calm anxiety with suntheanine

[Scott]

If you're feeling tense, giving up caffeine is generally a good idea. But a compound called L-theanine-- extracted from caffeine-rich green tea-- appears to be a potent antidote to stress and anxiety, helping to calm both body and mind. In addition, a highly concentrated form of l-theanine, called Suntheanine, has been shown to ease PMS symptoms and can help you get a good night's sleep.

With approximately 30mg of caffeine per cup, researchers have long wondered why green tea creates calmness instead of the jitters. Their curiosity led to the discovery of the relaxing properties of l-theanine, a compound found in tea leaves that was previously thought to simply give green tea its unique flavor. Because l-theanine accounts for less than 2% of the weight of dried tea leaves, you would have to drink six to eight cups of high-quality green tea to obtain a significant mood-altering dose; many brands of green tea sold in the u.s. don't contain any of the compound. To solve this dilema, Japanese researchers have developed a unique patented enzymatic process to concentrate l-theanine, creating a product called Suntheanine.

HOW IT WORKS
L-theanine is a derivative of glutamic acid, a neurotransmitter found in the brain. It's readily absorbed by the brain, where it influences brain chemicals that determine mood, including gamma aminobutyric acid (gaba), dopamine and seratonin. Unlike many drugs prescribed to calm anxiety, l-theanine doesn't cause drowsiness or interfere with mental sharpness. In fact, it improves concentration and focus.

To quantify the effects of Suntheanine, researchers measured brain wave activity. They found that Suntheanine stimulates the production of alpha waves, an indicator of relaxed alertness-- the same state that occurs with meditation, for example. The mood-enhancing effects of Suntheanine work quickly; in studies, the production of alpha waves has been observed within 30 to 40 minutes of taking the supplement. Research also shows that the intensity of alpha waves increases with higher dosages of Suntheanine.


SCIENTIFIC SUPPORT
Most of the research on l-theanine has been done in Japan (why am i not suprised), where it has been used for 40 years for stress and anxiety reduction. In a Japanese study published in 1998, researchers evaluated the effectiveness of l-theanine in the form of Suntheanine in eight students suffering from anxiety. During the first and fourth weeks of the study, the students were given plain water. During the second and fifth weeks, they were given 50mg of Suntheanine in water, and during the third and sixth weeks, they were given 200mg of Suntheanine in water. Throughout the study, the researchers measured the students' alpha brain waves; all had larger alpha waves (and reported feeling less stressed) while taking 200mg of Suntheanine, and there was no change in brain waves when the students drank only plain water.

In an unpublished 2001 Japanese study, Suntheanine was shown to significantly reduce the emotional, mental and physical symptoms of PMS in women taking 200mg of the supplement daily. Another study the same year showed that Suntheanine improved sleep quality and resulted in more refreshing sleep, including fewer nighttime awakenings and nightmares.

GUIDELINES FOR USE
Based on the results of clinical studies, the most effective dosage of Suntheanine for promoting relaxation is 50-200mg. For best results, take it at the first sign of stress or anxiety-- you should notice results in approximately 30 minutes. The effects generally last up to eight hours, and the dosage can be repeated two to three times per day, or as needed. For sleep enhancement, take 200mg one hour before bed. L-theanine can be taken with food or on an empty stomach.

You can find l-theanine capsules in many natural food stores (or online). The proprietary brand Suntheanine is found in a number of l-theanine supplements. It's considered extremely safe, and has no reported side-effects. In fact, in Japan, l-theanine is added to soft drinks, candy and chewing gum to enhance mood and create relaxation.

Unlike sedative drugs, or even sedative herbs such as kava and valerian, l-theanine and the concentrated form, Suntheanine, do not cause drowsiness or impair mental or physical functioning. If you are pregnant or taking prescription drugs, check with your health care practitioner before using l-theanine.

let's live magazine june 2004
for a free subsription to this health magazine http://letsliveonline.com/

[silence4now]

Wow! I'm going to go try some of that green tea extract that's just been sitting in my cupboard. Not sure from this article though, whether the L-theanine would be present. Worth a try!

[Scott]

Originally Posted by silence4now

Wow! I'm going to go try some of that green tea extract that's just been sitting in my cupboard. Not sure from this article though, whether the L-theanine would be present. Worth a try!

the compound is present in green tea but you need a huge amount of it to get what is in this supplement.

Scott

Have you tried tea or suppliment? Have you seen any results yet? Just curious.

[Scott]

ive only tried it once, right before i had to go back on lexapro.. i think with me i was in such bad shape i didn't notice a difference. But then again im used to the calming effects of xanax so not much will satisfy me. It's worth a try though once the body is more balanced out.

[Scott]

test

[davedood]

I'vev used L-Theanine since I started withdrawing. I don't use it everyday, but when I'm feeling a bit ramped-up, it seems to have a definite calming effect...
could be mind-over-matter, too, who knows.

[Scott]

yeah me too... i think i'm so used to taking something that it gives me the reassurance i need.

[chrisgam]

If you are pregnant or taking prescription drugs, check with your health care practitioner before using l-theanine.


I take a prescription drug called Paxhell.
Is it okay to take l-theanine while also taking Paxil? My Dad sent me a bottle of this stuff and it's just been sitting in my cupboard because I've been afraid to take it with the Paxil. My doctor had never even heard of it, so she had no clue if it was safe to take it or not, but recommended against it of course! Isn't it funny how these doctors have no problem handing out these ssri's as though they're candy but when you ask about a supplement they "caution you against it".

Chris

[Scott]

it's the natural ingredient in green tea.. the supplement merely supplies the equivalent of about 20 cups of green tea, minus the tea of course and the caffeine.

[dificil]

I used L-Theanine on a regular basis over most of July and the first half of August when I was having really bad anxiety almost every day. It definitely helped with that horrible feeling of dread and overwhelming discomfort. I also noticed it was especially effective when paired with a portion of a 0.5mg klonipin, say 1/4 of a k pill or even less. The calming effect was more pronounced with the L-Theanine than with just the piece of klonipin on its own.

When the anxiety was milder just the L-Theanine alone usually did a good job keeping me straight. Using it definitely kept my benzo consumption way down, and I never noticed any adverse effects.

It was a bit too good to be true.

[I-H8-Paxil]

What brand do you guys use? How much at a time? And where do you get it?

I know this thread is a couple years old but it's a good one.

[Scott]

Originally Posted by I-H8-Paxil

What brand do you guys use? How much at a time? And where do you get it?

I know this thread is a couple years old but it's a good one.

the brand doesn't really matter that much and can be found online basically anywhere.. it comes as a powder in capsule form.. I always just open the capsule and take a little of it. i've never taken a full capsule.

[zimm]

I started taking suntheanine about four days ago and I am thankful for it. It has really helped me with anxiety. I would recomment it. I have not felt any side-effects at all.

[safarigal]

thanks Scott....I'm going to get some see if it works as well as the Ativan.

My anxiety is just about finished.....I'm weaning off the Ativan....lucky me, no withdrawal issues with Ativan.

[davedood]

I'd totally forgotten I was even using L-theanine. WEIRD!
I'm going to start again. I remember it was useful.
:P

[zimm]

I take one capsule in the morning and it works all day. However, I do not sleep as well. Has anyone else had this problem?

[Mystere]

I am going to try this stuff. I have access to the American drug stores as I live right on the border. Ill let everyone know how it works.

I was prescribed Paxil (12.5mg) haven't been on it for more then a week. After reading all these stories on here of how it effects you and how hard it is to get off it I am very weary. am definitely going to try other herbal things.

[nicemom]

Originally Posted by zimm

I take one capsule in the morning and it works all day. However, I do not sleep as well. Has anyone else had this problem?

Zimm~I got some of this yesterday and noticed it says decaffienated, not caffein free so I would not take it too close too bed. I am going to try it another couple of days before I say weather I think it works for me.

[sheacarney]

Just thought I would chime in about this supplement. I am very cautious about putting anything in my body, but since Tallulah arrived, who is now almost a year old, I had been running low on energy. My former sleeping patterns, prior to the SSRI debacle, allowed me a very solid 8-10 hours sleep per night. Today I sleep 6-8 hours on a good night and often it's light sleep and I wake easily. It's just something I've had to adjust to. I also want to point out that my daughter is not the reason behind this curtailed sleeping pattern (she sleeps through the night most of the time) and that my sleep has improved over the years to where I no longer go without sleep for days on end or even on random occasion. What does happen, on occasion, is that I wake up too early, after about only four hours of sleep and can't fall back asleep. I refuse to take any medication, so I turned to supplements to address the problem. I began taking melatonin (a quarter of a tablet), but only when needed. I find that without at least 6 hours sleep, my mood and anxiety levels are affected. I looked into Suntheanine as a way to promote relaxation and mood support during the day without sedation. I am happy to report that there have been subtle changes, for the good, in my mood and anxiety levels, even when I've slept poorly. I've also noted that since beginning the supplement, my sleep cycle has improved and I have less nights where I sleep less than 6 hours. I have to concede that the passage of time could also be a strong component in these perceived improvements, but, in the very least, the Suntheanine did not hurt me, which is always a concern for me.

I do want to point out that anyone newly off a drug should use caution when trying Suntheanine. I did try it, once before, early on in my symptomology. It did make me feel "off," which made me anxious. I felt pressure in my head and as though it was about to detach from my body, thus, I think this particular supplement should be reserved for those who may be a little further along in their journey. I only take 100mg/day of Suntheanine, which is equivalent to about 10 cups of green tea, which, to me, is not an outrageous amount of tea to drink in a day. I believe when I tried the supplement previously, I took 400-500mg in a single dose. That might account for the "weirdness" I felt.

Just thought I'd report a bit of progress to you.

Be well,
Shea