Theanine 200 mg by Thorne

If you’re considering L-theanine for anxiety, this 200 mg capsule fits people who feel wired from stress or caffeine and want calm without feeling sedated. It’s especially useful if coffee makes you jittery or raises your heart rate, because theanine smooths that edge while preserving focus. Night owls who ruminate at bedtime often find it helps them unwind. If your stress shows up as high morning salivary cortisol (the stress hormone measured after waking), daily use can be worthwhile.

L-theanine, the relaxing amino acid from green tea, crosses into the brain and gently shifts signaling. It increases GABA (the main calming neurotransmitter) and balances dopamine and serotonin (the motivation and mood chemicals), while dampening glutamate (the excitatory signal). In EEG studies it increases alpha waves, the relaxed‑but‑alert pattern you feel during meditation. That’s why people describe theanine as calm focus rather than sedation.

Take 200 mg on an empty stomach or with a light snack, 30–60 minutes before a stressful event or bedtime. For steady daily stress, 200 mg two to three times per day is common. If pairing with caffeine for focus, many use a 2:1 theanine to caffeine ratio. For sleep onset trouble, 200–400 mg in the evening can help, then reassess within 2 to 4 weeks.

L-theanine is generally well tolerated, but it can modestly lower blood pressure, so combine cautiously with antihypertensives and monitor at home. It can take the edge off stimulants, which many people want with coffee, but discuss use if you take prescription stimulants. Data in pregnancy and breastfeeding are limited, so avoid unless your clinician agrees. Thorne Theanine contains only L-theanine, with no caffeine.

Most people feel a noticeable calming within 30–60 minutes of a single dose, and smoother focus when combined with caffeine. Daily use over 2 to 4 weeks can reduce perceived stress and improve sleep quality in worriers. Side effects are uncommon and usually mild, like headache or light nausea, which often resolve by taking with a small snack.