Anxietyguy, what are the differences than caffeine alone? Does the combo give you an energy boost without the jitters or anxiety? If the theanine cancels out the negative effects of caffeine, then it could be useful. I suspect that many people are over caffeinated but don't realize it and are in a frazzled state much of their waking hours. That said, there are many who need their cup of joe before they go to bed! Everyone's body chemistry is different, mine just can't handle caffeine.
MoJim
I also find caffeine can have a big effect on my anxiety. For a long time when i was working night shift all the time I would drink 4-5 coffees everyday!.
Earlier this year i cut down to just 2 coffees a day, and i found my general stress levels greatly improved. I love coffee so much and could never totally stop, but my quality of life has improved
Anxietyguy,
I, too, am curious how the Theanine is diff from caffeine
and how it affects you if you just take it alone?
I'm desperate for a picker up and cannnnnot have caffeine at all- which stinks.
Thank you!
Having very severe OCD and generalized anxiety I would expect caffeine to have a very pronounced and negative effect on my state of mind/body. Contrary to this expectation, however, I find that aside from a GI stimulating effect (which is welcome first thing in the morning and I believe more related to the coffee itself than it’s caffiene content), my level of anxiety / rumination is no greater or lesser than having abstained from drinking my morning cup(s).
My general understanding is that caffiene, being a weak stimulant, is absolutely likely to cause an anxiety prone inidivisual to experience more pronounced symptoms, assuming they are not already accustomed to/tolerant to a certain level of daily caffiene intake. I’ve read several studies that concluded that the most negative effects of caffiene, like it’s potentially severe diuretic effect, diminish and/or disappear over time.
Also in regard to taking my anxiety medication, I do find that I need SLIGHTLY more than I would if I did not consume any daily caffiene, but it doesn’t feel as if the two substances are directly competing in my body/brain for the same receptor site(s). This is just my understanding/impression, other than the anecdote about long-term caffiene use leading to diminished side effects/efficacy, everything is “original research” or speculation.
Well I tried using caffeine (black tea) and theanine yesterday and I was pretty functional. But by the end of the day though, I could still feel the negative effects of the caffeine. Yes, one dose will last an entire day for me. I have learned over the years that caffeine in addition to anxiety and jitters, it also makes me grumpy and irritable. I owe my wife an apology
. During my working career I noticed a dose around lunchtime, would change how I interacted with my customers. I was short with them and was more easily frustrated/irritated. Experiment over. Back to Kr@tom and Nootropics as they give me none of the side effects and all of the benefits.
As far as GI stimulation..............Yup
It's definitely the caffeine and not the tea for me.
Overcaffeined people are the rules thesedays . Espresso , colas , tea , supplements , energy drinks, even medicines can contain caffeine . I am not sure how much I get a day . You get the kick but only to find nerves and self collapsed at the end of the day . But if you need it for long hours mental or physical work then anxiety and palpitations will eventually appear especially at dose over 140 mg a day . I f you have to go this far then propranolol which I take for other reason seems to block caffeine induced tachycardia .
It is a good and safe drug but I DONT RECOMMEND taking 80 mg or propranolol just to tolerate hight doses of caffeine . It is good if you experience tacycardia from a lot of coffee anyway .
Add chocolate to the list. Yes many meds have caffeine in them as well as Acetaminophen (Tynelol). Pharma seems to try to cram Tynelol into any Pk's that they can, even though it's proven toxic to the liver, especially when consumed with alcohol.
Propranolol is a very good med for the physical symptoms of anxiety, but it is good to know that maybe it could be combined with a small amount of caffeine to keep the negative side effects neutralized.
I've always taken the approach to use medicines/drugs to give the most productive result.
For example, if I need a benzo, I obviously avoid the caffeine.
If I'm taking cold medicine that causes drowsiness and I have to present, then coffee is my friend.
I take the same approach to compounds that change levels of liver enzymes to get the most out of a particular medicine.
07.10.17 first post
Steve12345
I see that you sir, have been with us awhile, yet not a "Welcome Thread" have you attempted to make...
It would be the thing to do as we do have that as the very first rule in our short list of rules ...
So, let me recommend that you:::
A) Read over the rules section (again) and
B) Create a welcome thread
Thank you for your co-operation ...
Ice
100% I know what you mean. Im a little better now but before I could never drink energy drinks because they would make my anxiety go crazy!