I did some investigating and discovered that theanine is one of the components of tea, especially green tea. It calms apparently and further investigation seems to indicate that it works in the brain and increases serotonin and dopamine, and GABA. That would make sense.
I was quite sure it wasn't the caffeine that drove me.
Properties of Theanine on Wikipedia
Theanine is speculated to produce these effects by increasing the level of gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) production. Theanine increases brain serotonin, dopamine, GABA levels and has micromolar affinities for AMPA, Kainate and NMDA receptors.[6] It has also been found that injecting spontaneously hypertensive mice with theanine significantly lowered levels of 5-hydroxyindoles in the brain.[7] Researchers also speculate that it may inhibit glutamic acid excitotoxicity.[6] Theanine also promotes alpha wave production in the brain.[2]Theanine is speculated to produce these effects by increasing the level of gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) production. Theanine increases brain serotonin, dopamine, GABA levels and has micromolar affinities for AMPA, Kainate and NMDA receptors.[6] It has also been found that injecting spontaneously hypertensive mice with theanine significantly lowered levels of 5-hydroxyindoles in the brain.[7] Researchers also speculate that it may inhibit glutamic acid excitotoxicity.[6] Theanine also promotes alpha wave production in the brain.[2]
WELL! I'll be on the hunt for theanine.
1 comment:
The problem with this theory is that there's actually less theanine in green tea than there is in black tea.
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