Beginners Guide to Mixing L-Theanine and Modafinil

Everyday stress is a regular part of modern living. Exams, interviews, job pressures, financial pressures, family arguments, traffic, & time management are merely a few of the “stressors” you are confronted with daily. For some individuals, stress can be overwhelming, leading to anxiety & insomnia and ultimately decreasing productivity. Luckily, there are safe & effective nootropics that produce prompt effects when you need to be productive. One of the best ones is modafinil. It helps you gain an edge in various undertakings, but it may come with some adverse reactions. Some people are finding ways to either enhance its effects or counteract the side effects it comes with. One such way is to combine it with a natural supplement like L-theanine.

This guide covers what to expect if stacking L-theanine and modafinil, as well as their interactions with food, alcohol, & other meds.

Key Info About Modafinil

Modafinil, dubbed the “world’s first safe ‘smart drug,’” is a powerful medication originally developed to treat the symptoms of shift work sleep disorder (SWSD), narcolepsy, & obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). Although that is what the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved it for, it’s more commonly taken off-label by healthy individuals to ameliorate cognitive function since it positively affects the brain [1]. People who use the “smart drug” for this purpose report achieving the following benefits:

• heightened focus & concentration;
• boosted mental alertness;
• enhanced creativity & memory;
• augmented energy levels;
• improved decision-making & planning skills;
• faster mental processing speed.

Today, some physicians prescribe modafinil off-label to treat attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) because of its impressive mood-augmenting effects. It may also be used to manage several other health conditions including jet lag, Parkinson’s & Alzheimer’s diseases, multiple sclerosis fatigue, major depressive disorder, etc.

The “smart tab” comes in 100 mg & 200 mg dose strengths. Initially marketed under the brand name Provigil, it’s now available in a generic form under multiple trade names. Some of the most popular ones are Modavinil, ModaXL, Modafil MD, Modalert, & Modvigil. These generics provide the same benefits as Provigil, but they cost up to 5X less.

In a nutshell, modafinil is safe & well-tolerated. However, it remains essential to consult a physician before starting therapy with it, as it’s a prescription med.

L-Theanine Features

L-theanine is a type of amino acid with robust cognitive-augmenting effects found in green tea, black tea, & some mushrooms. Widely known for its ability to help individuals relax, L-theanine has some other health advantages, including the following:

• anxiety & stress relief: Sipping on a hot cup of tea can aid you in feeling at ease. Research suggests that the product not only relaxes the human mind but also does so without inducing drowsiness [2]. Most impressively, according to a review, L-theanine helps reduce stress & anxiety in individuals experiencing stressful situations [3]. Besides, another analysis focused on people living with schizophrenia or schizoaffective disorder discovered that this amino acid decreases anxiety & improves symptoms of the conditions [4];
• heightened focus: It helps focus better when performing demanding tasks. It influences the neurotransmitter dopamine, which is often called the “motivation molecule.” Dopamine provides drive & focus you need to be productive;
• improved immunity: It improves the function of the immune system. It also helps lessen the incidence of symptoms of upper respiratory tract infections [5]. Besides, another study discovered that green tea catechins — antioxidants — & L-theanine could be efficacious at preventing flu [6][7];
• tumor & cancer treatment: L-theanine amplifies the antitumor effects of certain chemotherapy drugs. Thus, it could also aid in heightening chemotherapy’s capability to fight cancer [8]. Also, it’s believed that individuals who regularly drink tea have lower rates of cancer. According to a study, women diagnosed with ovarian cancer who drank at least one cup of green tea daily lived longer than those who didn’t [9].

What’s more? Some research indicates that L-theanine is beneficial for a night’s sleep because it aids in promoting relaxation. Doses of 250–400 mg of the supplement greatly ameliorate sleep. Besides, 200 mg of L-theanine helps lessen resting heart rate, pointing to its capability to heighten relaxation. The amino acid also helps boys diagnosed with ADHD sleep better, as well as augmenting sleep quality for those diagnosed with schizophrenia [10][11].

Usage of Modafinil and L-Theanine Stack

For the majority of individuals, the “smart drug” alone sufficiently ameliorates alertness, heightens memory, boosts focus, & provides peak productivity. Nonetheless, a select few may discover that they need to take it alongside some other products to achieve better cognitive enhancement. This is where the modafinil and L-theanine stack comes in. If you have a hard time staying awake & getting things done during work time & are looking for awesome supplements you can take alongside modafinil for even more beneficial effects, L-theanine should be your choice.

Is This Combination Safe?

Yes, mixing these products is safe. The FDA has recognized L-theanine as a safe product [12]. Although it can interact with some drug classes, it doesn’t interact with modafinil. A combination of modafinil + L-theanine will only offer the impressive benefits mentioned below.

Positive Effects of Drug Mixing

L-theanine is considered to be one of the most popular natural nootropics among nootropic enthusiasts, and for good reason: it’s super safe & effective. The product stacks well with modafinil. The mix effectively improves focus, heightens alertness, elevates mood, & promotes a feeling of well-being by regulating the levels of some neurotransmitters in the brain.

In general, L-theanine acts to boost the effects of modafinil. It also offsets the negative reactions caused by the “smart drug.” It effectively lessens anxiety, promotes relaxation, & reduces stress without sedation. Together with modafinil, L-theanine can aid users in fostering a state of calmness & promote attentive wakefulness. Such a mix has positive effects on the mental & physical symptoms of stress.

Taking the supplement an hour or two before bed, several hours after popping a modafinil tablet, helps combat the wakefulness of the “smart drug” & helps you chill out before dozing off. During the day, after mixing both nootropics, you can notice less brain fog, a boost in productivity, and a decrease in the urge to procrastinate. In combination with L-theanine, the “smart drug” will work much better for you. Finally, the amino acid is a fantastic addition to modafinil.

However, it’s essential to talk to your physician before mixing both nootropics.

Possible Side Effects

Although there are no reported negative effects from taking L-theanine, ingesting large amounts of green tea can induce irritability, nausea, & upset stomach because of the caffeine content. The amino acid might also induce mild negative effects, such as headaches and sleepiness. Doses of up to 900 mg daily can safely be used for 8 weeks, but it isn’t clear if L-theanine is safe to use for longer periods. All in all, it’s probably safe when used short-term.

As for modafinil, it can make a user irritable & can also cause some negative effects categorized as common & less common. Some of them can be severe but occur in rare cases [13]. Common negative effects include headache, nausea, diarrhea, nervousness, & backache. It’s always good to take modafinil as prescribed & avoid an overdose. With that said, the chances of side effects of mixing both products are low; however, note that each nootropic has its negative effects.

Interactions with Food, Alcohol, and Other Drugs

L-theanine interacts with some meds like antihypertensive drugs. It might lower blood pressure, so mixing with meds used to treat hypertension might trigger the blood pressure to go too low. It’s also best to avoid stimulants, such as those used to treat ADHD, & supplements containing caffeine while on L-theanine. The amino acid can be ingested either with meals or on an empty stomach. If you haven’t lately eaten when administering L-theanine, you may feel the effects a bit faster & more intensely (similar to drinking caffeine with a meal versus on an empty stomach). There’s no danger of using L-theanine with alcohol.

Besides, modafinil interacts with up to 449 meds if mixed [14]. Such interactions may either reduce the effects of one or more of the drugs coadministered or even boost the risk of negative reactions. It interacts with the following classes of meds:

• CYP2C19 & CYP3A4/5 substrates;
• monoamine oxidase inhibitors;
• recreational drugs;
• certain antifungals;
• blood thinners;
• some antibiotics;
• birth control meds.

Modafinil interacts with alcohol in a way that can increase the risk of negative effects. Though the “smart drug” doesn’t interact with most foods, ingesting it right before or after eating fatty meals can delay its onset of effects.

The Verdict: Modafinil and L-Theanine Mixing

Modafinil is an effective cognitive enhancer, and it works for the majority of enthusiasts who take it as a stand-alone med. It is safe, well-tolerated, has few negative effects, & a low potential for addiction. If you want to enhance modafinil’s effects or need to counteract certain side effects of the nootropic, supplementing with L-theanine can help. The amino acid mixes well with modafinil and offers some excellent benefits. Besides, L-theanine together with modafinil fosters calmness & boosts cognition. It also helps counteract some of the most unpleasant negative effects of modafinil such as insomnia & anxiety. Besides, it can “smoothen” focus provided by the “smart drug” via enhancing sustained attention & lessening the frequency of mind-wandering.

If you decide to mix both products, it’s advisable to consult a physician first to assess your health & determine if the stack is good for you.

References

1. Modafinil. Retrieved: December 24, 2022. Wikipedia.org.
2. L-Theanine, a Natural Constituent in Tea, and Its Effect on Mental State. By Anna C. Nobre, Anling Rao, and Gail N. Owen. Retrieved: December 24, 2022. Pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov.
3. Theanine Consumption, Stress and Anxiety in Human Clinical Trials: A systematic review. By J. M. Everett, D. Gunathilake, L. Dufficy, et al. Published: June 2016. Sciencedirect.com.
4. L-Theanine Relieves Positive, Activation, and Anxiety Symptoms in Patients With Schizophrenia and Schizoaffective Disorder: An 8-Week, Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled, 2-Center Study. By Michael S. Ritsner, Chanoch Miodownik, Yael Ratner, et al. Published: November 30, 2010. Psychiatrist.com.
5. L-Theanine as a Functional Food Additive: Its Role in Disease Prevention and Health Promotion. By Jackson Williams, Jane Kellett, Paul Daniel Roach, et al. Published: May 30, 2016. Mdpi.com.
6. Effects of Green Tea Catechins and Theanine on Preventing Influenza Infection among Healthcare Workers: A Randomized Controlled Trial. By Keiji Matsumoto, Hiroshi Yamada, et al. Published: February 21, 2011. Ncbi.nlm.nih.gov.
7. Green Tea Consumption Is Inversely Associated with the Incidence of Influenza Infection among Schoolchildren in a Tea Plantation Area of Japan. By Mijong Park, Hiroshi Yamada, Kumi Matsushita, et al. Published: August 10, 2011. Academic.oup.com.
8. L-Theanine in Cancer Prevention and Treatment. By Ba X. Hoang, Graeme Shaw, and Stephen A. Levine. Published: December 1, 2006. Aacrjournals.org.
9. Green Tea Consumption Enhances Survival of Epithelial Ovarian Cancer. By Min Zhang, Andy H. Lee, Colin W. Binns, and Xing Xie. Published: June 23, 2004. Onlinelibrary.wiley.com.
10. The Effects of L-Theanine (Suntheanine®) on Objective Sleep Quality in Boys with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD): A Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Clinical Trial. By Michael R. Lyon, Mahendra P. Kapoor, and Lekh R. Juneja. Pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov.
11. Effect of L-Theanine on Glutamatergic Function in Patients with Schizophrenia. By Miho Ota, Chisato Wakabayashi, Noriko Sato, et al. Published: April 21, 2015. Cambridge.org.
12. L-Theanine Uses, Benefits & Dosage. Medically reviewed by Drugs.com. Last updated on March 1, 2021. Retrieved: December 24, 2022. Drugs.com.
13. Modafinil Side Effects by Likelihood and Severity. Retrieved: December 24, 2022. Webmd.com.
14. Modafinil Interactions Checker. Retrieved: December 24, 2022. Drugs.com.