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. (PubMed.gov / NCBI) | 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 (PubMed.gov / NCBI) | http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/15378679</ref><ref>L-Theanine reduces psychological and physiological stress responses (PubMed.gov / NCBI) | 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 (PubMed.gov / NCBI) | 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 (PubMed.gov / NCBI) | http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/22326943</ref><ref>Acute effects of theanine, caffeine and theanine-caffeine combination on attention (PubMed.gov / NCBI) | 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::Anxiety suppression]]''' - Theanine 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::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. | 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::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::Thought deceleration]]'''

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

@@ 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. (PubMed.gov / NCBI) | 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 (PubMed.gov / NCBI) | http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/15378679</ref><ref>L-Theanine reduces psychological and physiological stress responses (PubMed.gov / NCBI) | 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 (PubMed.gov / NCBI) | 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 (PubMed.gov / NCBI) | http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/22326943</ref><ref>Acute effects of theanine, caffeine and theanine-caffeine combination on attention (PubMed.gov / NCBI) | 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 29: / Line 29: @@
 *'''[[Effect::Anxiety suppression]]''' - Theanine 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::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. | 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::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::Thought deceleration]]'''
 *'''[[Effect::Thought organization]]'''