[pgt]

L-theanine is the active non-sedative anxiolytic in green tea that gives it such a "smooth high" when combined with its methylxanthine stimulants, theobromine and caffeine - which are natural pesticides, by the way.

Anecdote of one: I stopped taking L-Theanine because I would experience a noticeable comedown of apathy two days later.

[viridian]

Saying that theobromine and caffeine are pesticidal isn't particularly informative. Most secondary plant metabolites are likely to be pesticides, since there's a tremendous benefit to discouraging small animals from eating your lignified cells. Ascorbic acid is also a pesticide and fungicide, can dissolve bones down to calcium carbonate, yet it is critical to human life.

[bheadmaster]

> I stopped taking L-Theanine because I would experience a noticeable comedown of apathy two days later.

This was also my experience, but not two days later - the same day. I'd take L-Theanine, feel okay for a few hours, then feel extremely irritable and anxious for the rest of the day. More L-Theanine didn't help.

[fegu]

Is there any statistics on whether women drink more green tea than men? It certainly seems that way.

[bheadmaster]

> It certainly seems that way.

What makes you think that?

[ubercore]

Exactly this happens to me as well.

[n4r9]

I believe it's present in all teas: black, oolong, white etc... as well as green.

[bbarn]

That would make sense as all of those are the same plant, just harvested at different times and treated differently.

[6stringmerc]

Just a quick note of appreciation regarding the come down observation - I’ve been weaning down my caffeine to minimal but do want to keep the option open and not get too amped if I decide to have a caffeine day.