It’s thought that insomnia plagues about a third of the population — no wonder so many people turn to supplements in order to get a good night’s sleep.
Some sleep hackers are turning to L-Theanine for insomnia, but is it all it’s cracked up to be?
L-Theanine is said to promote relaxation and reduce stress, and it’s well-known for being a highly effective sleep remedy.
We’re going to address whether or not L-Theanine can really help you sleep better, as well as test some of the best supplements on the market.
Let’s find out more…
Contents
What is L-Theanine?
L-Theanine is an amino acid found in the green leaves of the tea plant (Camelia Sinensis) that isn’t generally found elsewhere in the human diet.
In order to access its relaxation properties, you have to ingest it orally (usually via a tablet or capsule).
It was first discovered in Japan by Buddhist monks who drank lots of green tea to keep themselves calm during their long hours of meditation.
Not only is it a powerful mental and physical stress reliever but L-Theanine also offers many other benefits, such as the following:
- Improve quality of sleep
- Alleviate depression
- Support the immune system
- Improve focus and learning
- Lower blood pressure
- Relieve PMS symptoms
- Slow the growth of tumors
- Stimulate alpha waves in the brain
- Assist in weight loss programs
L-Theanine is a naturally occurring amino acid that is a viable alternative to sleeping tablets for everyone who wants to improve their sleep the natural way.
The chemical structure of L-Theanine
Is L-Theanine Good for Sleep?
That’s all well and good, you may be thinking, but will it really improve my sleep?
In a word: yes. L-Theanine can actually help you to fall asleep faster and easier, as well as extend the duration of deep sleep. This is great if you find yourself waking up several times during the night. Research also shows that it may promote dreaming.
But that’s not all.
L-Theanine helps to restore your wake cycle, meaning you’ll feel less groggy and more refreshed in the morning as you won’t be disrupting the natural stages of your sleep as you might if you suffer from insomnia.
Many sleep hackers prefer L-Theanine over other supplements as it doesn’t produce a sedative effect; simply a relaxing one. Instead of making you drowsy like a sleeping tablet might do, L-Theanine simply puts you in the state of mind that allows sleep to come more easily.
It may not have the knock-out sleepy effect you’re seeking, but it certainly has a lot to offer for relaxation and de-stressing.
Dosage & Guidance
When it comes to the right dosage, every individual is different and you should always seek professional advice from your doctor.
Most experts advise you to avoid taking L-Theanine if you’re a child, pregnant or nursing.
For optimum results, you should take L-Theanine at the same time each day, and ideally, around 30 minutes to 1 hour before bedtime.
It’s also worth noting that you may not experience fast-acting results. You need to allow your body to adjust to learning new sleep patterns over a few days or even weeks, especially if you’re a long time sufferer of a sleep disorder like insomnia.
L-Theanine For Sleep: Best Supplements
We’ve reviewed some of the best products on the market offering L-Theanine for sleep. Remember to consult a physician for the most accurate and personalized dosing and advice.
TR Supplements Natural L-Theanine
This all-natural amino acid supplement promises to relieve stress and promote relaxation for some good quality shut-eye. Derived from green tea leaves, it helps you to focus on staying calm both day and night. You’ll also feel more focused when tackling everyday tasks and have more energy in the long run.
What’s more this product is reasonably priced, giving you another great reason to sleep easy.
- 120 capsules
- 100% non-GMO
- 200mg (double strength)
- Gluten free and vegetarian
- GMP Certified
BulkSupplements Pure L-Theanine Powder
Prepare to feel a sense of calm with this clean and pure L-Theanine powder from BulkSupplements. This product also claims to help lower blood pressure and increase alertness if you take it during the day. The powder formulation could allow you to mix a dose into smoothies or into a nighttime drink perhaps.
It’s also a great mood enhancer, and the price is pretty fair too. It’s also available in 2.2 lbs and 11 lbs sizes.
- 400 powder servings per container
- Contains no fillers, sugar, soy, dairy, yeast, gluten or additives
- Pouch is made of foil and factory sealed
- Lab tested for purity
Sports Research Suntheanine and Coconut Oil Double Strength L-Theanine
Sports Research’s award-winning patented ingredient Suntheanine has been clinically proven to promote an alert state of relaxation without drowsiness.
This natural form of L-Theanine was formulated with organic virgin coconut oil into a liquid softgel and, like the TR Supplements version, is double strength at 200 mg.
- 60 softgels at 200mg each
- 90 day satisfaction guarantee
- Non-GMO and gluten free
- Also contains no gluten, dairy, egg, peanut, fish, soy, shellfish, wheat, yeast, fillers, binders, preservatives or magnesium stearate
Now Foods L-Theanine Veg-Capsules
This Now Foods formula is also double strength and is particularly valued as a stress management supplement.
The formulation contains Inositol — a B Vitamin — which is essential for maintaining and achieving optimal brain and nervous system health. It also helps to keep you sharp and focused without making you drowsy so can be taken earlier in the day rather than just before bed.
- 120 capsules
- 200 mg strength (+ 100 mg of Inositol)
- Vegetarian
- Contains no wheat, gluten, soy, milk egg, fish, shellfish or tree nut
- Produced in a GMP facility
- Also contains vegetable polysaccharide, silica and magnesium stearate as other ingredients
LiftMode L-Theanine
This mood enhancing L-Theanine supplement promotes relaxation and focus, and can significantly reduce feelings of anxiety. It works well when used with caffeine to improve focus during the day, and also boasts of the ability to reduce the negative effects of alcohol and stress.
By decreasing stress, you can fall asleep faster and the powerful antioxidants found in this product can help the body to remove free radicals and bad cholesterol too.
- Dietary supplement powder
- Contains 250 servings at 200 mg L-Theanine per serving
- Over 99% purity
- Can help to stabilize blood pressure
So that’s everything you need to know about L-Theanine for sleep, and how it’s a handy and safe supplement that has amazing relaxation and stress relieving properties.
Have you tried L-Theanine for insomnia yet?
