What Does L-theanine Do in Pre-Workout?

Medically reviewed by Dr Dimitar Marinov
What Does L-theanine Do in Pre-Workout?

Here’s one for the busy-bodies who want to get their workouts down but continually get distracted. Trust us, we know the struggle. L-theanine is said to do wonders for concentration and productivity, so if that’s what you’re looking for, stick around as we see how it works. 

What Is L-theanine?

L-theanine is an amino acid found in certain mushrooms and tea. It is the most common strain of theanine and is similar to other naturally occurring amino acids like glutamate. It’s known to act in a similar way to glutamate at times but also sometimes counteracts the effects of glutamate. 

Glutamate is responsible for transmitting nerve signals in the brain. So it can help transmission efficiency from nerve to nerve or hinder it. Theanine also affects other chemicals in the brain like dopamine, GABA and serotonin. It’s often used to improve focus and productivity. Medically, it’s also used to treat anxiety, stress and mental impairments. 

What Are The Benefits Of L-theanine In Pre-workout Supplements?

L-theanine in pre-workout supplements has a few benefits, especially if you want something to keep you focused. Here some of them are:

Supports Recovery: L-theanine mostly benefits your mental well-being, but who says that doesn’t influence your recovery time after an intense workout? It supports recovery by easing you into a state of relaxation so your body can recover.

Increases Concentration: One of its main benefits is that it keeps you focused on each exercise to train efficiently to see the best results. Whether you’re running, weight lifting, or swimming, you’ll be able to maintain focus on the things that matter to reach your desired goals.

Sleep Quality: Because L-theanine helps you relax, it’s also known to improve the quality of your sleep, which is a vital part of the recovery process after an intense workout. 

Increased Endurance: Using L-theanine can boost your stamina and endurance. Because it works in a similar way to glutamate, it should help you keep an intense focus on what you’re doing and allow you to point all of your energy in that direction.

You can get L-theanine in tablets or already mixed in your pre-workout. The recommended dosage for taking L-theanine tablets is 200 to 400 mg (2 tablets) a day. For L-theanine mixed into your pre-workout, you’ll need to follow the dosage instructions on your supplement bottle.

How Should You Take L-theanine?

L-theanine can be taken in your pre-workout supplement or by taking the L-theanine tablets with a glass of water. Some even pair L-theanine with a cup of coffee to get them focused.

When Should You Take L-theanine?

L-theanine can be taken at any time of the day. In a pre-workout, you’ll want to take it just before you work out to get the best results. 15 minutes to an hour should suffice as enough time.

Where Can I Buy Pre-Workout Supplements With L-theanine In?

L-theanine can be bought in tablet form or in a few pre-workout supplements as one of the ingredients. Take a look at the Power Supps online store to see what we offer.

What Are The Potential Side Effects Of L-theanine Supplementation?

L-Theanine is generally considered to be quite safe to take with very little side effects. That said, our bodies react differently to certain supplements, so here are a few potential side effects you may experience:

  • Sleepiness
  • Headaches
  • Gastrointestinal Distress
  • An Allergic reaction

It’s always suggested to consult with a healthcare professional before taking medication or supplements. L-theanine is not suggested for people who are pregnant or breastfeeding because it can have an antihypertensive effect. 

Final Thoughts On L-theanine Do in Pre-workout Supplements

L-theanine in pre-workout supplements is a vital ingredient used to keep you focused and alert while training. As a result, you’ll find that you can train faster, harder and for longer and enjoy every second of it!

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