Theanine: Difference between revisions

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'''Theanine''', also known as '''L-Theanine''', '''L-γ-glutamylethylamide''' and '''N5-ethyl-L-glutamine''', is an [[chemical class::amino acid analogue]] of [[glutamate]] and [[glutamine]]. It was discovered as a constituent of green tea in 1949 and in 1950 was isolated from gyokuro leaves, which have high theanine content.<ref>Components of Gyokuro | http://www.ippodo-tea.co.jp/en/tea/gyokuro_02.html</ref> Appearance of the name "theanine" without a prefix is understood to imply the L-[[enantiomer]], which is the form found in fresh teas and in some, but not all dietary supplements. The opposite D-enantiomer has far less studied pharmacologic properties, but is present in racemic chemical preparations, and substantially in some studied theanine supplements.

This compound is used as a [[psychoactive class::nootropic]] for its calming and relaxing properties. It is often taken in combination with [[caffeine]] as it has been shown to mitigate its negative aspects, such as [[anxiety]], [[increased blood pressure]] and [[wakefulness|diminished sleep quality]], while possibly improving upon the positive aspects.<ref>The effects of L-theanine (Suntheanine®) on objective sleep quality in boys with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD): a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial. | http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/22214254</ref><ref>The acute effects of L-theanine in comparison with alprazolam on anticipatory anxiety in humans | http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/15378679</ref><ref>L-Theanine reduces psychological and physiological stress responses | http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/16930802</ref><ref>Acute effects of theanine, caffeine and theanine-caffeine combination on attention | www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/26869148</ref> Its ability to enhance attention has been repeatedly verified.<ref>The combined effects of L-theanine and caffeine on cognitive performance and mood | https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/18681988</ref><ref>The effects of L-theanine, caffeine and their combination on cognition and mood | https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/18006208</ref><ref>L-theanine and caffeine improve task switching but not intersensory attention or subjective alertness | https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/20079786</ref><ref>L-theanine and caffeine in combination affect human cognition as evidenced by oscillatory alpha-band activity and attention task performance | http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/18641209</ref><ref>The combination of L-theanine and caffeine improves cognitive performance and increases subjective alertness | https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/21040626</ref><ref>Assessing the effects of caffeine and theanine on the maintenance of vigilance during a sustained attention task | http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/22326943</ref><ref>Acute effects of theanine, caffeine and theanine-caffeine combination on attention | http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/26869148 </ref> A recent systematic review of the effects of ~~Theanine~~ and caffeine has confirmed that the combination seems to improve aspects of attention.<ref>Acute effects of tea constituents L-theanine, caffeine, and epigallocatechin gallate on cognitive function and mood: a systematic review and meta-analysis | www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/24946991</ref> The combination of L-theanine and caffeine may improve attention more than caffeine alone.<ref>The combined effects of L-theanine and caffeine on cognitive performance and mood | https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/18681988</ref><ref>The effects of L-theanine, caffeine and their combination on cognition and mood | https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/18006208</ref>

This compound is used as a [[psychoactive class::nootropic]] for its calming and relaxing properties. It is often taken in combination with [[caffeine]] as it has been shown to mitigate its negative aspects, such as [[anxiety]], [[increased blood pressure]] and [[wakefulness|diminished sleep quality]], while possibly improving upon the positive aspects.<ref>The effects of L-theanine (Suntheanine®) on objective sleep quality in boys with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD): a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial. | http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/22214254</ref><ref>The acute effects of L-theanine in comparison with alprazolam on anticipatory anxiety in humans | http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/15378679</ref><ref>L-Theanine reduces psychological and physiological stress responses | http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/16930802</ref><ref>Acute effects of theanine, caffeine and theanine-caffeine combination on attention | www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/26869148</ref> Its ability to enhance attention has been repeatedly verified.<ref>The combined effects of L-theanine and caffeine on cognitive performance and mood | https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/18681988</ref><ref>The effects of L-theanine, caffeine and their combination on cognition and mood | https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/18006208</ref><ref>L-theanine and caffeine improve task switching but not intersensory attention or subjective alertness | https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/20079786</ref><ref>L-theanine and caffeine in combination affect human cognition as evidenced by oscillatory alpha-band activity and attention task performance | http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/18641209</ref><ref>The combination of L-theanine and caffeine improves cognitive performance and increases subjective alertness | https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/21040626</ref><ref>Assessing the effects of caffeine and theanine on the maintenance of vigilance during a sustained attention task | http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/22326943</ref><ref>Acute effects of theanine, caffeine and theanine-caffeine combination on attention | http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/26869148 </ref> A recent systematic review of the effects of theanine and caffeine has confirmed that the combination seems to improve aspects of attention.<ref>Acute effects of tea constituents L-theanine, caffeine, and epigallocatechin gallate on cognitive function and mood: a systematic review and meta-analysis | www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/24946991</ref> The combination of L-theanine and caffeine may improve attention more than caffeine alone.<ref>The combined effects of L-theanine and caffeine on cognitive performance and mood | https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/18681988</ref><ref>The effects of L-theanine, caffeine and their combination on cognition and mood | https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/18006208</ref>

==Chemistry==

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

*'''[[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.

*'''[[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===

@@ Line 8: / Line 8: @@
 '''Theanine''', also known as '''L-Theanine''', '''L-γ-glutamylethylamide''' and '''N5-ethyl-L-glutamine''', is an [[chemical class::amino acid analogue]] of [[glutamate]] and [[glutamine]]. It was discovered as a constituent of green tea in 1949 and in 1950 was isolated from gyokuro leaves, which have high theanine content.<ref>Components of Gyokuro | http://www.ippodo-tea.co.jp/en/tea/gyokuro_02.html</ref> Appearance of the name "theanine" without a prefix is understood to imply the L-[[enantiomer]], which is the form found in fresh teas and in some, but not all dietary supplements. The opposite D-enantiomer has far less studied pharmacologic properties, but is present in racemic chemical preparations, and substantially in some studied theanine supplements.
-This compound is used as a [[psychoactive class::nootropic]] for its calming and relaxing properties. It is often taken in combination with [[caffeine]] as it has been shown to mitigate its negative aspects, such as [[anxiety]], [[increased blood pressure]] and [[wakefulness|diminished sleep quality]], while possibly improving upon the positive aspects.<ref>The effects of L-theanine (Suntheanine®) on objective sleep quality in boys with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD): a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial. | http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/22214254</ref><ref>The acute effects of L-theanine in comparison with alprazolam on anticipatory anxiety in humans | http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/15378679</ref><ref>L-Theanine reduces psychological and physiological stress responses | http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/16930802</ref><ref>Acute effects of theanine, caffeine and theanine-caffeine combination on attention | www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/26869148</ref> Its ability to enhance attention has been repeatedly verified.<ref>The combined effects of L-theanine and caffeine on cognitive performance and mood | https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/18681988</ref><ref>The effects of L-theanine, caffeine and their combination on cognition and mood | https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/18006208</ref><ref>L-theanine and caffeine improve task switching but not intersensory attention or subjective alertness | https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/20079786</ref><ref>L-theanine and caffeine in combination affect human cognition as evidenced by oscillatory alpha-band activity and attention task performance | http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/18641209</ref><ref>The combination of L-theanine and caffeine improves cognitive performance and increases subjective alertness | https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/21040626</ref><ref>Assessing the effects of caffeine and theanine on the maintenance of vigilance during a sustained attention task | http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/22326943</ref><ref>Acute effects of theanine, caffeine and theanine-caffeine combination on attention | http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/26869148 </ref> A recent systematic review of the effects of Theanine and caffeine has confirmed that the combination seems to improve aspects of attention.<ref>Acute effects of tea constituents L-theanine, caffeine, and epigallocatechin gallate on cognitive function and mood: a systematic review and meta-analysis | www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/24946991</ref> The combination of L-theanine and caffeine may improve attention more than caffeine alone.<ref>The combined effects of L-theanine and caffeine on cognitive performance and mood | https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/18681988</ref><ref>The effects of L-theanine, caffeine and their combination on cognition and mood | https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/18006208</ref>
+This compound is used as a [[psychoactive class::nootropic]] for its calming and relaxing properties. It is often taken in combination with [[caffeine]] as it has been shown to mitigate its negative aspects, such as [[anxiety]], [[increased blood pressure]] and [[wakefulness|diminished sleep quality]], while possibly improving upon the positive aspects.<ref>The effects of L-theanine (Suntheanine®) on objective sleep quality in boys with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD): a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial. | http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/22214254</ref><ref>The acute effects of L-theanine in comparison with alprazolam on anticipatory anxiety in humans | http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/15378679</ref><ref>L-Theanine reduces psychological and physiological stress responses | http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/16930802</ref><ref>Acute effects of theanine, caffeine and theanine-caffeine combination on attention | www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/26869148</ref> Its ability to enhance attention has been repeatedly verified.<ref>The combined effects of L-theanine and caffeine on cognitive performance and mood | https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/18681988</ref><ref>The effects of L-theanine, caffeine and their combination on cognition and mood | https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/18006208</ref><ref>L-theanine and caffeine improve task switching but not intersensory attention or subjective alertness | https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/20079786</ref><ref>L-theanine and caffeine in combination affect human cognition as evidenced by oscillatory alpha-band activity and attention task performance | http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/18641209</ref><ref>The combination of L-theanine and caffeine improves cognitive performance and increases subjective alertness | https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/21040626</ref><ref>Assessing the effects of caffeine and theanine on the maintenance of vigilance during a sustained attention task | http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/22326943</ref><ref>Acute effects of theanine, caffeine and theanine-caffeine combination on attention | http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/26869148 </ref> A recent systematic review of the effects of theanine and caffeine has confirmed that the combination seems to improve aspects of attention.<ref>Acute effects of tea constituents L-theanine, caffeine, and epigallocatechin gallate on cognitive function and mood: a systematic review and meta-analysis | www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/24946991</ref> The combination of L-theanine and caffeine may improve attention more than caffeine alone.<ref>The combined effects of L-theanine and caffeine on cognitive performance and mood | https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/18681988</ref><ref>The effects of L-theanine, caffeine and their combination on cognition and mood | https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/18006208</ref>
 ==Chemistry==
@@ Line 24: / Line 24: @@
 *'''[[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::Muscle relaxation]]''' - at [[Dosage#Heavy|heavy]] doses, theanine induces muscle relaxation comparable to that of [[benzodiazepines]].
-*'''[[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.
+*'''[[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===