Expansive evidence exists to demonstrate that L-Theanine improves several bodily functions. In a 2019 review of eighteen independent studies, researchers observed that “several studies have reported that the consumption of this amino acid has many therapeutic effects, including improvements in brain and gastrointestinal function, cancer drug therapeutic efficacies, antihypertensive effects, and improved immune function.”
But there is more.
L-Theanine is also being studied for its psychotherapeutic properties. Scientists have researched L-Theanine to see if it increases alpha brain waves, which are known to calm the brain and mood. In their study, researchers identified that even the small amount of L-Theanine in a cup of tea will increase alpha brain waves, which occur when you’re fully awake but fully relaxed.
And that’s not all. Additional research has shown that L-Theanine also appears to boost the levels of certain key neurotransmitters – specifically dopamine, serotonin, and glycine.
- Dopamine acts on the mesolimbic and mesocortical systems to modulate anxiety.
- Serotonin is a chemical that nerves produce to communicate and is thought to regulate anxiety, happiness, and mood.
- And glycine is an amino acid with profound antianxiety properties and also helps with sleep.
While there is little evidence as to why these functions work, the outcomes produced are hard to argue with. The increase in brain levels of three elements that regulate anxiety and stabilize mood are the end results most anxiety sufferers seek. Patients using these therapies also report an overall heightened sense of well-being and ease.
L-Theanine has also been documented to help control some of the negative side effects of anxiety like high blood pressure. One study observed that L-Theanine helped reduce blood pressure spikes in people performing stressful tasks.
The secretion of immunoglobulin A in saliva is one method of tangibly measuring anxiety in humans. Elevated heart rate is another easily measured indicator. Consumption of L-Theanine has been demonstrated to modulate the secretion of immunoglobulin A and to reduce heart rate in stressful situations – both tangible regulators of stress and anxiety.
Another major component in anxiety management is sleep. Healthy sleep is a partial defense against anxiety which makes stress-related insomnia a double-negative cycle – anxiety interferes with sleep – and lack of sleep produces more anxiety. So L-Theanine’s ability to catalyze relaxation and healthy sleep is another boon to anxiety sufferers.
L-Theanine also blocks the binding of L-glutamic acid to glutamate receptors in your brain. Glutamate is the brain’s most prominent neurotransmitter and is in charge of “exciting” or stimulating the brain. On its own, glutamate would excite the brain endlessly until cells literally die, which has been observed in scientific studies. L-Theanine helps to moderate this function and to insulate the brain against over-excitement, a state that – untreated – can produce stress and anxiety.
The US Food & Drug Administration has granted L-Theanine the status, GRAS, meaning “generally recognized as safe”. This does not mean that the FDA endorses L-Theanine, but the safety designation from the FDA is notable in itself.
It is a lot to think about! We get it. If you have questions about anxiety or L-Theanine, Regen Labs has options for you. All Regen Labs products support the body’s natural systems for healthy brain, skin, muscle, and sexual health.
Without toxins or synthetics, Regen Labs products contain research-proven ingredients to boost the body’s natural ability to be healthy.
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