Combining caffeine and the relaxing amino acid L-theanine, found naturally in tea, produces synergistic effects which provide wakefulness that is calmed by the gentle effects of L-theanine.
Caffeine + L-Theanine Combination Benefits
- Supports cognitive performance (ref)*
- Promotes the benefits of caffeine without unwanted effects (ref)*
- Supports focus and attention (ref)*
- Promotes wakefulness and alertness (ref)*
- L-Theanine is General Recognized As Safe (GRAS) by U.S. FDA (ref)
Caffeine + L-Theanine Mode of Action
By combining L-theanine with caffeine, some of the undesirable side effects of caffeine use is lessened. L-Theanine is an amino acid naturally found in green, black, oolong, and white teas which promotes calm and relaxation by promoting alpha brain waves, the type of brain wave experienced before deep sleep or during meditation. L-Theanine’s calming effects reduce caffeine’s stimulatory effects without modifying caffeine’s other mechanisms for focus. L-Theanine interacts with caffeine by “taking the edge off” but allows the alertness to remain (2).
Together, Caffeine + L-Theanine may improve cognitive performance, focus, and attention because they benefit cognition synergistically.
The cognitive benefits associated with the Caffeine and L-Theanine combination were based on 50 mg caffeine to 100 mg L-Theanine. Our formula is based on a ratio of 1-part caffeine to 2 parts L-Theanine (6).
Caffeine + L-Theanine Dosage
Pure Nootropics’ Caffeine + L-Theanine provides 100 mg of caffeine and 200 mg of L-Theanine per 1 capsule. Suggested use for adults is 1 capsule by mouth once daily, or as directed by your healthcare practitioner.
Caffeine + L-Theanine Side Effects
This formula contains caffeine which is known to cause side effects and interactions with medications and some herbs. Please use responsibly and avoid if you are sensitive to caffeine. L-Theanine has GRAS status by the U.S. F.D.A. but may possibly reduce blood pressure and interactions could occur with some blood pressure medications, herbs, or other supplements. If you are taking any medications, herbs, or supplements, please consult your healthcare practitioner before beginning use of a supplement.
For further information, please see our References Tab above.
The references below are not meant to imply that any of our products treat, cure, or diagnose any disease or human condition. References to clinical studies and pre-clinical studies may use varying dosages and may not represent the dosages or subsequent results of products we sell; however, the references provided are pertinent to the subject supplement itself. References provided are intended for research and informational purposes only and do not represent the entire body of knowledge available on the subject(s) referenced; nor do they represent all possible outcomes associated with the subject(s) referenced including, but not limited to, adverse effects, precautions, or chemical interactions within the human body. The Content provided on this website is not intended to be a replacement for professional medical advice, treatment or diagnosis. Never ignore the advice of a medical professional or delay in attaining professional advice because of information or impressions you gather on this website. Choosing to rely on any information provided by the Content of this website is solely at your own risk. We encourage our audience to do their own research beyond the resources we have provided so your decision is as educated as possible.
• Supports cognitive performance*
Owen, GN, et al. “The Combined Effects of L-Theanine and Caffeine on Cognitive Performance and Mood.” Nutr Neurosci., vol. 11, no. 4, Aug. 2008, pp. 193–8., doi: https://doi.org/10.1179/147683008X301513.
• Promotes benefits of caffeine without unwanted effects*
Dodd, FL, et al. “A Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Study Evaluating the Effects of Caffeine and L-Theanine Both Alone and in Combination on Cerebral Blood Flow, Cognition and Mood.” Pyschopharmacology (Berl), vol. 232, no. 14, July 2015, pp. 2563–76., doi:10.1007/s00213-015-3895-0.
• Supports focus and attention*
Kahathuduwa, CN, et al. “l-Theanine and Caffeine Improve Target-Specific Attention to Visual Stimuli by Decreasing Mind Wandering: a Human Functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging Study.” Nutr Res., vol. 49, Jan. 2018, pp. 67–78., doi:10.1016/j.nutres.2017.11.002.
• Promotes wakefulness and alertness*
Giesbrecht, T, et al. “The Combination of L-Theanine and Caffeine Improves Cognitive Performance and Increases Subjective Alertness.” Nut, vol. 13, no. 6, Dec. 2010, pp. 283–90., doi:10.1179/147683010X12611460764840.
• General Recognized as Safe (GRAS) by U.S. FDA
“GRAS Notices.” U.S. Food & Drug Administration, www.accessdata.fda.gov/scripts/fdcc/index.cfm?set=GrASNotices&sort=Date_of_closure&order=ASC&showAll=true&type=basic&search=theanine.
1. “Theanine.” Food, Herbs & Supplements, Professional. Natural Medicines, Therapeutic Research, naturalmedicines.therapeuticresearch.com/databases/food,-herbs-supplements/professional.aspx?productid=1053.
2. Boros, Klára et al. “Theanine and Caffeine Content of Infusions Prepared from Commercial Tea Samples” Pharmacognosy magazine vol. 12,45 (2016): 75-9.
3. “Theanine,” Examine.com, published on 8 December 2013, last updated on 15 October 2018, https://examine.com/supplements/theanine/.
4. “Hippocampus.” Wikipedia, en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hippocampus.
5. “Caffeine”. Examine.com, published on Jul 26 2014, Last updated Mar 29, 2019. https://examine.com/supplements/caffeine/.
6. Evans J, Battisti AS. Caffeine. [Updated 2019 Jan 16]. In: StatPearls [Internet]. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing; 2019 Jan-. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK519490/.
7. Giesbrecht, T, et al. “The Combination of L-Theanine and Caffeine Improves Cognitive Performance and Increases Subjective Alertness.” Nut, vol. 13, no. 6, Dec. 2010, pp. 283–90., doi:10.1179/147683010X12611460764840.
8. Dodd, FL, et al. “A Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Study Evaluating the Effects of Caffeine and L-Theanine Both Alone and in Combination on Cerebral Blood Flow, Cognition and Mood.” Pyschopharmacology (Berl), vol. 232, no. 14, July 2015, pp. 2563–76., doi:10.1007/s00213-015-3895-0.
9. Kahathuduwa, CN, et al. “l-Theanine and Caffeine Improve Target-Specific Attention to Visual Stimuli by Decreasing Mind Wandering: a Human Functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging Study.” Nutr Res., vol. 49, Jan. 2018, pp. 67–78., doi:10.1016/j.nutres.2017.11.002.
10. Owen, GN, et al. “The Combined Effects of L-Theanine and Caffeine on Cognitive Performance and Mood.” Nutr Neurosci., vol. 11, no. 4, Aug. 2008, pp. 193–8., doi:doi: 10.1179/147683008X301513.
11. “Theanine.” Food, Herbs & Supplements, Professional. Natural Medicines, Therapeutic Research, naturalmedicines.therapeuticresearch.com/databases/food,-herbs-supplements/professional.aspx?productid=1053.
12. “Caffeine.” Food, Herbs & Supplements, Professional. Natural Medicines, Therapeutic Research, https://naturalmedicines.therapeuticresearch.com/databases/food,-herbs-supplements/professional.aspx?productid=979#toxicology.
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