L-theanine is a non-proteinaceous amino acid that has interesting nutritional properties. One of the most interesting things about L-theanine is that it is only found in tea. The chemical name for L-theanine is γ-ethylamino-L-glutamic, and this gives a clue as to the pharmacology of L-theanine in the brain. In animal studies, around 0.1 % of the ingested amount of L-theanine reaches the brain after 30 minutes, and here it is able to act as a partial agonist for the glutamate receptor. However, L-theanine does not fully activate the receptor but its affiliation with it prevents other ligands activating it. As glutamate receptors activate excitatory pathways the overall effects of L-theanine are to cause a calming and relaxing effect, something that increases the alpha-wave state of the brain waves. This calming effect of L-theanine may have other knock-on effects such as the ability to lower blood pressure. In terms of brain activity, L-theanine may improve the ability to learn because it puts the brain in a state that is conducive to the absorption of new information primarily by reducing the propensity to become distracted. All of the benefits of L-theanine can be derived from drinking black and green tea.
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