of increased weight]]'''
*'''[[Effect::Analysis enhancement]]'''
*'''[[Effect::Analysis enhancement]]'''
*'''[[Effect::Focus enhancement]]'''
*'''[[Effect::Focus enhancement]]'''
*'''[[Effect::Motivation enhancement]]'''
*'''[[Effect::Perception of increased weight]]'''
 
===Experience reports===
There are currently no anecdotal reports which describe the effects of this compound within our [[experience index]]. Additional experience reports can be found here:
* [https://www.erowid.org/experiences/subs/exp_Ashwagandha.shtml Erowid Experience Vaults: Ashwagandha]


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


===Tolerance and addiction potential===
===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==
==Legal issues==
{{LegalStub}}
{{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==
==See also==
*[[Nootropic]]
*[[Nootropic]]
*[[Caffeine]]
*[[Glutamate]]


==External links==
==External links==
*[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Theanine Theanine (Wikipedia)]
*[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Withania_somnifera Withania somnifera (Wikipedia)]
*[https://examine.com/supplements/theanine/ Theanine (Examine)]
*[https://www.reddit.com/r/nootropics/wiki/beginners#wiki_ashwagandha Ashwagandha (r/Nootropics FAQ)]


==References==
==References==
{{reflist|2}}
{{reflist|2}}


[[Category:Botany]]
[[Category:Plant]]
[[Category:Solanaceae (family)]]
[[Category:Solanaceae (family)]]
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