Posted by Ron Hill on November 22, 2003, at 15:23:35
In reply to Re: L-Theanine » Ron Hill, posted by Larry Hoover on November 22, 2003, at 7:51:57
Lar,
Thanks for your response.
Based on your reply, I definitely think it is worth your while to give l-theanine a trial. The increased dopamine release may help your CFS and the increased GABA may help your PSTD and occasional crankiness. The research seems split over the effect of l-theanine on serotonin release. Some say it increases, and some say it decreases. My layman opinion based solely on my anecdotal response to l-theanine is that, at least in my particular case, serotonin levels are increased by the supplement. I “feel” what I believe to be a serotonin boost in my brain, but perhaps it is the GABA increase that I feel and I’m, therefore, wrong about the serotonin. If it does provide a serotonin increase, this may also help to alleviate your PSTD symptoms. But you know better than I that YMMV.
I suggest that you try taking 200 mg sometime in the early morning and a second 200 mg dose in the early afternoon. I think you will feel the effect. I sure do. From what I’ve read, it is not supposed to matter if it is taken on an empty stomach or with food. I take it on an empty stomach as insurance against the risk of competition across the blood brain barrier, and because on an empty stomach I can really feel the therapeutic effect kick in 10 or 15 minutes after I take the l-theanine. The effects start to wear-off after about five hours, so two doses do not provide complete coverage for the entire day. Therefore, at some point in the future I might bump up to three doses of 200 mg each day. From what I've read, this stuff is very safe so I'd have no reservations about taking 600 mg/day.
I find an added benefit from drinking several (8 – 10) cups of green tea throughout the day. As you know, green tea is high in l-theanine and also contains other beneficial ingredients. I buy and use both regular and decaffeinated green tea. The industrial process used to remove the caffeine also removes some of the nutrients, but at the same time, I don’t want to drink all that caffeine. So I drink some of each.
>> 300 mg/day St. John’s Wort (Kira brand name)
> You *may* consider dose-adjustment there (if you haven't already).Yes, I hear ya. But when I increased it to 600 mg/day it caused irritability. Right now my brainchemistry is good and, therefore, I don’t have a need for more SJW even if I could tolerate a higher dose. So for the time being, I’m good-to-go. A low dosage of Lithobid (300 mg/day usually, 600 mg/day rarely) controls my hypomania, 300 mg/day of SJW helps to alleviate my depression somewhat, and 400 mg/day of l-theanine treats my dysphoric mood states (GRRRRRRR!) and it also treats the depressive phase of my bipolar II disorder.
Will l-theanine be like SAM-e and ENADA NADH in that it works great for about five months and then turns against me? Or will it continue to provide long-term relief? Time will tell.
Lar, if you decide to try it, let me know what you think of it. I like the fact that at least one function of l-theanine is quantifiably measurable. It clearly increases alpha brain waves and reduces beta waves, and we have medical equipment that can measure it. I like things that are measurable, don't you?
-- Ron
poster:Ron Hill
thread:281539
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/alter/20031122/msgs/282556.html