I used L Theanine for six years for focus and brain health- here's what happened

Summary

In this video, a neuropsychologist reviews the benefits of L-theanine, an amino acid known for enhancing focus, reducing stress, and supporting gut health. The speaker shares personal experiences of using L-theanine for improved concentration and its calming effects during stressful events. L-theanine’s impact on gut inflammation, mood regulation, and liver-brain axis balance is also discussed. With dosage recommendations ranging from 100-250 mg, the speaker emphasizes the effectiveness of combining L-theanine with caffeine for sustained focus. The video provides insights into how L-theanine can be a valuable supplement for both brain health and overall well-being.

Takeaways

• 😀 L-theanine is a supplement that has been tested by the speaker for over 6 years, and is noted for its clear effects on the nervous system and brain.
• 😀 L-theanine was originally used to improve focus and reduce stress during the speaker's university studies.
• 😀 The speaker recommends starting with 50 mg of L-theanine, though a higher dose (150 mg) combined with caffeine (100 mg) was found to be more effective for sustained focus.
• 😀 Sustained focus refers to the ability to concentrate on a task for an extended period, even if it is repetitive or monotonous, without being distracted.
• 😀 L-theanine has an anti-inflammatory effect on the gut, helping reduce intestinal stress and inflammation by boosting antioxidant activity.
• 😀 The combination of L-theanine, L-glutamine, and probiotics may improve gut health and help reduce gut inflammation, especially after events like food poisoning.
• 😀 L-theanine is widely known for its ability to help reduce anxiety, especially in stressful or crowded environments, and may also help with social anxiety.
• 😀 The speaker reports positive effects on their mood and stress levels when using L-theanine before attending high-stress situations.
• 😀 L-theanine may have beneficial effects on the liver-brain axis and can help improve neurotransmitter balance in the brain, particularly with dietary influences.
• 😀 The correct dose for L-theanine is generally between 100-200 mg twice a day, though the speaker prefers using 250 mg once in the morning, mixed with coffee.
• 😀 The speaker has experienced improved liver values after consistent use of L-theanine, although other supplements like NAC and milk thistle may have contributed as well.

Q & A

What is the main benefit of L-theanine that the speaker focuses on in the video?

The main benefit of L-theanine discussed in the video is its ability to improve sustained focus and concentration, particularly in tasks that are repetitive and monotonous.

How does L-theanine affect the nervous system and the brain?

L-theanine has a clear effect on the nervous system and brain by promoting relaxation and reducing stress, which helps improve focus and mental clarity.

What is sustained focus, and how does L-theanine contribute to it?

Sustained focus refers to the ability to maintain attention on a single task without being easily distracted. L-theanine helps by enhancing focus, particularly during the morning hours, when combined with caffeine.

What is the neuropsychological distinction between sustained focus and cognitive flexibility?

Sustained focus is the ability to concentrate on one task for a long period, even if it's repetitive, while cognitive flexibility refers to the ability to switch between tasks or adjust focus when needed.

How does L-theanine benefit gut health?

L-theanine can alleviate intestinal stress and reduce gut inflammation by upregulating antioxidant activity and improving glutamine metabolism. It also works synergistically with L-glutamine in reducing gut inflammation.

What did the speaker use alongside L-theanine to recover from food poisoning, and why?

The speaker used a combination of L-glutamine, L-theanine, and probiotics to improve gut microbiota and reduce inflammation, which helped them recover quickly from food poisoning.

How does L-theanine influence mood and stress levels?

L-theanine can regulate the nervous system and reduce anxiety. The speaker uses it to lower stress before stressful events or crowded environments and mentions that it helps a friend with social anxiety.

What is the liver-brain axis, and how does L-theanine affect it?

The liver-brain axis refers to the relationship between liver health and brain function. L-theanine can improve neurotransmitter balance through the liver, potentially benefiting overall brain function, especially when combined with a proper diet.

What does animal data suggest about the effects of L-theanine on brain neurotransmitters?

Animal data suggests that supplementing with L-theanine can improve brain levels of neurotransmitters like serotonin and dopamine, particularly when combined with a low-protein diet. L-theanine also counters negative effects of high-protein diets on the liver.

What is the recommended dosage of L-theanine, and how does the speaker use it?

Studies recommend 100-200 mg of L-theanine twice a day. The speaker personally uses 250 mg once a day in the morning, often combined with their morning coffee.