L-Theanine

Role

Calm focus — promotes relaxed attention without sedation

Amount

• Per serving: 1/8 tsp (~200 mg)
• Per batch (×48): 2 tbsp

Nutrition

• ~200 mg per serving
• No established DV

Safety

• ✅ MCAS safe
• ✅ Low salicylate
• Safe for everyone in household (adults — limited data for children)

How It Works

• Amino acid naturally found in tea (Camellia sinensis)
• Increases alpha brain wave activity — associated with relaxed alertness
• Promotes GABA, dopamine, and serotonin production
• Crosses the blood-brain barrier within ~1 hour, levels remain elevated for ~5 hours
• Does NOT cause drowsiness

ADHD Relevance

Particularly relevant for ADHD:

• Promotes focused attention without stimulation
• Synergizes with caffeine (if you drink coffee) — smooths out jittery edge while enhancing focus
• Optimal caffeine:theanine ratio is 1:2 (100mg caffeine : 200mg theanine)

Dosing

• 200-400 mg/day is the typical studied range
• At 200mg per tumbler, 2 tumblers/day = 400mg — top of studied range
• Up to 900mg/day has been used safely in 8-week studies
• Start at 200mg and adjust as needed

Waterboy Comparison

Waterboy includes L-Theanine in their formula — this matches that ingredient.

Source

Micro Ingredients, 100g — ~$16, ~333 servings, reorder every ~10 weeks