Weird Tea Trick Calms Your Mind While Boosting Focus
By
Dr. Scott Olson, ND
Posted July 6, 2025
You know the drill…
If you want to feel more alert, coffee gives you the jolt you need. But when it’s calm that you seek, chamomile tea soothes you to sleep.
But what if you could drink a beverage that can do both at the same time?
A natural compound found in certain teas offers this seemingly contradictory effect—delivering energy and calm in a single cup…
Green tea supports everything from healthier metabolism to better brain function. So it’s no surprise it’s been linked to various health benefits like improved focus and reduced anxiety.
And now we know the exact source of those powerful effects… a specific amino acid called L-theanine.
This remarkable compound is found naturally in green tea, white tea, black tea, and matcha (which all come from the same Camellia sinensis plant), as well as certain mushrooms like porcini.
If you’ve ever noticed how you feel different after a cup of green tea that’s likely the L-theanine effects kicking in. While both contain caffeine, green tea doesn’t give you that jittery, anxious feeling that coffee sometimes does.
This unique amino acid helps create what researchers describe as a “calm but clear” mental state.
L-theanine appears to accomplish this balancing act by influencing key brain chemicals associated with mood and relaxation, while also increasing alpha brain wave activity, the type linked to a quiet, focused mind.
Researchers believe that L-theanine may influence the production of mood-regulating hormones such as serotonin and dopamine. It may also affect our cortisol (stress hormone) levels.
Studies show these calming effects are most obvious in people who react more strongly to stress. In these folks, L-theanine often coincides with lower self-reported anxiety levels—without the drowsiness that comes with traditional relaxation aids.
Some people (like me) take L-theanine before bedtime to help them unwind. It calms the mind without knocking you out like a pharmaceutical sleep aid.
To experience the benefits of L-theanine, start here:
- Enjoy two to three cups of green tea throughout your day
- Try matcha for an even more concentrated dose
- Look for L-theanine supplements if you’re not a tea drinker
- Combine with a small amount of caffeine for enhanced focus
- Consider taking it before bed if racing thoughts keep you awake
This remarkable compound offers a natural solution to our modern dilemma of needing to stay both alert and calm in our hectic world. Instead of ping-ponging between stimulants and sedatives, L-theanine offers a balanced middle path.
P.S. Simple 30-second vision hack restores calm.
Source:
Hidese S, Ogawa S, Ota M, Ishida I, Yasukawa Z, Ozeki M, Kunugi H. Effects of L-Theanine Administration on Stress-Related Symptoms and Cognitive Functions in Healthy Adults: A Randomized Controlled Trial. Nutrients. 2019 Oct 3;11(10):2362. doi: 10.3390/nu11102362. PMID: 31623400; PMCID: PMC6836118.
Written By Dr. Scott Olson, ND
Nearly 25 years ago, failed mainstream medical treatments left Dr. Olson in constant pain – and his health in ruins. And that’s when he did something REVOLUTIONARY. He began his career in medicine – and dedicated his life to uncovering the true, underlying causes of disease.
Through his innovative medical practices in Tennessee and Colorado, Dr. Olson has helped cure countless seniors from across America of arthritis… heart disease… diabetes… and even cancer. All without risky prescription drugs or painful surgeries.
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