Theanine
Theanine, an amino acid, has a reputation for counteracting the anxious jitters associated with caffeine without interfering with its ability to fight fatigue or sharpen mental focus.
In fact, that's why drinking tea has always been a mellower experience than drinking coffee. You might get a comparable dose of caffeine from drinking either one, but with the theanine present in the tea, you're much less likely to notice a caffeine buzz.
GABA
"Theanine is used in Japan to modulate mood and induce relaxation," says Nadine Taylor, MS, RD, a registered dietitian and author of Green Tea: The Natural Secret for a Healthier Life (Kensington). She says that it induces the release of a brain neurotransmitter called GABA (Gamma Amino Butyric Acid) that tends to calm down the brain.
"Depression, anxiety and irritability all come from high levels of tension and low levels of energy," Taylor continues.
"So if you can increase the energy and lower the tension, you're going to get a great result on mood."
The theanine in oolong tea seems to do exactly that, and here at Oolong-Tea.Org we even have oolong tea naturally boosted with higher levels of GABA.
Dopamine
Theanine, found in high concentrations in high quality loose leaf oolong tea, also triggers the release of dopamine in the brain, one of the main brain chemicals associated with well-being.
The release of dopamine probably contributes to the sense of well-being associated with tea drinking.
"Theanine definitely creates dopamine release," said Taylor, "and that would improve mood".
Besides the many studies that show oolong tea to be incredibly beneficial for our health, many studies have also supported its mood modulating properties, including one in Japan in which women taking equivalent of 200 mg of theanine had reduced symptoms of premenstrual syndrome.
How much oolong tea is needed to achieve a therapeutic Theanine level?
"Theanine works best at minimum doses of 100 mg to 200 mg, and the effects are felt within 30 minutes, the amount of theanine
in one cup of oolong tea is around 50 mg."
"While you can buy green tea and oolong tea capsules it is far better to drink your theanine in oolong tea for the fastest and best effect. Drink it on an empty stomach or with an accompanying fruit snack."