A good night’s sleep can set the stage for a productive day. But consistently getting enough high-quality sleep is the foundation of overall health and wellness. It can impact both physical and mental wellbeing in more ways than we have time to discuss.
All of this is to say that if you’re struggling with sleep, finding solutions to support a better night’s rest is not something you can overlook. Of all the proven beneficial sleep aids at your disposal, one of the most powerful is L-theanine.
But will L-theanine make you sleepy? Maybe you’ve tried other solutions and haven’t found them to be effective. You’re skeptical that L-theanine will make a difference. The good news is you can rest assured L-theanine for sleep will work.
So how does L-theanine make you sleepy? We’ll dig into the science below, showing you how this naturally occurring compound interacts with GABA, dopamine, and serotonin along with the role of alpha brain waves.
More importantly, though, we’ll show you how to use L-theanine before bed to harness all its potential. It’s as simple as trying our Sleep Tabs, which contain not only L-theanine but also valerian root, California poppy, kanna, saffron, and melatonin.
Sleep better by placing your order now!
What is L-Theanine?
First, what exactly is L-theanine? This naturally occurring amino acid can be found in green and black tea leaves along with certain types of mushrooms.
What makes it unique from other amino acids is that it’s not necessary for your body to function - however, it can make a profound difference in the way you think and feel when incorporated regularly.
Much of this stems from how it interacts with the brain, promoting a sense of calm without too much drowsiness. It’s commonly used to reduce stress, sharpen focus, and sometimes can even improve mood.
You’ll typically see it paired with other compounds for synergistic effects, such as caffeine to smooth out the jitters while keeping you alert. But you will also find it paired with sleep-supportive compounds as well.
This versatility has made it a popular choice in wellness regimens of all kinds. But, will L-theanine make you sleepy? Let’s narrow our focus to L-theanine before bed specifically.
Will L-Theanine Make You Sleepy?
The short answer is, it depends! We know - you were probably hoping for something more black and white. But while taking L-theanine before bed can be a great addition to your routine, its impact on sleep is going to depend on dosage, mindset, and other supporting compounds.
Think of it like this: L-theanine isn’t going to lull you into a deep slumber on its own. Rather, it sets the stage for a good night’s rest by creating the optimal conditions for sleep in your brain.
It helps you relax, which is why it’s great for those who find themselves stuck up at night because of a racing mind. It isn’t going to knock you out, though - at least, not on its own. We’ll show you how you can make the L-theanine sleep effects more powerful later on.
But why does L-theanine make you sleepy?
Why Does L-Theanine Make You Sleepy?
If you’re like us you want to understand the science behind any supplement you add to your wellness regimen. So why does L-theanine make you sleepy? There are a few mechanisms at play.
Effects on Neurotransmitters
The primary mechanism behind L-theanine for sleep is its interaction with key neurotransmitters, such as gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA), serotonin, and dopamine.
GABA is the brain's natural calming agent. It helps regulate stress and anxiety, which means encouraging more GABA production is a good thing. It helps relax an overactive mind, which is among the most common causes of restlessness and insomnia.
Moreover, L-theanine balances serotonin and dopamine, two other neurotransmitters that play a role in your mood and well-being. This is yet another way in which the compound turns down the mental noise that can keep you up at night.
The Role of Alpha Brain Waves
Why does L-theanine make you sleepy beyond its effect on neurotransmitters, though? The compound also stimulates alpha brain waves - the same ones associated with a meditative state, as a matter of fact.
Alpha waves are responsible for transitioning your brain from a heightened state of alertness (like when you’re stressed or focusing intensely) to a more relaxed mode. Again, this serves the purpose of winging your body down to prepare for a good night’s rest naturally.
What’s important to note, though, is that this interaction isn’t going to leave you feeling sedated. Rather, the L-theanine sleep effect here is a good balance between being awake and being at rest.
This explains why L-Theanine can help during both high-pressure workdays and sleepless nights…but let’s take a closer look at this confusing contradiction below.
How L-Theanine Can Sometimes Have the Opposite Effect
We mentioned a few times now L-theanine can be used to help you focus during the day - so why does L-theanine make you sleepy sometimes but help you concentrate in other situations? It comes down to when and how you’re taking it.
Most instances of people using L-theanine for focus involve pairing the compound with caffeine. This dynamic duo offers the best of both worlds - a clear, calm mind with a sharp edge. L-theanine helps smooth out the jittery side effects of caffeine.
But on its own, you won’t notice L-theanine boosting your focus too much - just like it may not induce sleep on its own. It’s all about what you’re pairing it with and how you’re taking it.
That being said, let’s share some advice on taking L-theanine before bed below to help you make the most of this sleep savior.
Tips on Taking L-Theanine for Sleep: Dosage, Timing, and More
Taking L-theanine for sleep requires careful consideration of dosage, timing, and other supporting sleep aids. Here’s how you can use this powerful compound to the fullest.
How Much L-Theanine for Sleep is Optimal?
The optimal L-theanine sleep dosage is perhaps the most important aspect of maximizing its benefits. Some of this will be individualized, but most studies suggest a dosage of 100-400mg of L-theanine. The more you take, the more pronounced its effects will be.
That being said, we recommend starting at the lower end of the spectrum and working your way up to find the dose that works for you without overdoing it and causing you to develop a tolerance.
You should also take into account the type of L-theanine you’re taking and always refer to the specific product’s guidelines for dosage. L-theanine supplements are available in capsules, powders, and sublingual tabs, with the latter often offering faster absorption.
When to Take L-Theanine Before Bed
The other piece of the L-theanine sleep puzzle is finding the right time to take your supplement. Again, think about the delivery method first and foremost.
While sublingual solutions start working as quickly as 15-20 minutes, something like powder mixed in a tea will take much longer - anywhere from 30-60 minutes.
Giving the product enough time to work its magic ensures that when your head hits the pillow your body and mind are already in a calm, relaxed state conducive to falling asleep quickly.
However, if your sleeplessness stems from winding down after a stressful day, L-Theanine taken slightly earlier in the evening may help you transition into relaxation mode. Just be cautious about using it too soon as this can lead to reduced effects when you actually get in bed.
Other Supporting Sleep Aids to Consider
As we said from the start, taking L-theanine before bed won’t make a massive difference in your sleep quality on its own. You should pair it with other proven sleep aids to maximize its effectiveness:
- Melatonin: Ideal for resetting your sleep-wake cycle, especially if irregular schedules or travel disrupt your sleep.
- Magnesium: Helps relax muscles and quiet the mind, complementing L-Theanine’s calming effects.
- Valerian Root: An herbal remedy known for reducing sleep latency and improving sleep quality.
- GABA Supplements: Directly boosts the calming neurotransmitter L-Theanine indirectly supports.
Always do your due diligence in choosing any supplement, whether it’s L-theanine sleep supplement or one of the pairings above.
Ideally, you’d find a supplement that combines L-theanine with some of these other solutions so you don’t have to play the guessing game with dosage. Getting the proper ratio between all these compounds is important.
Fortunately, we’ve done the hard work for you already at Tabs. More on that in just a moment.
Creating a Bedtime Routine for Better Sleep
L-Theanine for sleep works best when paired with a consistent bedtime that fosters better sleep. This is something that will vary from one person to the next, but in general, here are some tips:
- Establish a Wind-Down Period: Spend 30-60 minutes before bed doing relaxing activities like reading, meditating, or journaling.
- Limit Screen Time: Blue light can interfere with your body’s production of melatonin, so turn off devices an hour before bed. That means no more doom scrolling on your phone in bed, and no more watching TV in bed either.
- Optimize Your Sleep Environment: Keep your bedroom cool, dark, and quiet. Investing in blackout curtains or a white noise machine can make a huge difference.
- Set a Regular Sleep Schedule: Go to bed and wake up at the same time every day, even on weekends, to keep your circadian rhythm well regulated.
These tips paired with L-theanine for sleep can help you transform your nighttime routine, ensuring you wake up every morning refreshed and ready to conquer anything the day brings your way. So, take the next step with the #1 L-theanine sleep supplement at Tabs!
A Better Night’s Rest is a Click Away at Tabs!
It’s clear L-theanine for sleep on its own isn’t going to move the needle too much. That’s why here at Tabs we’ve brought together the benefits of kanna, L-theanine, valerian root, California poppy, saffron, and melatonin to help you drift away to dreamland effortlessly.
Tabs is passionate about providing you with the solutions you need to live a healthier, happier life. We source our ingredients strictly and bring our products to life in our USA manufacturing facility.
Plus, you don’t have to take our word for it. Your order is protected by a 30-day money-back guarantee. This same guarantee is offered across our entire catalog, from our Energy Tabs to our Stress Tabs, Sex Chocolate, and everything in between.
So as we bring our L-theanine sleep guide to a close, we encourage you to place your order today and see for yourself how our solution can support a better night’s rest!
Wrapping Up Our L-Theanine Sleep Guide
So, does L-theanine make you sleepy? To a certain extent, yes. It’s not going to knock you out cold, but it helps set the stage for a good night’s rest by relaxing the body and mind simultaneously.
Just remember to set your expectations when taking L-theanine before bed. It works best in conjunction with a good nighttime routine and other proven sleep aids. That’s why our supplement here at Tabs is such a powerful addition to your sleep arsenal.
You can learn more about L theanine vs ashwagandha, theobromine vs caffeine, or the Tabs chocolate ingredients in our blog if you’re interested in exploring similar resources.
Otherwise, the only thing left to do today is take the next step towards a better night’s rest at Tabs. Shop now and say goodbye to sleepless nights of tossing and turning!