Evidence supporting the use of: L-theanine
For the health condition: Emotional Sensitivity

Links: Go back one page, Tool main page, Ingredients list, Health conditions list, Body systems list

Synopsis

Source of validity: Scientific
Rating (out of 5): 2

L-theanine is an amino acid primarily found in green tea, and its use for emotional sensitivity is supported by some scientific research, although the evidence is still limited and not definitive. Emotional sensitivity often overlaps with symptoms such as heightened stress, anxiety, or difficulty regulating emotions, which are areas where L-theanine has been most studied.

Clinical studies indicate that L-theanine can promote relaxation without causing drowsiness. Research shows that it can modulate levels of neurotransmitters such as GABA, serotonin, and dopamine, which play important roles in mood and emotional regulation. In randomized controlled trials, doses of L-theanine (typically 200 mg) have been shown to reduce subjective stress responses and improve certain measures of anxiety, particularly in stressful or cognitively demanding situations. EEG studies also demonstrate that L-theanine increases alpha brainwave activity, associated with relaxed alertness.

While these findings suggest L-theanine may have a calming effect that could be beneficial for those with emotional sensitivity, the existing studies often involve small sample sizes and focus on general stress or anxiety rather than emotional sensitivity as a specific clinical construct. There are few, if any, studies directly investigating its use for “emotional sensitivity” per se. Therefore, while there is scientific rationale and some supporting evidence, more targeted research is needed. The current evidence base warrants a modest rating of 2 out of 5 for its use in this area.

More about L-theanine
More about Emotional Sensitivity