Comment · Wed, November 6, 2013 · Ceretropic
L-Theanine. The only nootropic I have faith in.
Original post in this thread
synesthesis · 75 points
I just wanted to express this for those who are looking for advice on nootripics. I have tried a good amount. I've been on prescription and tried dozens of over-the-counter things, I've even microdosed psychedelics (well worth it). But the one thing that keeps sticking out to me, the one supplement I actually can feel had an effect was none other than l-theanine.
It's unexpensive relative to coffee and has eased my social interactions to a point where they are not in any way an issue, rather they are now something I look forward to.
What they were answering
Thehealthygamer · 3 points
Also, take a look at this paper: http://www.thorne.com/altmedrev/.fulltext/10/2/136.pdf
Says L-Theanine may counteract the stimulatory effects of caffeine. In rats when theanine was administered in same dose as caffeine it blunted the stimulatory effect of caffeine and when given in a smaller dose by itself(20-40% of the previous dose) it elicited excitation effects showing a dual activity.
So this might mean that it's dose dependent, maybe try starting with a very small dose and increasing it to reach the threshold between stimulation and suppression.
u/MisterYouAreSoDumb · Ceretropic
A company actually patented the 1:2 ratios of L-theanine to caffeine for use in performance enhancing supplements. So there is evidence that lower L-theanine ratios work better for certain people.