The truth is, you can take L-theanine any time of the day. When taken in the morning, it can be a great tool for reducing stress and anxiety. When taken at night, this amino acid might be the secret ingredient you need to achieve sweet dreams and a night of restful sleep.
What Is L-Theanine?
Before we talk about timing, let’s break down what L-theanine is and what it does. Found naturally in tea leaves, L-theanine is an amino acid that works behind the scenes to help clear your mind.
How much L-theanine is in green tea, you ask? A cup of green tea can have anywhere between five to twenty milligrams of L-theanine, depending on the brand and how it’s brewed.
By boosting levels of feel-good neurotransmitters like dopamine and serotonin, L-theanine can help take the edge off stress and make you feel calm. When it comes to using L-theanine for ADHD, the supplement can also help people focus and feel more in control.
Timing Is Everything: L-Theanine and Your Nighttime Routine
Now, let’s talk about timing. If you want to take L-theanine in hopes of bettering your sleep or having deep L-theanine dreams, how soon should you take it before bed?
To get the best results, try taking it within an hour before your bedtime. That thirty- to sixty-minute window can allow the amino acid to work its calming magic as you wind down for the evening. If you plan to combine L-theanine with other sleep aids like melatonin, you’ll want to be sure you read the instructions in depth and talk to your healthcare provider before adding it to your sleep routine.
Finding Daytime Calm
Better rest will likely lead to you feeling more cool, calm, and collected during the daytime. If you prefer to take L-theanine as part of your morning routine, it can help you start your day off right.
Taking L-theanine in the morning or early afternoon can help you balance your mood, find your focus, and set a positive tone for your productivity levels. It can do wonders for dealing with your daily stresses.
While you don’t necessarily need to take L-theanine with food, it may be a good idea to avoid the risk of any tummy troubles during the day.
Is L-Theanine the Solution for Me?
While L-theanine can be a fantastic ally in tackling stress, sharpening focus, and improving sleep, it’s not a magical fix-all. All of us at Optimal Circadian Health believe the real game-changer is taking care of your mitochondria.
Mitochondria are like the engines that power your body. These cells affect everything from how energized you feel to the quality of your sleep. There are many ways to prioritize their health, including eating a balanced diet and getting regular exercise. If you’re interested in caring for your metabolic health, check out Sleep Apnea Solution and take advantage of the additional resources offered by Optimal Circadian Health. These will give you tips and tricks needed to cut down on stress and rid yourself of the nightmare of bad sleep!
Dylan Petkus, MD, MPH, MS
Dr. Dylan Petkus is on a mission to help people overcome their health issues like sleep apnea so they are not limited by their condition or trapped by options that don’t provide full resolution.
He earned his Master’s of Science in Physiology at Pennsylvania State University where he was awarded a research fellowship and was a peer-reviewed published author. He went on to earn both his Master’s in Public Health and Medical Degree from the University of Miami Miller School of Medicine. Thereafter, he specialized in Family Medicine to help patients on the front-line of chronic disease.
Having overcome his own health challenges, including sleep apnea, he strives to help empower others to live fuller, healthier lives.