L-Theanine
L-Theanine
Keep Calm and Carry On…
Life too much? Feel like you’re constantly in a spin? Battling stress and anxiety on a minute by minute basis? Can’t catch your breath?
L-Theanine is a nootropic, or smart drug, and an amino acid (the building blocks of life) found primarily in green tea leaves, but can also be found in some mushrooms. Research shows that nootropics enhance cognitive function, particularly aspects such as memory, focus, creativity, and mood without causing drowsiness. L -Theanine is known for its calming effect on the brain and body and it works by influencing neurotransmitters in the brain, namely GABA, serotonin and dopamine. It’s powerful stuff and not to be sniffed at.
Why do we need GABA, serotonin and dopamine?
GABA is the unsung hero that keeps your mental party from turning into a full-blown rager. GABA helps regulate anxiety, stress, and mood by preventing neurotransmitters from becoming over excited, which can lead to impulsive or erratic behaviour. It helps us to find peace and quiet when life becomes overwrought and a bit bonkers.
Serotonin is like the chill pill of the body, the zen master of the brain; it’s the molecule that puts the “ooom” in “ooommm”. Serotonin is often referred to as the "feel-good" neurotransmitter because it contributes to feelings of happiness and well-being. By enhancing serotonin activity, L-theanine can help promote a positive mood and reduce feelings of anxiety and stress. Yes please, L-Theanine!
Dopamine is like the body’s own personal hype-man. It’s the chemical that high-fives your brain cells and says, “You got this!” It’s involved in regulating mood, motivation, and pleasure. By influencing dopamine activity, L-theanine can help improve focus, attention, and cognitive function, whilst kicking those pesky feelings of anxiety and stress to the curb!
L-Theanine 101
Myths & Facts
Feeling stressed is normal when you’re a grown up.
Stress triggers cortisol, leading to potential health issues like hypertension, weakened immunity, and mental health disorders. Chronic stress can also cause digestive problems, memory impairment, and weight gain, increasing the risk of certain cancers. However, L-Theanine counters stress by boosting GABA, promoting relaxation, and reducing anxiety through serotonin and dopamine. It improves sleep by calming the mind and enhances cognitive function by stimulating alpha brain waves, aiding attention and memory. Thus, L-Theanine offers a natural way to manage stress and its associated health risks effectively.
Anxiety is just a symptom of menopause that I have to deal with.
Menopause can heighten anxiety due to oestrogen fluctuations, impacting mood and confidence. This hormonal shift can cause excessive worry and mood swings. Yet, L-theanine offers relief by reducing cortisol and enhancing GABA levels, which calms overactive neurotransmitters. This helps manage stress, promotes resilience, and improves sleep by fostering relaxation. L-theanine also boosts mood-regulating neurotransmitters like serotonin and dopamine, providing a balanced approach to the emotional challenges of menopause.
Sleep evades me because I’m getting older.
Sleep is vital for physical and mental well-being, aiding in repair, growth, and immune function, while enhancing memory, creativity, and mood stability. It regulates hormones affecting appetite and stress, thus preventing various health issues. Aging and hormonal changes can disrupt sleep patterns, leading to symptoms like hot flashes and mood swings. L-Theanine can help by promoting relaxation without drowsiness, increasing GABA levels, and modulating neurotransmitters like serotonin and dopamine. This reduces stress and anxiety, improves mood, and encourages deeper sleep stages, resulting in more restorative sleep and better alertness upon waking..
Kids can’t supplement with L- Theanine.
L-Theanine is a natural aid that helps reduce stress and anxiety in children, making it a valuable tool during their developmental years. It’s a non-sedative option preferred by parents over synthetic alternatives. Research indicates it may improve learning and behaviour, particularly benefiting those with ADHD. L-Theanine enhances focus, attention during studies, and sleep quality, contributing to overall growth and well-being. Children taking L-Theanine may feel calmer, less impulsive, and more resilient, embodying the qualities desired for healthy development.
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L-Theanine Benefits
Increases levels of neurotransmitters like GABA, which inhibits an over excited central nervous system, leaving relaxation and calmness in its wake.
Increases levels of serotonin and dopamine resulting in a more balanced mood and reducing stress levels.
Promoted alpha brain wave activity, which is associated with a state of relaxed alertness, enhancing mental clarity and concentration. May be particularly beneficial for people ADHD.
Promotes relaxation and reduces stress and anxiety levels; therefore, supporting sleep onset and duration.
By promoting optimal brain function and reducing distractions or interference from stress and anxiety, L-theanine can enhance cognitive performance, including memory, learning, and problem-solving
By increasing levels of serotonin and dopamine, a more balanced mood and less stress-induced mood swings occur.
WillPowders Calm
L-Theanine
Grab some CALM in your day; reduce stress, anxiety, insomnia and reduce the jitters.
The WillPowders Community: The For Fats Sake Facebook Group #FFS
The FFS Facebook Community have found their calm and the WillPowders customers rave about our L-Theanine.
"Can't Be Without Them! I love these. I've even been dishing them out to my stressed out mum friends in the playground when we pick up the kids like some sort of healthy drug dealer! Takes the edge off any stressful situation"
– Sallyanne M
"L - Theanine Is The New Calm. I love this product because I normally experience anxiety when driving on certain parts of the motorway and after taking two of these; voila! No anxiety ❤️ Thank you Davina and Willpowders!"
– Catherine M
"Really Work. Bought these for my son who is really struggling with anxiety and sleeping. These work, he loves them, he feels less anxious, in control and he's sleeping better...Bravo"
– Catherine T
"Feeling Calm… Another great product. I have only been taking Calm-L-Theanine for 1 month, but have ordered another bottle. I do feel like I am less 'shouty' in the mornings, my kids are happy! I think I need to take them longer, but I am starting to feel the benefits."
– Lara L
"Menapause Wonder. Omg been taking calm for about 2 months now and can’t go without them … takes the edge off that menopausal anxiety … 100% would recommend"
– Zoe E
L-Theanine FAQs
L-Theanine Benefits?
L-theanine, an amino acid found in tea leaves, offers various potential benefits: L Theanine is known for its calming effects, L-theanine can help reduce stress and anxiety without causing drowsiness. It can enhance cognitive function by increasing alpha brain waves, promoting a state of relaxed alertness. L-theanine may improve sleep quality by reducing anxiety and promoting relaxation. It can help mitigate the negative effects of stress on the body and mind. Some studies suggest that L-theanine may help lower blood pressure and reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease.
What is L-Theanine?
L-theanine is an amino acid naturally found in tea leaves, particularly in green tea. It is known for its calming effects and is often used to promote relaxation, reduce stress and anxiety, improve focus, and support sleep quality. L-theanine is believed to work by increasing levels of certain neurotransmitters in the brain, such as GABA and dopamine, which contribute to its various benefits.
When should I take L-Theanine?
L-theanine can be taken at various times depending on your goals.
Take it during periods of high stress or anxiety, such as before a stressful event or as needed throughout the day to promote calmness.
Take it in the morning or whenever you need to enhance alertness and concentration, such as before studying or working on demanding tasks.
Take it in the evening, around 30 minutes to an hour before bedtime, to promote relaxation and improve sleep quality.
Ultimately, the best time to take L-theanine depends on your individual needs and how you respond to the supplement. It's often taken with or without food, as it doesn't typically cause drowsiness or interact with food.
L-Theanine and sleep?
Yes, L-theanine is often used to support sleep and improve sleep quality. It promotes relaxation and reduces anxiety, which can help calm the mind and prepare the body for sleep. By increasing levels of neurotransmitters like GABA and dopamine in the brain, L-theanine can create a sense of calmness without causing drowsiness. Additionally, some studies suggest that L-theanine may help improve sleep duration and efficiency, making it a popular choice for those looking to enhance their sleep quality naturally.
Can I give L-Theanine to my kids?
L-theanine is generally considered safe for children when taken at appropriate doses. L-theanine is a natural compound found in tea leaves and is generally well-tolerated.
L-Theanine Studies
Effects of L-Theanine Administration on Stress-Related Symptoms and Cognitive Functions in Healthy Adults: A Randomized Controlled Trial
L-theanine may be of use for improving cognitive function and reducing anxiety.
‘Stress-related symptoms (i.e., depression, anxiety-trait, and sleep) scores decreased and cognitive function (i.e., verbal fluency and executive function) scores improved after four weeks of L-theanine administration. The reduction in sleep quality problems (disturbances in sleep latency, sleep disturbance, and use of sleep medication) was greater in the L-theanine administration compared to the placebo administration, while verbal fluency, especially letter fluency, was improved in the L-theanine administration among individuals who showed relatively low performance at pretreatment. Moreover, L-theanine administration was safe and well complied with. Therefore, L-theanine may be a suitable nutraceutical ingredient for improving mental conditions in a healthy population.’
Published: 2019 Oct; 11(10): 2362. Published online 2019 Oct 3. doi: 10.3390/nu11102362
Citation: Nutrients.
The Cognitive-Enhancing Outcomes of Caffeine and L-Theanine: A Systematic Review.
If we can, we like to bring you peer reviewed science first as it’s the scientific equivalent of wearing your Vivienne Westwood belt and your Michael Kors braces to keep your pants up! Who better to review scientific research than, well, other scientists?
- In 2021, peer reviewed science into the cognitive enhancing outcomes of caffeine and L theanine conducted over a range of studies of those experiencing ADHD highlighted favourable clinical importance in areas of attention, memory, cognition, and hyperactivity.
- The conclusions drawn were that, overall, the combination of L-theanine and caffeine is ‘likely a safe and effective cognitive enhancer.’
Date Published: 2021 Dec 30
Authors: Anas Sohail A, Ortiz F, Varghese T, Fabara SP, Batth AS, Sandesara DP, Sabir A, Khurana M, Datta S, Patel UK.
Psychotropic effects of L-Theanine and its clinical properties: From the management of anxiety and stress to a potential use in schizophrenia, Pharmacological Research
If you need to calm down, what better than L-theanine?
‘Overall, several studies have shown that the administration of L-theanine
improved anxiety and stress outcomes, alongside improvements in other manifestations such as depression and psychopathological symptoms (Table 1).
Such findings were obtained through the employment of several validated psychometric tools, including the Hamilton Anxiety Rating Scale (HARS), Tension Anxiety Scores, Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI), Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale (PANSS) [24,25], and others.’
Date Published: 2019
Authors: Filipe Lopes Sakamoto, Rodrigo Metzker Pereira Ribeiro, Allain Amador Bueno, Heitor Oliveira Santos
