L-Theanine for Panic Attack Prevention
L-theanine takes the edge off acute arousal but has no evidence for preventing panic attacks.
Overview
Verdict
How It Works
Dosing & Protocol
Typical dose
- Recommended dose
- 200mg as needed, up to 400mg/day
- Expected timeframe
- 30-60 minutes acutely
Protocol
- form
- L-theanine capsules
- duration
- Acute effect within 30-60 minutes
- co factor
- Take with or without food. Evidence is mixed and does not extend to panic. Randomised trials show theanine reduces subjective anxiety, attenuates cortisol and heart rate responses to acute stressors, and increases EEG alpha activity, and one small study in patients with schizophrenia and schizoaffective disorder found reduced anxiety as a secondary outcome. But no trial has studied panic attacks or panic disorder specifically, and the onset - 30 to 60 minutes - is far too slow to abort an attack, which typically peaks within ten minutes. Theanine also produces a mild effect, whereas panic involves an intense autonomic surge. Reducing baseline anxiety might plausibly reduce attack frequency, but this has not been tested.
- titration
- Up to 400 mg
- starting dose
- 200 mg if using it for general anxiety, not as panic rescue
Evidence
What the studies say
The Effects of Green Tea Amino Acid L-Theanine Consumption on the Ability to Manage Stress and Anxiety Levels: a Systematic Review
Williams JL, Everett JM, D'Cunha NM +7 more
L-theanine at 200-400 mg/day reduced stress and anxiety in people exposed to stressful conditions.
L-theanine and acute stress and anxiety responses: a systematic review of randomized controlled trials
Williams JL, Everett JM, D'Cunha NM +3 more
L-theanine reduced acute stress and anxiety in stress-inducing settings
Safety
Caveats
Not a treatment for panic disorder. Do not delay CBT or prescribed medication.
Less likely to help if
Medical Disclaimer
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Individual results may vary. The statements on this website have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. Products and information are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.