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Theacrine, also known as Chinese bitter tea, Kucha, 1, 3, 7, 9-tetramethyluric acid, TeaCrine and TeaCor, is found in Camellia Kucha Tea Leaves and Cupuaçu (Theobroma grandiflorum). [1][2] Theacrine is a purine alkaloid molecule with a similar chemical structure to caffeine, which means it exhibits stimulant properties when ingested because it crosses the blood-brain barrier and binds to adenosine and dopamine receptors. [3] The Kucha tea plant leaves create theacrine through a 2-step process. While still developing, the plant first converts theobromine in to caffeine and then converts theobromine and caffeine in to theacrine. [4] Compared to mature leaves, young Kucha tea plant leaves contain higher concentrations of both theacrine (1.3-3.6% of dry weight) and caffeine (0.6-2.7% of dry weight).[2][5] For example, a 2 gram teabag containing Kucha tea leaves may only yield 20.8-57.6mg of theacrine. [6] Because there’s a much smaller amount of research on Cupuaçu, the theacrine content by weight has not yet been identified.
Theacrine is gaining popularity in the fitness industry due to its stimulant, anti-inflammatory and analgesic properties. Both Camellia Kucha Tea Leaves and Cupuaçu are naturally low in theacrine so supplement companies extract and refine theacrine from these sources so that it can be offered in a more concentrated, bioavailable and cost-effective form. Theacrine Recommended Dosages & Use Consider Theacrine to be a longer-lasting version of our favorite stimulant, caffeine. Theacrine is most commonly found in supplements advertised as pre-workouts and fat burners.
There is currently no standard dose quantity and frequency for theacrine, but one manufacturer suggests 200 to 300 milligrams to maximize its benefits without side effects. [1] Since theacrine exhibits stimulant properties, it’s recommended to those looking to increase their energy, alertness and locomotion. Theacrine is a good alternative to caffeine as well as banned synthetic stimulants like DMAA (1,3-dimethylamylamine), AMP citrate (4-amino-2-methylpentane citrate) and 1,3-DMBA (1,3-Dimethylbutylamine HCL). [1] Theacrine appeals to all fitness demographics – those looking to increase muscle, increase strength, improve athletic performance, or decrease fat mass. A Deeper Look at Theacrine Benefits Unfortunately, most studies examining theacrine exam mice rather than human subjects, but if the results below are any indication of theacrine s potential, then it’s just a matter of time before the number of human studies examining theacrine increases.
Theacrine increases locomotion (re: activity levels) by acting on both the adenosinergic and dopaminergic systems. Researchers injected rats with 0, 24, or 48mg of theacrine per kilogram of bodyweight and found that those administered the highest dose significantly increased activity levels compared to rats in the control group. [3] We should expect activity levels to increase as stimulant dosages increase. The activity levels of rats administered 48mg/kg of bodyweight not only remained high throughout the entire session but these rats also did not exhibit theacrine tolerance after 7 days of chronic exposure. [3] This gives theacrine the edge over caffeine which typically leads to a tolerance of and reliance on caffeine after 7 days of chronic exposure. After 7 days of caffeine exposure, mice activity levels decreased by 26% whereas 7 days of theacrine exposure led to a 167% increase in activity levels. [6][3] Oral ingestion of theacrine exhibits both anti-inflammatory and analgesic (re: pain relief) properties in mice. 8 to 32 milligrams of theacrine per kilogram of bodyweight decreased inflammation markers (measured by xylene-induced ear edema, λ-Carrageenan-induced paw edema, and vascularity permeability) as well as increased the pain tolerance (measured by acetic-acid induced writhing and pain threshold during hot-plate exposure). [7] nch Theacrine has the edge over caffeine which typically leads to a tolerance of and reliance on caffeine after 7 days of chronic exposure. Theacrine appears to be an effective compound for those looking to decrease muscular inflammation, pain, and discomfort. Comparatively, oral ingestion of 8 to 32mg of caffeine per kilogram of bodyweight did not decrease inflammation markets or increase pain tolerance. [6] Researchers fed mice 0, 3, 10, or 30mg of theacrine per kilogram of bodyweight for 7 consecutive days and found that theacrine also exhibits antidepressant properties. They measured antidepressant effects using a tail suspension test, forced swimming test, ambulatory activity test, yohimbine-induced toxicity test, reserpine test and 5-HTP (5-Hydroxytryptophan) induced head-twitching test. Compared to the control group, theacrine shortened the immobility time in the tail suspension test, enhanced locomotion during the forced swimming test, but decreased the yohimbine consumption toxicity threshold and increased head-twitching induced by 5-HTP. [8]
Theacrine appears to be an effective compound for those undergoing activities that decrease central nervous system function. Oral ingestion of theacrine exhibits anti-stress properties, specifically in mice with restraint stress-provoked liver damage (measured by plasma levels of alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and aspartate aminotransferase (AST)). Researchers fed mice 10, 20, or 30mg of theacrine per kilogram of bodyweight for 7 consecutive days and found that theacrine decrease plasma ALT and AST levels, reduced mRNA inflammatory markers, reversed tissue damaged, and increased oxygen radical absorbance capacity (ORAC) levels. [9] Theacrine appears to be an effective compound for those looking to modulate the stress response during high-stress situations. Theacrine Side Effects The current research does not indicate significant negative side effects from consuming Theacrine at dosages of 200 to 300mg. One study examining the LD50 of theacrine in mice (re: individual dose required to kill 50% of a test animal population) found that an average acute oral dose of 810.6mg/kg of bodyweight is required. [7] For a 180lb male, this equates to about 66 grams of theacrine, which is nearly impossible to consume. Kucha tea, a natural source of theacrine, has been consumed in China for thousands of years without any seriously reported side effects. [1] However, one study on mice found that high doses of theacrine decreased the yohimbine consumption toxicity threshold and increased head-twitching induced by 5-HTP in mice. [7] A decreased toxicity threshold indicates that less yohimbine was required to reach toxicity compared to the control group and the increased head twitching is likely due to how theacrine acts on gamma-Aminobutyric acid (GABA) receptors. Another study found that theacrine increased sleeping time after mice were injected with pentobarbital, a short-acting barbiturate. [10] However, we should not jump to the conclusion that theacrine has potent sedative and hypnotic properties based on what the study suggests. Given the plethora of benefits and minimal significant side effects, there’s no reason not to include Theacrine in your supplement arsenal
Theacrine is gaining popularity in the fitness industry due to its stimulant, anti-inflammatory and analgesic properties. Both Camellia Kucha Tea Leaves and Cupuaçu are naturally low in theacrine so supplement companies extract and refine theacrine from these sources so that it can be offered in a more concentrated, bioavailable and cost-effective form. Theacrine Recommended Dosages & Use Consider Theacrine to be a longer-lasting version of our favorite stimulant, caffeine. Theacrine is most commonly found in supplements advertised as pre-workouts and fat burners.
There is currently no standard dose quantity and frequency for theacrine, but one manufacturer suggests 200 to 300 milligrams to maximize its benefits without side effects. [1] Since theacrine exhibits stimulant properties, it’s recommended to those looking to increase their energy, alertness and locomotion. Theacrine is a good alternative to caffeine as well as banned synthetic stimulants like DMAA (1,3-dimethylamylamine), AMP citrate (4-amino-2-methylpentane citrate) and 1,3-DMBA (1,3-Dimethylbutylamine HCL). [1] Theacrine appeals to all fitness demographics – those looking to increase muscle, increase strength, improve athletic performance, or decrease fat mass. A Deeper Look at Theacrine Benefits Unfortunately, most studies examining theacrine exam mice rather than human subjects, but if the results below are any indication of theacrine s potential, then it’s just a matter of time before the number of human studies examining theacrine increases.
Theacrine increases locomotion (re: activity levels) by acting on both the adenosinergic and dopaminergic systems. Researchers injected rats with 0, 24, or 48mg of theacrine per kilogram of bodyweight and found that those administered the highest dose significantly increased activity levels compared to rats in the control group. [3] We should expect activity levels to increase as stimulant dosages increase. The activity levels of rats administered 48mg/kg of bodyweight not only remained high throughout the entire session but these rats also did not exhibit theacrine tolerance after 7 days of chronic exposure. [3] This gives theacrine the edge over caffeine which typically leads to a tolerance of and reliance on caffeine after 7 days of chronic exposure. After 7 days of caffeine exposure, mice activity levels decreased by 26% whereas 7 days of theacrine exposure led to a 167% increase in activity levels. [6][3] Oral ingestion of theacrine exhibits both anti-inflammatory and analgesic (re: pain relief) properties in mice. 8 to 32 milligrams of theacrine per kilogram of bodyweight decreased inflammation markers (measured by xylene-induced ear edema, λ-Carrageenan-induced paw edema, and vascularity permeability) as well as increased the pain tolerance (measured by acetic-acid induced writhing and pain threshold during hot-plate exposure). [7] nch Theacrine has the edge over caffeine which typically leads to a tolerance of and reliance on caffeine after 7 days of chronic exposure. Theacrine appears to be an effective compound for those looking to decrease muscular inflammation, pain, and discomfort. Comparatively, oral ingestion of 8 to 32mg of caffeine per kilogram of bodyweight did not decrease inflammation markets or increase pain tolerance. [6] Researchers fed mice 0, 3, 10, or 30mg of theacrine per kilogram of bodyweight for 7 consecutive days and found that theacrine also exhibits antidepressant properties. They measured antidepressant effects using a tail suspension test, forced swimming test, ambulatory activity test, yohimbine-induced toxicity test, reserpine test and 5-HTP (5-Hydroxytryptophan) induced head-twitching test. Compared to the control group, theacrine shortened the immobility time in the tail suspension test, enhanced locomotion during the forced swimming test, but decreased the yohimbine consumption toxicity threshold and increased head-twitching induced by 5-HTP. [8]
Theacrine appears to be an effective compound for those undergoing activities that decrease central nervous system function. Oral ingestion of theacrine exhibits anti-stress properties, specifically in mice with restraint stress-provoked liver damage (measured by plasma levels of alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and aspartate aminotransferase (AST)). Researchers fed mice 10, 20, or 30mg of theacrine per kilogram of bodyweight for 7 consecutive days and found that theacrine decrease plasma ALT and AST levels, reduced mRNA inflammatory markers, reversed tissue damaged, and increased oxygen radical absorbance capacity (ORAC) levels. [9] Theacrine appears to be an effective compound for those looking to modulate the stress response during high-stress situations. Theacrine Side Effects The current research does not indicate significant negative side effects from consuming Theacrine at dosages of 200 to 300mg. One study examining the LD50 of theacrine in mice (re: individual dose required to kill 50% of a test animal population) found that an average acute oral dose of 810.6mg/kg of bodyweight is required. [7] For a 180lb male, this equates to about 66 grams of theacrine, which is nearly impossible to consume. Kucha tea, a natural source of theacrine, has been consumed in China for thousands of years without any seriously reported side effects. [1] However, one study on mice found that high doses of theacrine decreased the yohimbine consumption toxicity threshold and increased head-twitching induced by 5-HTP in mice. [7] A decreased toxicity threshold indicates that less yohimbine was required to reach toxicity compared to the control group and the increased head twitching is likely due to how theacrine acts on gamma-Aminobutyric acid (GABA) receptors. Another study found that theacrine increased sleeping time after mice were injected with pentobarbital, a short-acting barbiturate. [10] However, we should not jump to the conclusion that theacrine has potent sedative and hypnotic properties based on what the study suggests. Given the plethora of benefits and minimal significant side effects, there’s no reason not to include Theacrine in your supplement arsenal
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