In a study comparing Theanine and Xanax, Theanine, a naturally occurring substance found in Green Tea is extremely more effective at reducing stress and anxiety than the prescription medication Xanax.
The 16 participants in the study were given treatments of 1 mg alprazolam (Xanax®), 200 mg Theanine and a placebo. Only the Theanine produced a noticeable reduction of stress and anxiety and an increase in tranquility in the test subjects.
Other recent studies confirm the dramatic effects Theanine has in reducing stress and anxiety. Link
What Is Theanine
Theanine is an amino acid commonly found in tea, and also in the basidiomycete mushroom Boletus badius. In 1950 the Tea laboratory of Kyoto successfully separated theanine from Gyokuro leaf, which has the highest theanine content among all teas. Theanine is related to glutamine, and can cross the blood-brain barrier. Because it can enter the brain, theanine has psychoactive properties. Theanine has been shown to reduce mental and physical stress, may produce feelings of relaxation and improves cognition and mood when taken in combination with caffeine.
Theanine is speculated to produce these effects by increasing the level of gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) production. Theanine increases brain serotonin, dopamine, GABA levels. Researchers also speculate that it may inhibit glutamic acid excitotoxicity. Theanine also promotes alpha wave production in the brain.
Boost Immune System
L-theanine may help the body’s immune response to infection by boosting the disease-fighting capacity of gamma delta T cells. The study, published in 2003 by the Brigham and Women’s Hospital, included a four-week trial with 11 coffee drinkers and 10 tea drinkers, who consumed 600 milliliters of coffee or black tea daily. Blood sample analysis found that the production of anti-bacterial proteins was up to five times higher in the tea-drinkers, an indicator of a stronger immune response.
If you would like to try Theanine I recommend Jarrow Formulas’ Theanine 200. It provides 200 mg of L-Theanine, the dosage used in the clinical study referenced above. You can order it from vitasprings.com, a vender that I personally recommend.
{ 2 comments… read them below or add one }
That’s incorrect,and if you bothered to do more research you would know that theanine does not effect gaba-a receptors at benzodiazapene sites as does xanax.I’ve tried theanine and it didn’t reduce stress at all.scientists are trying to find a way for a legal supplement to cross the blood brain barrier,effect the gaba-a receptors and reduce stress by slowing down nerve transmissions.part of the problem is finding a supplement that would be effective when taken orally.If there is one I sure would like to know about it.I have generalized anxiety syndrome.[GAD]
Thanks for your comment rj_gordon40. Below is an excerpt of the article that I based my post on:
Another powerful stress reliever is green-tea-derived theanine. When swallowed, theanine is readily absorbed and easily crosses the “blood-brain barrier,” allowing it to quickly reach brain cells.18-20 Like some other components of tea, theanine has tremendous potential as a cellular protectant.21 Studies in animals and humans demonstrate theanine’s ability to help promote relaxation, boost cognitive function, and support brain health.21,22
18. Available at: http://www.pdrhealth.com/drug_info/nmdrugprofiles/nutsupdrugs/lth_0296.shtml. Accessed May 22, 2007.
19. Yamada T, Terashima T, Okubo T, Juneja LR, Yokogoshi H. Effects of theanine, r-glutamylethylamide, on neurotransmitter release and its relationship with glutamic acid neurotransmission. Nutr Neurosci. 2005 Aug;8(4):219-26.
20. Yokogoshi H, Kobayashi M, Mochizuki M, Terashima T. Effect of theanine, r-glutamylethylamide, on brain monoamines and striatal dopamine release in conscious rats. Neurochem Res. 1998 May;23(5):667-73.
21. Cooper R, Morre DJ, Morre DM. Medicinal benefits of green tea: Part I. Review of noncancer health benefits. J Altern Complement Med. 2005 Jun;11(3):521-8.
22. Egashira N, Hayakawa K, Mishima K, et al. Neuroprotective effect of gamma-glutamylethylamide (theanine) on cerebral infarction in mice. Neurosci Lett. 2004 Jun 3;363(1):58-61.
So, as you can see it supports the claims I made.
Thanks for reading my blog. Keep posting those comments.