Comment on Discussion Thread 🍝 Monday 19 May 2025
just_kitten@aussie.zone 6 days ago
Definitely too early to say anything and may be placebo effect but reading about L-theanine has taken me down some rabbit holes about the COMT gene and interaction with neurotransmitters - I definitely know I should take it all with a grain of salt especially with no training in this shit, but a slow COMT gene would seemingly explain so much about why I’m so sensitive to stimulants and have to be careful about balancing them with other things so that I can use the energy and then relax at night (I haven’t been able to fall asleep without distractions for years). And why moderate exercise works much better for me than intense (not that I’ve done either in ages tbh).
I mean, the human body is so complex I do wonder if this is only a few steps removed from woo supplement science. But I’ll see if the L-theanine continues to work and maybe look at whether I can get tested in Australia (I’ve previously had pharmacogenetic testing done for various psychiatric drugs but not stimulants).
LowExperience2368@aussie.zone 6 days ago
I’ve been drinking matcha for years, which has L-theanine. I’m starting to wonder if my matcha consumption is what’s leading to my sluggish cognitive tempo because of the caffeine. I’m also really sensitive to stimulants.
It would be interesting to see the results of the test!
just_kitten@aussie.zone 6 days ago
So matcha can make me feel wired but in a different way to coffee. I do feel more organised but no matter what stimulant I’m on it’s hard to get that initial focus and not feel like I’m chewing away at nothing (and then invariably it takes me ages to fall asleep).
Matcha has some of the highest natural content of L-theanine but apparently to get the ideal ratio of L-theanine to caffeine you usually have to take a supplement.
What happens when your don’t take any matcha or stimulants at all? Though, the body gets habituated to it so it can take a long time to get through the withdrawal effects…
LowExperience2368@aussie.zone 5 days ago
Same here! It’s cool to know I’m not alone with the way stimulants affect me. I’ve heard most people I know with ADHD say that meds have changed their life for the better and wonder why I didn’t have the same experience.
Without stimulants, I feel less anxious, but still super tired. But I haven’t given them a long enough break, afaik, to really notice the difference. How about you?