Why L-Theanine is a Superfood

Need to Knows on L-Theanine:

• L-theanine is an amino acid found in different types of tea and mushrooms.
• It’s received praise by the medical community for being one of the most effective natural remedies for increasing focus and reducing feelings of stress and anxiety. 
• Studies have shown that it’s effective within an hour of ingesting and can provide relief for 8-10 hours.

Why L-Theanine is like Nature's Adderall

Many people reach for tea instead of coffee in the morning because it helps them feel calmer and focused.

In 1949, scientists in Japan figured out what gave tea these positive effects: an amino acid called l-theanine which research shows can relax the mind while enhancing concentration, productivity, mood, cognitive function, and mental stamina.

Dr. Michael Breus, a clinical psychologist, says, “​​L-theanine can increase attention span and reaction time in people who are prone to anxiety. It may help improve accuracy—one study shows that taking l-theanine reduced the number of errors made in a test of attention.”

Many people refer to l-theanine as the “meditation compound” because it boosts “alpha brain waves,” which induce a feeling of relaxation that can be observed during meditation.

Because of l-theanine’s ability to enhance focus while calming the mind without causing drowsiness, researchers are studying whether it can act as a natural alternative to Adderall and Xanax for those suffering from anxiety and ADD.

Clinical Studies on L-Theanine's Effectiveness

L-theanine is one of the few natural remedies backed by solid research. There have been over 63 studies proving its efficacy as a tool for focus, stress, anxiety, immunity, and more. 

L-Theanine's Focus Enhancing Properties

Studies have found that, when combined with caffeine, l-theanine can enhance focus, alertness, and cognitive performance during demanding tasks. 

In one double-blind placebo-controlled study, researchers looked at how the caffeine and l-theanine combination affected people’s ability to maintain focus during monotonous tasks over long periods of time (think: plugging data into spreadsheets for an 8-hour shift). Those who were treated with a placebo produced significantly more errors in their tasks than those who consumed l-theanine.

Another study found that the l-theanine alone increased attention performance and reaction time response in people prone to having high anxiety.

How L-Theanine Acts to Reduce Stress and Anxiety

Clinical research suggests that l-theanine is effective in reducing the physiological effects of the stress response and experience of anxiety by reducing cortisol, your body’s stress hormone. It does this by increasing GABA levels, a neurotransmitter in your brain, which is associated with calmer mental states.

There is also some evidence that l-theanine can be as effective as some of the most effective anti-anxiety drugs. Researchers have found l-theanine to be as effective as Xanax in improving a sense of relaxation but lacks the habit-forming properties of Xanax.

Dosage Recommendations to Maximize L-Theanine's effects

L-theanine is typically taken at a dose of 50 to 200mg, and its effects often last for 8-10 hours. More severe cases of anxiety can require doses up to 800mg daily taken in increments of 100 to 200mg.

Even with the wide range of dosages used in different studies, l-theanine is well tolerated and there have been no confirmed side effects of using too much of it. 

How L-Theanine Works as a Superfood

If you are looking for a tool to enhance focus and reduce stress or anxiety, then l-theanine would be a great addition to your routine. It is one of the most studied and scientifically-revered natural remedies for its ability to enhance focus and induce relaxation without causing drowsiness. 

Try l-theanine today by shopping for one of our instant superfood lattes like our cacao latte or turmeric latte. The lattes are infused with clinically-effective levels of guarana, l-theanine and gaba to support energy, focus, and a calm mind. 

Blossom infused clinically-effective levels of guarana, l-theanine and gaba into our superfood lattes to provide you with a functional coffee alternative.