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SupplementWell-studiedNootropic

L-Theanine

Half-life

~1 hour

What is L-Theanine?

Amino acid from green tea that increases GABA and alpha brain waves.

How L-Theanine works

Increases GABA release from GABAergic neurons. Increases alpha brain waves (8-12 Hz) associated with calm alertness. Does not cause drowsiness but enhances focus.

Benefits & uses

  • Calm, focused state
  • Reduces caffeine jitters
  • Supports sleep quality
  • Eases anxiety

Common uses: Focus, anxiety, sleep, caffeine pairing.

CognitiveRecovery

L-Theanine dosage

Typical dose
100–200 mg (often 1:1–2:1 with caffeine)

L-Theanine half-life

~1 hour (plasma)

L-Theanine side effects

  • Very well tolerated
  • No sedation — promotes calm focus not sleep
  • Safe for daytime use

Commonly stacked with

CaffeineAshwagandha (KSM-66)

Track L-Theanine in Protokol.

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More Nootropic

For research and educational purposes only. This page is not medical advice and is not a recommendation to use any compound. Many compounds listed are not approved for human use, and some are prescription-only or controlled in your jurisdiction. Dosing figures are reference or observational reports. Talk to a qualified healthcare provider before starting, stopping, or changing anything. Protokol is for tracking purposes only.