I tried it, several times and at different dosages, but it doesn't work for me. No effect whatsoever. I wonder why ...
15 - 30 minutes into one starter dose, and I felt terribly worse.
No professional explanation. It was only years later, when I ran across reporting about serotonin poisoning, that I had a possible explanation. The symptoms certainly fit.
A friend has used Zoloft for years, to what she feels is positive effect. And in many ways, we are fairly similar -- certainly, our psychological profiles align substantially.
Nonetheless, what works for her, does not for me at all.
I've experienced it once, after a particularly incompetent new pain management doctor made me try a cocktail of anti-depressants for pain relief. (their reasoning being that "it's all in your head"). I felt utterly awful, pulse racing, severe anxiety and horrible mixing of panic and terror.
It's imperative that people on multiple medications take Serotonin Syndrome very, very seriously. I'm very sorry you experienced it, I wouldn't wish it upon anyone.
(The pain management doctor was fired a couple of months later by the university hospital. Complaints from patients, nurses, pharmacists and insurers had been mounting.)
I'd say 10-20% of the time that I take it, I am unable to fall asleep and don't become tired. The longer I stay away, I feel incredibly restless and twitchy to the point of actual anger. I'll lie awake in bed until 5 or 6 AM (after taking melatonin at 11pm or midnight). It gets to the point where I feel like I need to do some kind of physical activity in order to relax. My eyes and chest often feel heavy but my legs are tense, restless and twitch.
Sure seems like Restless Leg Syndrome just from proof reading this. Based on my first look into RLS just now, there could be a link to low Vitamin B, which could be triggered from a Saturday of drinking and then expecting melatonin on Sunday to set me up for a productive Monday.
But with tea, I just get nervous and irritable. Maybe weaker tea would be better. Or green tea, rather than fermented. Yes?
For what it's worth, I've been diagnosed bipolar, and take modafinil. So perhaps I respond atypically to caffeine vs L-theanine.
liver toxicity aside
That's what I was looking for. I recall a burst of interest/hype (choose your word), several years ago, about L-theanine. One company/salesman (the very prominent-looking, TV type, although I think this may have been via one of those suspicious-looking PBS specials [1]), was promoting it in a topical cream. Apparently, it would pass from that into the bloodstream.
There was little if any discussion in that... "pitch" about dosage limits. 'It sooths you. Rub it on. Rub on some more...'
I wondered. And more recently, I finally started seeing reporting of downsides -- although I didn't see much. Liver toxicity.
Like so many other drugs/supplements (choose your word), a lot of harm to reputation and perhaps also people is done, when no work or discussion is included about effective and safe dosage.
Like the "self-taught" herbalist my acupuncture friend had a (non-romantic) "thing" for, years ago. "Intuitively" brewing up pots of herbal tea for people, in his home. Not wanting to disappoint her, nor offend him, I drank some. And felt like crap for two days. Thank goodness my liver made it through unscathed.
I don't want the FDA shutting down everything on behalf of the pharmaceutical companies (who've played their significant roles in side-lining a lot of effective but unprofitable -- for them -- treatment). But I would welcome more intelligent conversation about and thoughtful approach to these things.
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1. PBS == Public Broadcasting System, i.e. publicly funded television, in the U.S. That's been taking on more and more commercial tinges, in return for corporate sponsorships, as the public money has fallen short.
Rather, of people promoting [product] without having real knowledge of it, including appropriate application and dosage.
This would be more in the vein of traditional Chinese medicine. Only, "intuitively", without the normal training and basis in extensive empirical observation condensed into an effective curriculum, apprenticeship, or similar proven method of conveyance.
Does that mean that you could get the same effect from consuming MSG?
Interesting. I've tried L-glutamine, also several times at common dosages, and it makes me feel strange, like calm on the one hand, while edgy on the other hand. It's difficult to explain, but my voice felt calmer and my ears felt more anxious. I first thought the product I bought was contaminated, so I tried two more brands, with the same effect.
One thing is for sure: L-glutamine has much more effect on me than L-theanine (which basically does nothing).
I wouldn't worry about it unless you're taking tons of supplements every day by the handful or if you're a heavy drinker. However, do get physicals at least once a year with a liver panel that can track if your liver starts to degrade. Liver disease is generally a slowly developing chronic condition tied to lifestyle so you can usually right the ship if you're mindful of the risks.
Take it with a cup of coffee and the caffeine boost lasts longer and is much smoother.