Theacrine is a purine alkaloid structurally similar to caffeine, found naturally in some teas like Camellia assamica var. kucha. Its proposed use for supporting concentration and cognitive performance is primarily based on its stimulant-like effects, which are thought to enhance alertness, focus, and mental energy. Several small-scale human studies and animal models have investigated theacrine’s effects on cognition and mood. For example, a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study (J Int Soc Sports Nutr. 2016) found that 200 mg of theacrine acutely increased subjective energy and reduced fatigue, but did not show clear improvements in objective measures of concentration or cognitive performance.

Other research suggests that theacrine may have a lower tendency to produce tolerance compared to caffeine, and may influence adenosine and dopamine signaling, which are involved in attentional processes. However, most published studies focus on energy, mood, and motivation rather than direct measures of attentional performance or remediation of poor concentration. Thus, while there is preliminary scientific evidence suggesting theacrine may support aspects of mental energy and alertness—factors related to concentration—the evidence is limited in size and scope, and robust clinical trials specifically evaluating concentration in individuals with poor attention are lacking.

Overall, theacrine’s use for poor concentration is weakly supported by scientific evidence, meriting a low to moderate rating.