zago
New member
- Joined
- Jun 25, 2008
- Messages
- 1,162
- MBTI Type
- INTP
I am now taking 200 mg l-theanine, 200 mg caffeine, and 180 mg ginkgo.
I am also technically taking creatine, and I figure I might as well eat some dark chocolate too.
All in accordance with this article.
We will see what happens.
I am also technically taking creatine, and I figure I might as well eat some dark chocolate too.
All in accordance with this article.
We will see what happens.
Caffeine on its own is not a great cognitive enhancer. In fact, studies show that it doesn't usually improve performance in learning and memory tasks, though its stimulant properties may occasionally have beneficial effects on cognitive performance and mood (though temporarily — what is usually accompanied by jitters and a crash). Now that said, when consumed in conjunction with L-theanine, a common amino acid found in green tea, it does in fact create more long-lasting and beneficial effects, including a boost to working memory, rapid visual information processing, and especially attention switching (i.e. reduced distractibility). The reason this works is that the L-theanine, which can cross the blood-brain barrier, counteracts the negative stimulant effects of caffeine, including anxiety and increased blood pressure.