Social Anxiety Support

SAS · 02-26-2010, 01:09 PM

Theanine is an amino acid commonly found in tea, and also in the basidiomycete mushroom Boletus badius. Theanine is related to glutamine, and can cross the blood-brain barrier .Because it can enter the brain, theanine has psychoactive properties. Theanine has been shown to reduce mental and physical stress, may produce feelings of relaxation and improves cognition and mood when taken in combination with caffeine.

More Info: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Theanine

SAS · 03-01-2010, 01:39 PM

(Copied over from old review system)

Posted by Micliph

Social Anxiety Background
Severe/extreme social anxiety for 2 years.

Other Treatments
Citalopram.
Mirtazapine.
and a lot of other stuff.

Treatment Experience
I've bought 60 caps of 100mg "pharmaceutical-grade and scientifically supported" L-Theanine, and I have eaten almost all of them so far.

I have eaten up to 500mgs (5 caps) and still couldn't feel any anxiety reduction, so either this is so mild I can't feel it or I am just immune to the stuff.

Guess I won't buy them again because I think L-theanine is quite expensive and it doesnt work for me I think...

SAS · 03-01-2010, 01:40 PM

(Copied over from old review system)

Posted by jakeforpresident

Social Anxiety Background
disabilitating generalized SA

Other Treatments
Everything

Treatment Experience
L-Theanine is very mild and innocuous. It may help with rest and relaxation a little but not even as well as antihistamines do. Picamillon or Phenibut even seem to work better.

SAS · 03-01-2010, 01:40 PM

(Copied over from old review system)

Posted by njwood60

Social Anxiety Background
Severe general anxiety disorder and social anxiety. All my life. Also mild autism spectrum disorder

Other Treatments
Psychiatric treatment for the past 2 and a half years

Tyrosine
Turmeric (just started - will report more later)

Tried one Mao inhibiter but it made me too nauseous

Treatment Experience
I found L-theanine has a huge effect on my sleeping. I have always slept 9 to 10 hours a night and quite often still did not feel as though I had enough sleep

Now I take 100mg of L-theanine when I go to bed and another 100mg when I wake in the middle of the night to go to the toilet. I split the dose as I don't ghink it quite lasts 8 hours.

Now I need an hour LESS sleep every night and I feel a lot more rested during the day. This has helped me gain another hour of life every day.

I did try L-theanine during the day and it does not help at all with the social anxiety I have during the day, only with sleeping.

grigori · 08-03-2010, 09:35 AM

Didn't work for me.
Over the course of 2 weeks I tried different dosages but nothing had much of an effect. One day I took 5g at once which is 25 times the dose that is supposed to have an effect on most people (200mg). I felt a bit relaxed, but not enough for it to even come close to helping with SA.

PeopleAreStrange · 08-03-2010, 11:55 AM

I find theanine significantly effective for anxiety. Through green tea... maybe like B vitamins it is less effective in pill form?

Rubisco · 11-20-2010, 02:22 PM

L-theanine per se doesn't do much as far as stabilizing my mood or anxiety, but I did discover it has other indirect advantages. When I take it (especially with a cup of coffee), I find I become very alert, clearheaded, and able to hyperfocus on my studies. So, in a way, it helps with my anxiety because I can take my mind off of it while I study.

rrhxiv · 12-26-2010, 02:10 PM

I tried this stuff pure L theanine and Theanine Serene with source naturals...it seemed to only make me real sleepy and stuff

MBL · 01-13-2011, 06:16 AM

I found a product containing L-Theanine, 5-HTP and a low dose of melatonin. Think that'd help with my sleep??? I wake up multiple times a night, have night terrors (moderate) and sleep paralysis (severe). Any other suggestions for treatment? I am going to be evaluated in a sleep lab/clinic too.

Any advice? L-Theanine worth buying? Please feel free to IM me.

MavenMI6Agent009 · 01-13-2011, 12:01 PM

L-theanine found in gatorade focus helps me relax and the depression is lifted.

Giraffe · 01-13-2011, 10:50 PM

I felt absolutely no different when I took L-Theanine, no matter the dose.

rubyruby · 01-14-2011, 09:57 AM

Very, very stimulating. I only took 100 mg.

bobalo · 03-21-2011, 11:56 PM

nothing

AEB · 05-25-2011, 01:51 PM

The only way for the L-Theanine to take a noticeable effect is if you brain waves are not inline. For those people not noticing any effect that means your brain waves are inline. I would also look to make sure that the L-Theanine you are taking is Suntheanine which is the only true pure form of this amino acid. All other manufactures produce this amino acid via chemicals which is completely different than all the research and information you will find out there because it has been conducted on Suntheanine.

Addler · 05-25-2011, 07:28 PM

I tried L-theanine during the day but noticed no effect. I've been having a ridiculously hard time sleeping lately, so last night, I combined 900 mg valerian, 10 mg melatonin, and 200 mg L-theanine. That worked. Slept solid and don't remember any dreams. But I woke up with my eyes feeling prickly, which lasted about an hour.

prudence · 06-22-2011, 12:35 PM

I take 400mg of L-theanine daily. I used to become mega anxious when driving and pretty much anytime I was put in a new situation. Now, even at my most stressful time (driving), I stay calm and together. Just to note, I also take magnessium/calcium and practice meditation in the morning.

mr t · 06-26-2011, 11:18 PM

helped at first and then gained tolerance

popeet · 06-27-2011, 04:52 AM

I love the effects of L-theanine by itself. It works well for my ADHD and with sitting meditation. However, I have problems (inflammation, joint pain and other problems) from the microcrystalline cellulose used as a filler, though. Additionally, if I take too much I feel too alert and unable to rest.

kaitisawesome · 07-22-2011, 01:45 AM

Like one of the other commenters, I take Source Naturals brand Theanine Serene. I can't tell you if it's the theanine since this has several ingredients, but it definitely does calm me (not 100%, but I only take half the dose, so).

This has Magnesium, GABA, and Theanine, which I know are all supposed to help with anxiety/mood, and a couple other things I haven't heard of (Taurine--isn't that in energy drinks?, Relora, and Holy Basil Leaf Extract).

The main downside to me is that the pills are pretty big, so it's sometimes hard to swallow. Also sometimes I get this weird tightening in my chest. I get it from Xanax too.

I'm still looking for something stronger. I'll try the full dose and if that doesn't work, I'll try Phenibut or Kava Kava. Or Xanax. I love the euphoric feeling it gives but I'm terrified I'll get addicted. I've only had it a few times ever and I already wish I could take it every day.

Paragon · 07-22-2011, 05:57 AM

I use l-theanine occasionally. It seems to help, not a lot, but anything that gives a slight effect without any issues is a good thing imo.

02-26-2010, 01:09 PM	#1 (permalink)
SAS Status: Community and Website Administrator Join Date: May 2012 Location: Everywhere Gender: Male Posts: 861	L-Theanine Theanine is an amino acid commonly found in tea, and also in the basidiomycete mushroom Boletus badius. Theanine is related to glutamine, and can cross the blood-brain barrier .Because it can enter the brain, theanine has psychoactive properties. Theanine has been shown to reduce mental and physical stress, may produce feelings of relaxation and improves cognition and mood when taken in combination with caffeine. More Info: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Theanine Binggee likes this. Rate this treatment: Click the "Rate Thread" link to the upper right of this post (login required). Review this treatment: Click the "Post Reply" button to the upper left of this post (login required).

03-01-2010, 01:39 PM	#2 (permalink)
SAS Status: Community and Website Administrator Join Date: May 2012 Location: Everywhere Gender: Male Posts: 861	Immune (Copied over from old review system) Posted by Micliph Social Anxiety Background Severe/extreme social anxiety for 2 years. Other Treatments Citalopram. Mirtazapine. and a lot of other stuff. Treatment Experience I've bought 60 caps of 100mg "pharmaceutical-grade and scientifically supported" L-Theanine, and I have eaten almost all of them so far. I have eaten up to 500mgs (5 caps) and still couldn't feel any anxiety reduction, so either this is so mild I can't feel it or I am just immune to the stuff. Guess I won't buy them again because I think L-theanine is quite expensive and it doesnt work for me I think...

03-01-2010, 01:40 PM	#3 (permalink)
SAS Status: Community and Website Administrator Join Date: May 2012 Location: Everywhere Gender: Male Posts: 861	nor so good (Copied over from old review system) Posted by jakeforpresident Social Anxiety Background disabilitating generalized SA Other Treatments Everything Treatment Experience L-Theanine is very mild and innocuous. It may help with rest and relaxation a little but not even as well as antihistamines do. Picamillon or Phenibut even seem to work better.

03-01-2010, 01:40 PM	#4 (permalink)
SAS Status: Community and Website Administrator Join Date: May 2012 Location: Everywhere Gender: Male Posts: 861	Helps with Sleeping (Copied over from old review system) Posted by njwood60 Social Anxiety Background Severe general anxiety disorder and social anxiety. All my life. Also mild autism spectrum disorder Other Treatments Psychiatric treatment for the past 2 and a half years Tyrosine Turmeric (just started - will report more later) Tried one Mao inhibiter but it made me too nauseous Treatment Experience I found L-theanine has a huge effect on my sleeping. I have always slept 9 to 10 hours a night and quite often still did not feel as though I had enough sleep Now I take 100mg of L-theanine when I go to bed and another 100mg when I wake in the middle of the night to go to the toilet. I split the dose as I don't ghink it quite lasts 8 hours. Now I need an hour LESS sleep every night and I feel a lot more rested during the day. This has helped me gain another hour of life every day. I did try L-theanine during the day and it does not help at all with the social anxiety I have during the day, only with sleeping.

08-03-2010, 09:35 AM	#5 (permalink)
grigori Status: Non Serviam Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: caught in the machine Gender: Male Age: 32 Posts: 255	Didn't work for me. Over the course of 2 weeks I tried different dosages but nothing had much of an effect. One day I took 5g at once which is 25 times the dose that is supposed to have an effect on most people (200mg). I felt a bit relaxed, but not enough for it to even come close to helping with SA. __________________ The person who gives up his individual self and becomes an automaton, identical with millions of other automatons around him, need not feel alone and anxious any more. But the price he pays, however, is high; it is the loss of his self. -Erich Fromm

08-03-2010, 11:55 AM	#6 (permalink)
PeopleAreStrange Status: Sitting on a sunbeam Join Date: Jun 2009 Gender: Female Posts: 137	I find theanine significantly effective for anxiety. Through green tea... maybe like B vitamins it is less effective in pill form?

11-20-2010, 02:22 PM	#7 (permalink)
Rubisco Status: A cool enzyme Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: GA Gender: Female Age: 21 Posts: 118	L-theanine per se doesn't do much as far as stabilizing my mood or anxiety, but I did discover it has other indirect advantages. When I take it (especially with a cup of coffee), I find I become very alert, clearheaded, and able to hyperfocus on my studies. So, in a way, it helps with my anxiety because I can take my mind off of it while I study.

12-26-2010, 02:10 PM	#8 (permalink)
rrhxiv Status: SAS Member Join Date: Nov 2010 Age: 30 Posts: 28	I tried this stuff pure L theanine and Theanine Serene with source naturals...it seemed to only make me real sleepy and stuff

01-13-2011, 06:16 AM	#9 (permalink)
MBL Status: Comatose. Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: Halifax, NS Gender: Male Age: 34 Posts: 363	I found a product containing L-Theanine, 5-HTP and a low dose of melatonin. Think that'd help with my sleep??? I wake up multiple times a night, have night terrors (moderate) and sleep paralysis (severe). Any other suggestions for treatment? I am going to be evaluated in a sleep lab/clinic too. Any advice? L-Theanine worth buying? Please feel free to IM me. __________________ -MBL HALIFAX, Nova Scotia (Canada)

01-13-2011, 12:01 PM	#10 (permalink)
MavenMI6Agent009 Status: UnDERrAted Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: EL Crappo, Tx Gender: Male Age: 28 Posts: 25,755	L-theanine found in gatorade focus helps me relax and the depression is lifted. __________________ "The friend who can be silent with us in a moment of despair or confusion, who can stay with us in an hour of grief and bereavement, who can tolerate not knowing, not curing, not healing and face with us the reality of our powerlessness, that is a friend who cares." (Henri Nouwen) -------------------------------------------------------

01-13-2011, 10:50 PM	#11 (permalink)
Giraffe Status: More or less over it Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: Portland, OR Gender: Male Age: 31 Posts: 561	I felt absolutely no different when I took L-Theanine, no matter the dose. __________________ "When I accept myself just as I am, then I can change." - Carl Rogers

01-14-2011, 09:57 AM	#12 (permalink)
rubyruby Status: SAS Member Join Date: Jun 2009 Posts: 306	Very, very stimulating. I only took 100 mg.

03-21-2011, 11:56 PM	#13 (permalink)
bobalo Status: SAS Member Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: california Gender: Male Posts: 12	nothing

05-25-2011, 01:51 PM	#14 (permalink)
AEB Status: SAS Member Join Date: May 2011 Posts: 2	The only way for the L-Theanine to take a noticeable effect is if you brain waves are not inline. For those people not noticing any effect that means your brain waves are inline. I would also look to make sure that the L-Theanine you are taking is Suntheanine which is the only true pure form of this amino acid. All other manufactures produce this amino acid via chemicals which is completely different than all the research and information you will find out there because it has been conducted on Suntheanine.

05-25-2011, 07:28 PM	#15 (permalink)
Addler Status: is trying. Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: South Carolina, USA Gender: Transgender Age: 25 Posts: 714	I tried L-theanine during the day but noticed no effect. I've been having a ridiculously hard time sleeping lately, so last night, I combined 900 mg valerian, 10 mg melatonin, and 200 mg L-theanine. That worked. Slept solid and don't remember any dreams. But I woke up with my eyes feeling prickly, which lasted about an hour. __________________ "You know that you are recalled to life?" "They tell me so." "I hope you care to live?" "I can't say." A Tale of Two Cities

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06-22-2011, 12:35 PM	#16 (permalink)
prudence Status: SAS Member Join Date: Jan 2010 Gender: Female Posts: 502	I take 400mg of L-theanine daily. I used to become mega anxious when driving and pretty much anytime I was put in a new situation. Now, even at my most stressful time (driving), I stay calm and together. Just to note, I also take magnessium/calcium and practice meditation in the morning. __________________ don't judge a book by the size of its wrists

06-26-2011, 11:18 PM	#17 (permalink)
mr t Status: SAS Member Join Date: Jan 2010 Posts: 400	helped at first and then gained tolerance

06-27-2011, 04:52 AM	#18 (permalink)
popeet Status: SAS Member Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Clue: above a bakery Posts: 1,086	I love the effects of L-theanine by itself. It works well for my ADHD and with sitting meditation. However, I have problems (inflammation, joint pain and other problems) from the microcrystalline cellulose used as a filler, though. Additionally, if I take too much I feel too alert and unable to rest.

07-22-2011, 01:45 AM	#19 (permalink)
kaitisawesome Status: SAS Member Join Date: May 2011 Location: United States Gender: Female Age: 23 Posts: 11	Like one of the other commenters, I take Source Naturals brand Theanine Serene. I can't tell you if it's the theanine since this has several ingredients, but it definitely does calm me (not 100%, but I only take half the dose, so). This has Magnesium, GABA, and Theanine, which I know are all supposed to help with anxiety/mood, and a couple other things I haven't heard of (Taurine--isn't that in energy drinks?, Relora, and Holy Basil Leaf Extract). The main downside to me is that the pills are pretty big, so it's sometimes hard to swallow. Also sometimes I get this weird tightening in my chest. I get it from Xanax too. I'm still looking for something stronger. I'll try the full dose and if that doesn't work, I'll try Phenibut or Kava Kava. Or Xanax. I love the euphoric feeling it gives but I'm terrified I'll get addicted. I've only had it a few times ever and I already wish I could take it every day.

07-22-2011, 05:57 AM	#20 (permalink)
Paragon Status: Big Damn Hero Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: UK (England) Gender: Male Age: 27 Posts: 828	I use l-theanine occasionally. It seems to help, not a lot, but anything that gives a slight effect without any issues is a good thing imo. __________________