Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsL-theanine for ADHD: Does It Help?What Is L-Theanine?Who Shouldn’t Take ItDosageSide EffectsWhat Is ADHD?ADHD CharacteristicsHow Is ADHD Treated?

Table of ContentsView All

View All

Table of Contents

L-theanine for ADHD: Does It Help?

What Is L-Theanine?

Who Shouldn’t Take It

Dosage

Side Effects

What Is ADHD?

ADHD Characteristics

How Is ADHD Treated?

Close

L-theanine is an amino acid that is found naturally ingreen tea. L-theanine has been shown to have a calming effect and can help reduce anxiety and stress. Some research has also suggested that L-theanine may help certain aspects of ADHD. However, more research is needed to confirm these effects.

At a GlanceL-theanine is a type of amino acid that can be found in green and black tea. There is some research suggesting that it may help improve certain aspects of ADHD, including attention and impulsivity. However, such studies are small, and more evidence is needed to understand the effects of L-theanine on ADHD.

At a Glance

L-theanine is a type of amino acid that can be found in green and black tea. There is some research suggesting that it may help improve certain aspects of ADHD, including attention and impulsivity. However, such studies are small, and more evidence is needed to understand the effects of L-theanine on ADHD.

L-theanine may offer a natural way to treat ADHD. L-theanine can help improve attention and focus and has a calming effect on the mind. It is also relatively safe, with few side effects. If you are considering taking L-theanine for ADHD, it is important to talk to your doctor first.

Research on L-Theanine for ADHD

A small 2019 study found that L-theanine and caffeine seemed to improve aspects of ADHD, including sustained attention and overall cognitive performance.

Another small study published in the journalScientific Reportsfound that L-theanine improved attention in boys with ADHD.The study looked at 5 boys with ADHD between the ages of 8 and 15. The boys were given either 2.5 mg/kg of L-theanine, 2.0 mg/kg of caffeine, their combination, or a placebo prior to engaging in a task.

Boys who had taken L-theanine with caffeine showed significantly improved attention and focus compared to those who had taken the placebo.

There is also research indicating that L-theanine might help with sleep disturbance in ADHD. A systematic review study published in theJournal of Child and Adolescent Psychopharmacologyfound that L-theanine may help improve sleep efficiency in those with ADHD.

While there is some promising research on the use of L-theanine for ADHD, more research is needed to confirm these findings.

Does L-Theanine Need to Be Combined With Caffeine?

L-theanine can be taken alone or in combination withcaffeine. A study published in the journalNutritional Neurosciencefound that L-theanine and caffeine improved attention and focus in adults.

Twenty male participants were given either 200 mg of L-theanine, 160 mg of caffeine, their combination, one cup of black tea, or a placebo. Participants who had taken L-theanine, caffeine, or their combination showed significantly improved attention and focus compared to those who had taken the placebo.

Research also suggests that combining L-theanine and caffeine appears to help decrease impulsivity in children with ADHD.

L-theanine belongs to a class of compounds known as amino acids.Amino acids are the building blocks of proteins. L-theanine is found naturally in green tea. It is also available in supplement form.

L-theanine has been shown to have a calming effect and can help reduceanxiety and stress.Some research also suggests that L-theanine may help improveattention and focus.

How Can I Get L-Theanine?

You can get L-theanine from green tea or in supplement form. L-theanine supplements are also available and are generally considered safe. However, as with any supplement, it is always best to talk to your doctor to ensure that it’s safe for you.

Who Should Not Take L-Theanine?

L-theanine is generally considered safe for most people. However, there are some people who should not take L-theanine.These include pregnant or breastfeeding women, children, and people with pre-existing medical conditions.

If you have any concerns about taking L-theanine, talk to your doctor. Before you take L-theanine, always tell your doctor about any other medications or supplements you are currently taking to avoid potential drug interactions.

How Much L-Theanine Should You Take?

The amount of L-theanine you should take depends on a variety of factors, including your age, weight, and health condition. In one study, researchers gave participants the following dosages of L-theanine:

Talking to your doctor before taking L-theanine or any other supplement is always best.

Side Effects of L-Theanine

L-theanine is generally well tolerated and has few side effects.The most common side effect isnausea.

In one study, some children developed facial tics while taking L-theanine. This side effect went away once use of the supplement was stopped.

If you experience any side effects, stop taking L-theanine and talk to your doctor.

L-theanine may interact with certain medications, such asantidepressantsand blood pressure medications. If you are taking any medications, it is always best to talk to your doctor before taking L-theanine or any other supplement.

ADHD affects children and adults of all ages and can lead to problems at home, school, work, or in relationships.

ADHD traits generally fall under two umbrella types: inattentiveness and hyperactivity/impulsivity.According to theAmerican Psychiatric Association’s Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition (DSM-5), a person must display at least six symptoms from one or both categories to be diagnosed with ADHD.

Inattention

Inattention characteristicsmay include:

Hyperactivity/Impulsivity

Hyperactivity/impulsivitycharacteristics may include:

There is no cure for ADHD, but there are treatments that can help manage it. It is important to recognize that while ADHD is considered a disability, this is because people with ADHD brains are expected to conform to society’sneurotypicalexpectations.

ADHD brains work differently, so people with this neurotype may need certain accommodations or tools to manage tasks and organize their time effectively.

Treatment typically involves a combination of medication and therapy.

Medication

Commonstimulant medicationsused to treat ADHD include methylphenidate(Ritalin, Concerta) and amphetamines(Adderall, Vyvanse).

Psychotherapy

Neurodiversity-affirming therapy andcognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT)can also be helpful in treating ADHD.CBT can help people learn to manage their ADHD traits andtake advantage of their strengths.

What This Means For YouIf you are considering taking L-theanine for ADHD, it is essential to talk to your doctor first. While there is some promising research on the use of L-theanine for ADHD, more research is needed to confirm these findings. L-theanine may interact with certain medications, so it is always best to talk to your doctor before taking L-theanine or any other supplement.

What This Means For You

If you are considering taking L-theanine for ADHD, it is essential to talk to your doctor first. While there is some promising research on the use of L-theanine for ADHD, more research is needed to confirm these findings. L-theanine may interact with certain medications, so it is always best to talk to your doctor before taking L-theanine or any other supplement.

12 Sources

Verywell Mind uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.

Kahathuduwa CN, Wakefield S, West BD, et al.Effects of L-theanine-caffeine combination on sustained attention and inhibitory control among children with ADHD: a proof-of-concept neuroimaging RCT.Sci Rep. 2020;10(1):13072. Published 2020 Aug 4. doi:10.1038/s41598-020-70037-7

Barrett JR, Tracy DK, Giaroli G.To sleep or not to sleep: a systematic review of the literature of pharmacological treatments of insomnia in children and adolescents with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder.J Child Adolesc Psychopharmacol. 2013;23(10):640-647. doi:10.1089/cap.2013.0059

Kahathuduwa CN, Dassanayake TL, Amarakoon AMT, Weerasinghe VS.Acute effects of theanine, caffeine and theanine-caffeine combination on attention.Nutr Neurosci. 2017;20(6):369-377. doi:10.1080/1028415X.2016.1144845

Li MY, Liu HY, Wu DT, et al.L-Theanine: A Unique Functional Amino Acid in Tea (Camellia sinensisL.) With Multiple Health Benefits and Food Applications.Front Nutr. 2022;9:853846. Published 2022 Apr 4. doi:10.3389/fnut.2022.853846

National Library of Medicine.L-Theanine.

National Institute of Mental Health.Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder.

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Symptoms and Diagnosis of ADHD.

Caye A, Swanson JM, Coghill D, Rohde LA.Treatment strategies for ADHD: an evidence-based guide to select optimal treatment.Mol Psychiatry. 2019;24(3):390-408. doi:10.1038/s41380-018-0116-3

Wenthur CJ.Classics in Chemical Neuroscience: Methylphenidate.ACS Chem Neurosci. 2016;7(8):1030-1040. doi:10.1021/acschemneuro.6b00199

Castells X, Blanco-Silvente L, Cunill R.Amphetamines for attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) in adults.Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2018;8(8):CD007813. Published 2018 Aug 9. doi:10.1002/14651858.CD007813.pub3

Knouse LE, Teller J, Brooks MA.Meta-analysis of cognitive-behavioral treatments for adult ADHD.J Consult Clin Psychol. 2017;85(7):737-750. doi:10.1037/ccp0000216

Meet Our Review Board

Share Feedback

Was this page helpful?Thanks for your feedback!What is your feedback?HelpfulReport an ErrorOtherSubmit

Was this page helpful?

Thanks for your feedback!

What is your feedback?HelpfulReport an ErrorOtherSubmit

What is your feedback?