The pure one
Suntheanine (branded L-theanine)
Pure L-theanine, the form used in most studies.
Good for: Sleep & stress
What variations of L-theanine exist?
A calming amino acid from tea leaves. It may ease stress and support relaxed focus without making you drowsy. It comes in 3 forms, and they aren't all the same. Here's how they differ.
For education only. What's right for you depends on your health and your medications, so check with your provider before you start or switch. Book a consult
Our top pick
- Also consider
- Budget-friendly: the same, unbranded (L-theanine)
Every form, in plain words
The pure one
Suntheanine (branded L-theanine)
Pure L-theanine, the form used in most studies.
Good for: Sleep & stress
The same, unbranded
L-theanine
The same molecule. Fine when the label clearly says L-theanine.
Good for: Sleep & stress · Budget-friendly
Usually skip
- The maybe-mixed one ('Theanine' with no L- prefix)May be mixed with a less studied version (D-theanine).
Spotting a good one on the shelf
Look for
- Look for 'Suntheanine' on the label (the pure one)
Watch out for
- Lists 'theanine' without specifying the L-form
- Calming blends that combine many sedating herbs
Check with your provider first if…
- You're pregnant or breastfeeding (not well studied)
- You take blood pressure medicine, since it may lower blood pressure slightly
- You take sedatives or sleep medicine
In Dr. Lesher's store
8 products in Dr. Lesher's dispensary have L-theanine. Here's which form, where the label says.
Check with your provider before taking any of these, especially if you're pregnant or take medications.
Nature's Way
AM/PM Menopause Formula™
Has suntheanine (the pure one), good for sleep & stress
25 mg per serving
Integrative Therapeutics
Cortisol Manager® Allergen Free
Has suntheanine (the pure one), good for sleep & stress
Pure Encapsulations
Daily Calm
Has suntheanine (the pure one), good for sleep & stress
100 mg per serving
Designs for Health
CatecholaCalm™
Has L-theanine (the same, unbranded), good for sleep & stress
66.67 mg per serving
Vitanica
Cortisol Relief
Has L-theanine (the same, unbranded), good for sleep & stress
100 mg per serving
Metagenics
HerWellness™ Rapid Stress Relief
Has L-theanine (the same, unbranded), good for sleep & stress
200 mg per serving
XYMOGEN
RelaxMax
Has L-theanine (the same, unbranded), good for sleep & stress
12.5 mg per serving
Has L-theanine (the same, unbranded), good for sleep & stress
50 mg per serving
Ready to find the root cause?
Dr. Lesher is a Naturopathic Doctor who focuses on autoimmune and chronic conditions in women. Since 2020, she's helped hundreds of patients stop managing symptoms and start healing.