A few important things to note before I begin:
1) I have type 2 bipolar disorder, also known as hypomanic bipolar disorder (not the same as type 1, which is hypermanic bipolar disorder)
2) I'm on other supplements
3) I am very sensitive to caffeine, and stopped drinking coffee almost a year ago because it causes intense heart palpitations multiple times a day and night, but still drink green and black tea even though that's also enough to cause heart palpitations. I drink only one or two cups a day max, with a cup measuring eight fluid ounces. The only other fluids I drink are juice and water, with the occasional hot chocolate on cold nights - and yes chocolate does contain caffeine.
4) I took this nightly for 5 months. Based on studies published on PubMed, L-theanine should be cycled, you take it for a while and then stop before starting again if needed. WebMD suggests no longer than 3 months on and at least one month off. I did not do this because at the time I wasn't aware I needed to.
5) I'm in my 30s
When taking this for the first few months I could not tell if it was doing me any good. I was taking it at night an hour or so before bed, typically after having drank tea during the day and thus with caffeine already in my system. My intention was to have something to help calm me down before bed, as L-Theanine is documented to work well with caffeine to have that effect.
I honestly don't know if it made any difference, but in my head I convinced myself it did. Within the 4th and 5th month of taking it I became convinced it wasn't doing anything and I was noticing my heart was pounding at night while trying to fall asleep.
This may be where cycling comes into play, and it is possible that because I took it for so long it was basically having no effect on me anymore. So I decided to stop taking it.
Holy hell, these last 2 weeks have been awful, I've been wide awake at 2 or 4 am, having never gone to sleep some nights, and then other nights I'm out by 10:00. When I do go to sleep, I'm out like a light and struggle to wake up or get out of bed.
Two possible scenarios are happening, my mind/body is trying to find equilibrium and is in all kinds of disarray after becoming accustomed to this substance, or coming off the substance has triggered my mental health condition. Either is equally possible, though it could also be any number of other factors I'm not considering.
I've read forum posts where others have claimed a similar experience while on L-Theanine and coming off it. So, if you are like me and you have some type of mental health condition like bipolar disorder or generalized anxiety disorder, consider that it may make things more challenging for you in the long term.
Additionally this is one of many similar substances that can affect your blood pressure, frequently causing it to lower. If you take other similar substances that are already doing that, it make cause serious issues with becoming dizzy, faint, fatigued, weak, etc. I didn't notice this happening for me, but I did notice that I felt colder all the time and that's very much not like me, I am usually hot all the time. No idea if it was related.
If you're smarter than me, you'll consult your medical provider before randomly trying things you bought in a store or online based solely on an advertisement, a few buyer reviews, and a quick Google search. Even these types of "naturally" occuring substances (in this case an amino acid) can have serious side-effects when you don't take all things into consideration, especially when your on other supplements whether they are pharmaceutical or nutriceutical, and if you're atypical and have a mental health condition that causes your brain to function differently from the average person.
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From the manufacturer
Videos
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4:49
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NOW L-Theanine Review (WATCH THIS BEFORE YOU PURCHASE)
Benjamin Jacques
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1:01
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My Experience With Now Supplements L-Theanine
Ethan Blanchette
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0:05
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Customer Review: Helps relax you and sleep better.
Christina
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0:30
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The NOW Quality Difference
NOW Foods
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4:05
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Integrative Therapeutics L-Theanine Review (VERY IMPORTANT)
Benjamin Jacques
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1:11
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A Closer Look At NOW Supplements Magtein
Ethan Blanchette
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2:35
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Sports Research - The Sport of Life
Sports Research
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0:55
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Watch BEFORE Buying - Theanine
My thoughts as a customer...
So I have tried three different brands of L-theanine supplements and found that this NOW supplements was the most effective. The other brands left me feeling either no different or slightly more relaxed, but NOW brand had a noticeable impact on my stress levels and overall sense of well-being after taking it for a few weeks. The best part that happened to me was I felt a sense of calm that lasted throughout the day. The capsules are easy to swallow and I like bottle has a convenient flip-top cap for easy dispensing. But it is NOT childproof. Overall, I am very satisfied with this brand.
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