L-Theanine

Category: amino-acid

Aliases: γ-Glutamylethylamide, N⁵-Ethyl-L-glutamine, Suntheanine, l-theanine, theanine

Pharmacological Mechanism

Glutamate analog — crosses the BBB via LAT1. Increases α-wave EEG power (wakeful-relaxed state) and modulates [[gaba_a_receptor_signaling]] and [[glycine]] release. Partial [[glutamate_receptor_pharmacology]] / [[ampa_kainate_glutamate_extension]] receptor activity. Does not share glutamate's excitotoxic profile — dampens [[caffeine]]'s sympathetic overshoot without blunting its alertness effect.

Half-Life (t½)

PO: 1.2h

Dosing Guidelines

Target Organ Systems

Interactions