L-theanine For OCD: Supplement Benefits

L-theanine is a natural amino acid that has been shown to reduce anxiety and improve cognitive function. Studies have also found that L-theanine can be helpful in treating OCD symptoms. Learn more about the potential benefits of L-theanine for OCD and how to take it safely.

Whether you personally know of someone who suffers from OCD or you’ve heard it thrown around as slang, chances are you’re familiar with the term.

But not many, aside from those who suffer from it, actually know what it means or how to manage it. That’s because only 1% of the world’s population is known to suffer from this condition. While that seems minor, this adds up to nearly 70 million people who are affected. (Source)

OCD is a well-known acronym for obsessive-compulsive disorder, a condition in which a person experiences recurring, uncontrollable thoughts, or obsessions and/or participates in repetitive behaviors, a.k.a compulsions.

This could look like an extreme fear of germs, fear of forgetting or misplacing items, or a strong desire for perfect order/extreme neatness. It may also include accompanying compulsions that align with obsessive thoughts, such as repetitive hand washing or compulsive cleaning and organizing. (Source)

Unfortunately, the cause of OCD is still not known but it has been determined that there are genetic factors that increase the likelihood of developing OCD as well as the presence of childhood trauma and biological differences in the brain. (Source)

While there are many treatments currently available to manage this disorder ranging from psychotherapy to medication to herbal supplements, the effectiveness depends on the individuals and the severity of the condition.

As you can imagine, OCD can inflict many negative impacts on one’s mental well-being and medication sometimes exacerbates these impacts. In mild cases of OCD, nutritional supplements, such as L-theanine, may provide a more beneficial impact without all the negative side effects. In fact, many combination therapies are already utilizing L-theanine.

However, when considering nutritional supplements for OCD symptom management, the quality of the supplement and the trustworthiness of the brand are of the utmost importance. Enter Human Tonik, a supplement company at the forefront of the health and wellness sector.

Human Tonik offers a variety of health and wellness supplements including L-theanine, along with third-party testing and full ingredient transparency. Human Tonik does not utilize proprietary blends so you always know exactly what and how much is in their products.

Understanding L-theanine

Aside from the possibilities of L-theanine for OCD symptoms management, L-theanine has become quite a popular supplement over the recent years. It touts many potential health benefits ranging from improved sleep, relaxation, and cognitive performance, many of which is why it may be helpful with OCD in the first place.

However, to understand how L-theanine benefits those with OCD, you first need to understand L-theanine. Let’s dive in.

Definition And Properties

L-theanine is one of the 9 non-essential amino acids, a building block for protein. It is considered “non-essential” because our body makes L-theanine on its own and we don’t require it from food like we do the other 11. However, you can get L-theanine from tea, specifically green and black tea leaves.

While this amino acid is not considered essential, it has been associated with a variety of health benefits, such as reducing anxiety, improving sleep, and boosting mental clarity and focus, which is why it’s become a popular supplement in the first place. In fact, L-theanine from green tea leaves has been used extensively in traditional Chinese medicine. (Source)(Source)(Source)

It’s hypothesized that L-theanine provides these benefits by increasing alpha waves in your brain to help your mind relax without causing drowsiness.

This can not only help you chill out, but it can also ease your mind to allow it to focus on other, more important things. When taken at the proper time, it may even help you to wind down and prepare your body for more restful sleep, which also provides tremendous benefits to our mental health. (Source)

In addition to teas, you can find L-theanine in coffee and some varieties of mushrooms. While there are many purported benefits of taking L-theanine, this supplement is still being studied as there remains limited research regarding its effects on our health and mental wellness.

Always speak with your doctor or healthcare provider before adding an L-theanine supplement to your routine, especially if you are considering taking it for OCD.

L-theanine And OCD

Unfortunately, OCD is not a curable disorder. But with the proper tools, those affected may be able to better manage their symptoms which can help to improve quality of life. While there are many successful medical interventions for OCD, some may wish to pursue a more natural path.

L-theanine has been explored for its potential benefits in managing the symptoms of OCD. Researchers hypothesize that it may help people afflicted with this condition in several ways, including increasing the neurotransmitters GABA and serotonin in the brain. Gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) helps to provide a calming effect while serotonin helps with mood regulation.

Additionally, L-theanine may affect our brain waves. This amino acid is believed to increase alpha waves in our brain, which are associated with relaxation as well as mental alertness.

While the current literature on L-theanine for OCD is limited and research studies are typically conducted on small population groups, the outcomes are promising.

For example, a study published by the Journal of Clinical Psychiatry provided 50 individuals who suffered from OCD with either 200 mg of L-theanine twice a day or a placebo. By the end of the study, those who were given L-theanine experienced a significant reduction in OCD symptoms compared to the placebo group. (Source)

Additionally, another study conducted on 40 individuals suffering from OCD provided 400mg of L-theanine with the same results. While these results are promising, both of these studies were conducted on small sample sizes, and further research utilizing larger population groups is warranted. (Source)

Overall, the research suggests that L-theanine may be a helpful addition in doses of 200-400 mg for symptom management in those with mild to moderate OCD.

Other Benefits Of L-theanine

In addition to potentially mitigating OCD symptoms, L-theanine may provide other health benefits including reducing stress and anxiety and providing enhanced cognitive function.

Anxiety And Stress Reduction

While sipping on a hot cup of tea can provide its own calming effects, the L-theanine in tea may be the real reason you feel your stress and anxiety melting away as your cup grows empty.

In fact, a review that included five randomized controlled trials of over 100 participants found that four of the trials were able to successfully link L-theanine supplementation with improvements in stress and anxiety levels. (Source) 

These studies linked the likely reason behind L-theanine’s calming effects to its alterations in neurotransmitter levels; however, the exact mechanism remains unknown, and further research is still underway.

In addition to reducing stress and anxiety, L-theanine may also be helpful in promoting restful sleep. While this could be related to the calming effect it has, it’s safe to say many of us sleep a lot better when we aren’t struggling with high stress or anxiety.

L-theanine has strong potential to be utilized as a safe, natural alternative to sleep medication because of its anxiolytic effects. (Source)

Cognitive Enhancement

L-theanine may also be helpful in improving focus and cognition.

For example, one study found that 97 mg of L-theanine combined with 40mg of caffeine helped to increase focus and attention in a group of young adults completing demanding tasks. (Source)

Another study on middle-aged and older subjects in Japan found that L-theanine may contribute to improving attention and enhancing working memory and executive functions. (Source)

This is likely related to the same effects L-theanine has on sleep. It’s believed the increase in alpha brain waves is to thank for the increased alertness, focus, and creativity, while also enhancing relaxation. (Source)

Human Tonik’s Supplement Offerings

Now that we know about the potential benefits of L-theanine, it’s time to shine the spotlight on Human Tonik, a health and wellness supplement brand that works hard to ensure high-quality, research-backed products that focus on health and well-being. We don’t want to choose just any L-theanine supplement, we want the best.

Product Overview

Human Tonik is a supplement company that aims to provide ethical, transparent supplements that work and improve the lives of their customers.

It all started with their founder Adam Wright who suffered from Chronic Fatigue Syndrome and was desperate for an answer to his own struggles. This led him to create his own super greens product which is packed with vitamins, minerals, and other essential nutrients that help meet all your needs and then some.

Human Tonik’s Supergreen Powder, along with all of the Human Tonik product line, is 100% transparent with full ingredient labels. No proprietary blends here. They also offer third-party testing for quality and purity, so you know what you’re getting is good.

Human Tonik’s Supergreen Tonik provides 250 mg of L-theanine per serving along with 38 plant-based superfoods, adaptogens, and nutrients for better energy, immunity, focus, and overall health.

Human Tonik Customers are raving about their Supergreens powder, which was granted 4.7 out of 5 stars on their website. Consumers stated “Lifesaver for my on-the-go lifestyle” and “Quality and transparency make it a top choice” among many others. 

While you aren’t required to choose Human Tonik products for your L-theanine supplement needs, they should be a top contender on your list.

Not only do you get a science-backed dosage of L-theanine per serving, but you also get the benefits of a variety of added superfood ingredients.

Safe Use Of L-theanine

Like any supplement, there are dosage recommendations and safety precautions that should be taken into consideration.

Dosage And Administration

There has not been any conclusive research regarding an optimal dosage for L-theanine however, many research studies utilizing L-theanine for OCD found success in doses of 100-400 mg daily.

L-theanine can be found in powders, pills, capsules, and gummies. Additionally, you can consume L-theanine in teas.

One cup of black tea contains roughly 25-30 mg of L-theanine. The calming effects may begin to show between 40-60 minutes after taking L-theanine in those who consumed between 50-200 mg. (Source)(Source)

Safety Precautions

Taking L-theanine supplements is generally considered safe and tolerated well by most healthy adults.

However, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) does not regulate this supplement and it’s up to the manufacturers to ensure product safety. Because of this, it’s essential to choose products from trusted brands.

L-theanine has not been found to cause any serious side effects. Some may experience nausea, upset stomach, or irritability if consuming high amounts of L-theanine in the form of tea. This may be less likely from the L-theanine itself and more because of the caffeine content.

L-theanine may interact with certain medications, such as chemotherapy drugs. Always speak to your doctor or healthcare provider before taking an L-theanine supplement, especially if you are taking any of these medications. Pregnant or nursing women should not consume L-theanine supplements.

To avoid side effects and get the most from your L-theanine, be sure to take it consistently, ideally in the morning with food and a glass of water. Avoid taking doses that exceed 500 mg a day.

Conclusion

L-theanine is a naturally occurring non-essential amino acid found commonly in teas. It has been studied extensively for its various potential health benefits, which include managing OCD symptoms.

OCD can be a debilitating disorder that wreaks havoc on one’s mental health and well-being. While there are medical interventions, those who suffer from mild to moderate forms of OCD may wish to pursue a more holistic path.

While the current literature on L-theanine and OCD symptom management is limited, of the studies available the results are promising. While it is not yet a recommended treatment by medical professionals, L-theanine is a naturally occurring compound that is considered safe and may be beneficial to those struggling with mental health challenges as a result of OCD impairments.

L-theanine is currently available in many different forms for supplement use However, as this is not regulated by the FDA it’s important to choose your supplement wisely if you wish to pursue this route. Look for supplement brands that are trusted and provide holistic, well-rounded, and transparent ingredients such as Human Tonik Supergreen Tonik powder.

Human Tonik includes a variety of supplements with ingredients geared towards the improvement of their consumers’ mental and physical well-being without all the fluff and confusion.

If you are on the fence about trying out an L-theanine supplement, Human Tonik products are a good place to start as they will provide not only great products but also peace of mind.

FAQs

1. Which Supplement Is Best For OCD?

There are several supplements known to potentially aid in managing OCD symptoms.

While the choice of the best supplement can depend on individual health conditions and preferences, many have found relief with natural supplements such as L-theanine.

Additionally, incorporating a greens supplement like Human Tonik’s SuperGreen Tonik, which is rich in various nutrients, can be a holistic approach to managing OCD symptoms.

What Is The Best Mood Stabilizer For OCD?

The best mood stabilizer for OCD should ideally be determined in consultation with a healthcare provider.

That being said, many individuals have reported benefits from using natural supplements that contain L-theanine, an amino acid known for its calming effects and potential to stabilize mood.

A well-rounded approach might also include a greens supplement, which can nourish the body and support overall mental health.

Is L-theanine Good For Mental Health?

Yes, L-theanine is widely recognized for its potential benefits on mental health.

It is known to promote relaxation without drowsiness, potentially helping to reduce anxiety and stress. Moreover, it can enhance cognitive performance and improve sleep quality.

Including L-theanine as part of a daily regimen, possibly in combination with a greens supplement, can be a promising strategy for fostering mental well-being.

What Natural Medicine Helps OCD?

Several natural remedies and supplements can potentially assist in alleviating OCD symptoms. Apart from L-theanine, other natural substances like Inositol, Magnesium, and Omega-3 fatty acids have been explored for their potential benefits.

A greens supplement, rich in various vital nutrients, can be a natural approach to supporting the body and mind in managing OCD symptoms. However, it’s essential to consult with a healthcare provider before starting any new supplement regimen.