Hey quick question, I've tried melatonin for sleeping and for relaxation and i love the product i usually take about 3-4mg before bed and it works wonders, but i was wondering if any1 has tried Suntheanine... b/c it is supposedly very close to melatonin with the same effects. Is it worth the $ or would you guys stay with melatonin.
-Thnx Matt
If melatonin works for you, you might want to stick to it. It is just that some user's may have a problem to find the particular dose that works for them. Anything from 150mcg to 10mg (or higher for therapeutic purposes). If the dose is not right, the right outcome will remain elusive. Besides, melatonin is a hormone and has a risk of overdosing.
L-Theanine, for me, though is a rather cool and versatile compound. Suntheanine is a brand, just like Forslean is a brand of Forskolin. Here is part of a post I contributed in a different thread:
Theanine constitutes about half the amino acids in tea (you get about 20-60mg per cup of tea!). Theanine gives tea its taste. L-Theanine supplementation can provide benefits such as reduced anxiety, improved cognitive abilities, neuroprotective support, improvement in mood, lowered blood pressure, reduced cholesterol levels, anti-carcinogenic and antioxidant effects, enhancement of the immune system, and weight loss.
L-Theanine's most important benefits, though, are in the area of the brain. After ingestion, L-Theanine is absorbed in the intestine and is then carried by an amino acid transporter beyond the blood-brain barrier. Structurally, L-theanine is similar to glutamic acid. This means that it competes with glutamic acid in terms of binding to glutamate receptors, thereby protecting against glutamate neurotoxicity. Furthermore, this competition with glutamic acid produces an increase in serotonin and dopamine levels in certain areas of the brain, leads to an increase in GABA, as well as an increase in the level of the so-called brain alpha wave activity (a state of being very relaxed while being awake. This is typically the state just before dropping off to sleep). The increase in alpha wave activity in the brain is measurable after about 30 minutes of L-Theanine supplementation, with the full effect setting in after about 40 minutes.
(Brain beta wave activity, on the other hand, is related to high stress periods).
Besides, L-Theanine also neutralizes the anxiety-promoting or stimulant effects of caffeine. This might help explain why green tea (which contains some caffeine but lots of theanine) also produces a relaxing and calming effect, in spite of the caffeine content.
Some students use L-Theanine while preparing for, and during, examinations. That way, they optimize their cognitive function and cut stress during the examination itself. Some professionals use it during interviews to remain calm, alert, and concentrated. As a sleep aid, it is also highly effective.
Theanine is non-toxic, even in large doses. To develop serious problems, you would need to consume 5g/kg. This translates to 500 grammes for a 100kg (210 lb) athlete!
Anyway, the recommended dose is 200 mg two to three times daily. It tastes mild and mixes well in water.
One of my favourite supplements :thumbsup:
Melatonin is also a multi-functional compound. It is very valuable for people who travel a lot and experience jet-lags; for individuals on night duty; and as a general sleep aid, especially for older folks (melatonin secretion by the pineal gland falls with age). Dosage, however, is not as clear cut as with L-Theanine. It can vary from 150mcg to about 10mg for different people.
