Reduce Anxiety and Stress Naturally With L-theanine

There’s no question, we all deal with stress or anxiety. Some people may turn to unhealthy alternatives to negate the symptoms. I also experience stress and slight anxiety on occasions, however, I take a safe and natural approach to decompress.

A few years back I was researching different nootropics (suplements that can enhance your cognitive ability). I came across a supplement that goes by the name of l-theanine. I was pleasantly surprised to find a plethora of amazing health benefits that the supplement offers.

l-theanine is an amino acid that derives from green tea leaves. L-theanine has been shown to help reduce stress, anxiety and promotes relaxation. It does this by increasing production of the neurotransmitters GABA and serotonin. GABA is an inhibitory neurotransmitter which works by blocking their counterpart, excitatory neurotransmitters, from firing. Essentially it works by reducing nervous system activity, thus calming your nerves, which in turn creates a tranquil effect that we so desperately need in times of stress and anxiety. Serotonin is also an important neurotransmitter which I refer to as “the happy chemical”. Serotonin oversees mood regulation by increasing mood positivity. L-theanine has also been shown to increase alpha waves in the brain, which are produced when you reach a state of relaxation.

My experience with l-theanine has been highly beneficial. This supplement truly works for me and provides serene effects especially when used during times of stress or anxiety. I first started taking the supplement a few years back after discovering the health benefits. I’ve been experimenting with many natural supplements for their health benefits over the years and this is one of my all-time favorites. It’s a supplement I like to buy every few months that way I have it on hand when I feel like I need It. Being that it’s summer and I’m not in class, my stress levels are low, therefore I mainly use it for relaxation purposes. I just recently bought a bottle of 60, 200 mg capsules, I usually take it around bedtime to help me unwind. I’ll take 2-3 capsules just because I’ve begun to build a bit of a tolerance, which does happen. Around 15 minutes after I take the capsules I experience a tranquil effect that is second to none in my experience with natural supplements. l-theanine is completely natural and has zero reports of overdose. I have experimented taking upwards of 1,000mg to see if the effects are heightened. I find for me that the effects top out at around 600-700mg. I have also stacked it with magnesium and found that this works even better for helping me fall, and stay asleep.

Whether you’re dealing with stress, mild anxiety or simply just want to relax after a long day,

I highly recommend trying l-theanine. You can typically find the supplement at your local health food store or online. The alternative would be drinking green tea, however there’s only about 8mg per cup which pales in comparison to the dose you would need to experience the effects.

Sources

Cherry, K. (2019, July 17). The Role of Neurotransmitters. Retrieved from https://www.verywellmind.com/what-is-a-neurotransmitter-2795394

L-Theanine: Dosage, Benefits, and Side Effects. (n.d.). Retrieved from https://www.healthline.com/health/l-theanine

Gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA). (n.d.). Retrieved from http://www.chm.bris.ac.uk/motm/gaba/gabajm.htm

McIntosh, J. (2018, February 02). Serotonin: Facts, uses, SSRIs, and sources. Retrieved from https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/kc/serotonin-facts-232248