Does L-Theanine Lower Cortisol?

L-theanine is a popular amino acid that occurs naturally in green tea. It can inhibit the production of a stress hormone known as ‘cortisol’ through its calming effect.

L-theanine–just like any other supplement–can affect you in different ways. This is why it’s important to understand how this amino acid works. L-theanine is not for everyone, so always consult with a licensed healthcare professional before introducing L-theanine into your daily regime.

L-theanine can come with side effects that can impact your daily life. For instance, some people experience vivid dreams with L-theanine. There also isn’t conclusive evidence that L-theanine is safe to use during pregnancy.

In this article, we’ll discuss how L-theanine may be able to help lower your cortisol levels, as well as other strategies to enhance natural sleep.

How Does L-Theanine Lower Cortisol?

Enhanced Calmness

L-theanine can offer enhanced relaxation without making you feel lethargic. L-theanine promotes the production of dopamine and serotonin in your brain, resulting in a calm–yet focused–mental state.

This effect can regulate your body’s response to stressful situations, thus lowering your cortisol levels. Cortisol is a steroid hormone released by your adrenal glands to regulate your body’s response to stress. High levels of cortisol can cause headaches, sleep issues, and more.

Does L-theanine affect blood pressure? It can–with its calming effect, this amino acid can keep your heart rate low, thereby stabilizing your blood pressure.

Increased Dopamine and Serotonin Levels

L-theanine promotes the release of essential neurotransmitters, including serotonin, dopamine, and gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) that are important for regulating your mood.

These neurotransmitters also counteract the adverse effects of the stress hormone through their relaxing effect. So, taking a safe dose of L-theanine in stressful situations can balance your body’s stress response and keep cortisol levels low.

Regulated Adrenal Gland Activity

This amino acid regulates your adrenal gland activities. These glands are responsible for producing cortisol. When you can regulate your body’s stress response, you may experience a controlled release of the stress hormone.

Research Findings

A study conducted by PubMed revealed that L-theanine can influence the psychological and physiological effects of stress by blocking the binding of amino acids responsible for enabling the nerve cells in your brain. These cells regulate various processes in your brain and nervous system.

This study also revealed that L-theanine can lower your heart rate, thus reducing the activation of your nervous system, which triggers your adrenal glands to release cortisol during stress. In the randomized trial, participants exhibited a significant reduction in cortisol production in response to stress in under three hours after taking L-theanine. This finding emphasized the amino acid’s influence on the production of cortisol and overall stress regulation.

Final Thoughts

Numerous studies have supported the connection between regular intake of L-theanine and reduction in the negative effects of overproduction of cortisol in the body. Therefore, you should talk to a qualified medical professional for advice on the amount of L-theanine you should take to reduce cortisol levels in your body.

Looking for other ways to enhance natural sleep? Check out our Breathing Routines Audio and other resources to get your sleep back on track today!