L-Theanine

L-Theanine is an amino acid typically found in green tea. Primary effects include reduced anxiety/stress and an increase in alpha brain wave activityThis is associated with "wakeful relaxation". The compound is typically paired with caffeine to reduce the jitter-y feeling while maintaining focus levels.

γ-glutamylethylamide, the actual chemical, has a very similar structure to glutamate and glutamine, which allows the γ-glutamylethylamide to pass the blood-brain barrier via amine acid channels. In the brain, L-theanine increases dopamine and serotonin levels in specific regions. Additionally, it competes with glutamate to bind to NMDA and AMPA receptors which reduces excitatory neurotransmissionCalms you down. Different EEG studies show that taking L-theanine increases alpha wave activity in the occipital and parietal brain regions. Both the neurotransmitter effects and the brain wave effects take place around 30-40 minutes after oral ingestion.