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Dextro-theanine

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Pharmacokinetics of theanine enantiomers in rats - PubMed

Theanine, first discovered in tea, is a chiral nonproteinic amino acid that has been reported to have cardiovascular, neurological, and oncological effects. It is being considered as a therapeutic/medicinal agent and additive in consumer products. The present study evaluated the pharmacokinetics...
pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov


The D-enantiomer appears to have been studied to some degree in animals and humans. Lower absorption, faster excretion and sweeter taste than its L-counterpart is all I can seem to find on it. I assume it doesnt have any noteworthy differences to its L-isomer counterpart that would warrant its production

I remember reading up on it 5 years ago and came to the conclusion it would not give any inherent benefit over L-theanine
 
All You Have To Do Is Buy A Big Box Of Luzianne Green Tea Bags, Brew It, Drink It, And You Will Barely Be Able To Distinguish The Two (Oolong - Black -Tea Versus Green Tea With Its L-theanine). The Effects Of L-theanine Versus Theophylline Are Subtle But Substantively Exist.

It Is Hypothesized That L-theanine Works By Releasing An Ethylamine CH3CH2-NH2 Residue Inside The Brain.

Ethyl Alcohol (the kind that people drink) CH3CH2OH Is An N --> O Analogue Of Ethylamine CH3CH2NH2. In That Respect, EtNH2 Is Related To The Ammonium Smelling Salts Of Yore.
 
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Rectify said:
All You Have To Do Is Buy A Big Box Of Luzianne Green Tea Bags, Brew It, Drink It, And You Will Barely Be Able To Distinguish The Two (Oolong - Black -Tea Versus Green Tea With Its L-theanine). The Effects Of L-theanine Versus Theophylline Are Subtle But Substantively Exist.

It Is Hypothesized That L-theanine Works By Releasing An Ethylamine CH3CH2-NH2 Residue Inside The Brain.

Ethyl Alcohol (the kind that people drink) CH3CH2OH Is An N --> O Analogue Of Ethylamine CH3CH2NH2. In That Respect, EtNH2 Is Related To The Ammonium Smelling Salts Of Yore.
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Yes L-theanine (N-ethyl-L-glutamine) does break down into ethylamine and glutamic acid in the body but I do not think this is responsible for its pharmacological effects and fail to see how it relates to D-theanine

The literature regarding it seems weird though, it supposedly releases serotonin, dopamine, affects GABA, lowers cortisol and modulates and antagonises glutamate. Maybe Im just a junkie at heart but ive never noticed anything discernible from it other than it making caffeine smoother, feels purely like a cortisol lowering, glutamate modulating supplement for me.
 
Broadly speaking L-theanine stops the stress response, has pro-GABA, anti-glutamate & anti-histamine effects and upegulates the levels of BDNF and glial cell-derived neurotrophic factor (GDNF) which protects & repairs the dopamine system.

Handy tool for anti-anxiety, anti-addiction, tolerance reducing-resetting, and a perfect accompaniment for caffeine/amphetamine/cocaine.

TheLightBringer said:
Maybe Im just a junkie at heart but ive never noticed anything discernible from it other than it making caffeine smoother, feels purely like a cortisol lowering, glutamate modulating supplement for me.
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The magic happens in the 2nd stage of theanines effects, including when the dopamine system upregulates.
 
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Allylbenzene said:
Broadly speaking L-theanine stops the stress response, has pro-GABA, anti-glutamate & anti-histamine effects and upegulates the levels of BDNF and glial cell-derived neurotrophic factor (GDNF) which upregulates the dopaminergic system.

Handy tool for anti-anxiety, anti-addiction, tolerance reducing-resetting, and a perfect accompaniment for caffeine/amphetamine/cocaine.
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I did some anecdotal experiments with oral methamphetamine 20mg + l-theanine. There was a significant decrease in the anxiogenic effects of methamphetamine.

Also l-theanine and l-carnitine combined are a good combination for nutritional support during heavy physical training regiments.
 
Leprechaun said:
I did some anecdotal experiments with oral methamphetamine 20mg + l-theanine. There was a significant decrease in the anxiogenic effects of methamphetamine.
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You might find agmatine has equally interesting synergy. Agmatine is an excellent accompaniment for any stimulant.

Pomegranate juice also, but I'd caution to start with very low doses of the *amphetamine since potentiation can be strong. More info here.

Leprechaun said:
Also l-theanine and l-carnitine combined are a good combination for nutritional support during heavy physical training regiments.
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I wrote this list in another thread but it seems relevant here. It's perfect for enhancing endurance & stamina but works equally well for resolving addictions, repairing the body from drug use, stopping withdrawals and generally enhancing quality of life.

The idea is to enhance mitochondria which produce ATP and anabolic/regenerative hormones like pregnenolone which in-turn is converted into testosterone and DHEA. This is applicable to both men & women.

Here are a few mitochondrial enhancers which work either directly & indirectly:
  • Caffeine (mimics T3)
  • Agmatine
  • Niacinamide
  • Taurine
  • Thiamine
  • Magnesium (malate)
  • Coenzyme Q10
  • Aspirin (acetylsalicylic acid)
  • Salicylic acid
  • Creatine
  • Uridine
  • Pyroglutamic acid (pidolic acid)
  • Succinic acid
  • Pregnenolone (OTC)
  • Progesterone (OTC)
  • GABA (GABAergics, reuptake inhibitors)
  • Adenosine (agonists, reuptake inhibitors)
  • Dopamine (dopaminergics, reuptake inhibitors)
  • Anything that blocks cortisol/adrenaline (eg linalool, theanine, CBG, clonidine, everything listed above)
 
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Allylbenzene said:
Broadly speaking L-theanine stops the stress response, has pro-GABA, anti-glutamate & anti-histamine effects and upegulates the levels of BDNF and glial cell-derived neurotrophic factor (GDNF) which protects & repairs the dopamine system.
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I'm not referencing your post directly just using it as a discussion point.

L-theanine (at least the racemic mixtures I buy at the store?) is technically pro-glutamate. It is an agonist there. For most people it's not an issue. But taking L-theanine in acute alcohol withdrawal has made my withdrawal profoundly and immediately worse-- like I need to go to the hospital type shit.

It's calming effect has nothing to do with glutamate, it is still unexplained but shown to promote alpha waves in the brain.

The calming effect it provides is both modest and unusual and unlike any other sedative I've tried. Outside of alcoholism, I find it useful.

Similar to something like glycine, or magnesium glycinate. Glycine is an excitatory compound. In theory it should not promote relaxation, but it does for some people. Not in me. Due to my history with alcohol, taking magnesium glycinate will basically induce alcohol withdrawal, physical agitation, insomnia and panic for 2 or 3 days. (For me...)
 
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Ozymandeus said:
Similar to something like glycine, or magnesium glycinate. Glycine is an excitatory compound. In theory it should not promote relaxation, but it does for some people. Not in me.
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Reports about negative reactions from Mg glycinate pop up fairly often on the reddit Biohackers group. A "less risky" alternative is magnesium malate.

Glycine is deeply involved in regulating the glutamatergic transmission, acting as a co-agonist of NMDAR, allowing for its activation and enhancing excitatory glutamatergic tone.

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Ozymandeus said:
It's calming effect has nothing to do with glutamate, it is still unexplained but shown to promote alpha waves in the brain.

The calming effect it provides is both modest and unusual and unlike any other sedative I've tried. Outside of alcoholism, I find it useful.
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It looks like theanine has several properties which contribute towards relaxation. Blocking CRH plays an important role (CRH is involved with adrenals, stress hormones), but also glutamatergic interactions:

Theanine has been reported to inhibit glutamine transport in neurons and astroglia potentially by competing with glutamine due to its structural similarity. This inhibition may limit glutamine conversion to glutamate in presynaptic neurons, thereby preventing neuronal cell death caused by excitotoxicity. In addition, Kakuda et al. have reported that Theanine binds to glutamate receptor subtypes (AMPA, kinate and NMDA receptor) and blocks the binding of L-glutamic acid to the glutamate receptors in cortisol neurons.

doi: 10.1038/s41598-025-08190-0
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Heres another 2025 paper on it:

L-Theanine As A Natural Anxiolytic: A Review Of Its Neurophysiological Mechanisms, Clinical Efficacy, And Safety In Anxiety And Stress Management

"L-Theanine As A Natural Anxiolytic: A Review Of Its Neurophysiological Mechanisms, Clinical Efficacy, And Safety In Anxiety And Stress Management" | African Journal of Biomedical Research

doi.org doi.org
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Mirage3000 said:
Hey, can you elaborate on this? Do you take them simultaneously? What is the benefit?
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Agmatine can provide therapeutic/recreational value, it depends on the dose. It's both psychoactive and can assist with mitigating side-effects associated with substance use (think anti-withdrawal, anti-tolerance aka reset).

If you search the forum for agmatine I wrote a post with reports about the style of its effects.
 
Allylbenzene said:
It looks like theanine has several properties which contribute towards relaxation. Blocking CRH plays an important role (CRH is involved with adrenals, stress hormones), but also glutamatergic interactions:



Heres another 2025 paper on it:
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Ethanol dependency also does quite a few changes down to the neural and mitochondrial level.

I can't explain why I have such reactions to things normal people don't, especially from a compound with such complex effects, I just have a very good feeling of what glutamate overactication feels like, and that I have these reactions due to alcoholism.

I can tolerate even high doses of l-theanine, as long as I haven't been drinking recently.
 
Ozymandeus said:
Ethanol dependency also does quite a few changes down to the neural and mitochondrial level.
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Yup, it's a messy drug.
Cannabinoid, glutamate, GABA, indirect opioid, DRI and more.

I wrote this post ages ago on some of alcohols MOA. Niacinamide might be worth exploring? Low-dose.



Ozymandeus said:
I just have a very good feeling of what glutamate overactication feels like, and that I have these reactions due to alcoholism.
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Glutamate could be downstream from something else eg cortisol / HPA axis.

Ozymandeus said:
I can tolerate even high doses of l-theanine, as long as I haven't been drinking recently.
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Do you take fish oils?
 
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