Amino acids are making their way into more and more wellness products, and it’s easy to see why. They can provide a nice balance between calming effects and cognitive enhancement, empowering you to focus, unwind, or perhaps both at the same time!
Two of the most popular amino acids you’ll come across are L-theanine vs L-tyrosine. Although they share similarities, they also have quite a few distinct differences. So which is better for your goals? It all depends on what those goals are!
L-theanine can help promote a relaxed state of focus, making it worth trying for managing stress, racing thoughts, or potentially even improving sleep! It’s commonly paired with caffeine in concentration supplements.
L-tyrosine, on the other hand, is a bit more uplifting and could support a better stress response in high-pressure moments. We like to think of it as something you can use when you’re running on empty and need help coping with pressure.
But can you use L-theanine and L-tyrsoine together for the best of both worlds? We’ll cover this and more below, helping you gain clarity on the differences between L-tyrosine vs L-theanine and incorporating amino acids into your wellness regimen.
Personally, though, we prefer L-theanine because it’s more suitable for daily use. That’s why we’ve included it in our Sleep Tabs, Energy Tabs, and Stress Tabs as one of the most important ingredients. Learn more about how Tabs can fit into your self-care ritual today!
What is L-Theanine?
This amino acid occurs naturally in green tea leaves and has earned a reputation for promoting a sense of calm without knocking you out. It’s more of a mental exhale than a full shut-off. Your body doesn’t make L-theanine on its own, so you’ll have to get it through food or supplements.
So, how long does L-theanine take to work? It crosses the blood-brain barrier to start working its magic almost immediately. What does it do exactly, though?
It may boost alpha brain waves, which are associated with a relaxed but alert state. This is the same brain activity examined during meditation. So, in case you’re wondering how you’ll feel when taking L-theanine: very relaxed.
It also has the ability to interact with neurotransmitters like GABA, dopamine, and serotonin, all of which play a role in how you manage stress, stay focused, and feel emotionally balanced.
Most people take L-theanine to get a hold on anxious energy, improve concentration, or take the edge off caffeine, which can be a bit too jittery on its own. It doesn’t sedate you or make you groggy, so you can use it during the daytime or nighttime.
It’s naturally derived and non-habit-forming, too, so you can add it to your daily routine without stressing about any dependency or side effects of L-theanine. But how does it compare to the other half of the L-theanine vs L-tyrosine comparison?
What is L-Tyrosine?
Your body relies on this amino acid to help make neurotransmitters such as dopamine, norepinephrine, and epinephrine. These chemicals influence mood regulation, motivation, and stress response - so they’re pretty important!
Your body can make L-tyrosine on its own, unlike L-theanine. It transforms it from a different amino acid called phenylalanine. Still, some people choose to supplement their internal production through food and supplements.
You’ll mostly hear about L-tyrosine in the context of physical and mental performance. That’s because it may help you stay sharp for exams, intense workouts, or long workdays. It provides value in any high-stress situations where you might feel overwhelmed.
It makes sense when you think about it because the brain burns through its neurotransmitter supply pretty quickly during stressful scenarios. Basically, you want to keep plenty of L-tyrosine stocked in the body so your neurotransmitter reserves never run dry.
You probably won’t feel anything dramatic when you take L-tyrosine. It’s super subtle. It’s also not something you’d reach for when you want to chill out. Instead, it’s more of a buffer that helps you stay alert, focused, and mentally functional when pressure is high or sleep is low.
You’ll find L-tyrosine in pre-workouts and nootropic blends, but the truth is, it’s not something you should take on a daily basis since your body is already working hard to produce it. So, where does that leave you in choosing between L-theanine vs L-tyrosine?
L-Theanine vs L-Tyrosine: The Difference Between L-Theanine and L-Tyrosine
We want to be clear in saying that it’s really not a matter of choosing between L-tyrosine vs L-theanine. Your body needs both to function optimally. But, they serve different purposes, and you should keep that in mind when adding any product to your wellness stack.
The key takeaway from this guide is that your body is producing L-tyrosine right now as you read this - but it cannot produce L-theanine on its own. That’s why most people end up choosing an L-theanine supplement instead of an L-tyrosine supplement.
There are exceptions, of course, as there are in any health and wellness discussion. So, let’s take a closer look at the differences between L-theanine vs L-tyrosine below.
Physical and Mental Effects
L-theanine helps you feel calm, focused, and steady all day long. But does L-theanine make you sleepy? Not necessarily. It won’t dull your mind or slow you down. It’s great for daytime use when you just need to smooth things out and clear the mental chatter so you can concentrate.
That being said, L-theanine is included in many sleep products because it sets the foundation for a good night’s rest. It can press the mute button on racing thoughts and create a sense of relaxation so you can more easily drift away to a deep, restful sleep.
L-tyrosine feels different. It won’t produce the same calming effect as L-theanine, instead, it gears you up and supports mental alertness and focus in higher-stress situations. That’s why athletes use it before a big game, and why professionals rely on it for presentations.
Think of it as mental fuel for pressure-heavy moments. It’s not energizing in the way caffeine is, but it can help your brain keep running when you’re sleep-deprived or mentally drained.
Pairing With Other Compounds
Both L-theanine and L-tyrosine can have an impact on their own, but they do their best work when paired with complementary compounds.
Take L-theanine and caffeine, for instance. This dynamic duo is used by athletes and 9-5ers alike because it provides clean focus without the spike-and-crash or the jitters.
L-tyrosine, on the other hand, is usually added to pre-workouts or stress-support blends. It stacks well with adaptogens like rhodiola or stimulants like caffeine when you're pushing through fatigue.
Potential Side Effects
Most people tolerate L-theanine well. It’s non-sedating, non-addictive, and doesn’t really cause any adverse reactions - at least, when you follow the tips in our L-theanine dosage guide and use a quality supplement!
Some people might feel a little too relaxed if they take a lot, but that’s about it. In contrast, L-tyrosine can feel overstimulating or mess with your sleep in too high of doses.
Although it’s supposed to help support a better stress response, it can sometimes have the opposite effect and make things feel more intense rather than less.
Which One is Better for Daily Use?
L-theanine is the better fit for someone who wants to support calm focus and emotional balance on a daily basis. It integrates seamlessly into your existing routine to keep your brain clear and take the edge off, whether that edge comes from stress, screens, or too much coffee.
L-tyrosine has its place, but it’s more of a “break glass in case of emergency” than a daily driver. In our experience, it can just add more noise if you’re already stressed and overwhelmed. This could be cause you already have plenty of L-tyrosine in your body.
Can You Take L-Theanine and L-Tyrosine Together?
While it’s clear which is the better addition to your daily routine between L-theanine vs L-tyrosine, maybe you want to round out your regimen and enjoy the best of both worlds. So, can you take L-theanine and L-tyrosine together?
Although you can combine them, that doesn’t mean you should. Just like combining ashwagandha and L-theanine, there are potential drawbacks. If your baseline is already anxious/overstimulated, L-tyrosine might not do you any favors, even with theanine in the mix.
But if you’re walking into something intense and want a clear head without tipping into tension, using both together in moderate doses can help balance stimulation with calm.
After all, they support similar outcomes in different ways. L-theanine can help you stay calm and centered to prevent losing your cool, while L-tyrosine supports mental performance during stressful or high-pressure moments where L-theanine may not be enough on its own.
Start low with each ingredient and give your body space to respond if you’re going to experiment with combining L-theanine and L-tyrosine together.
Timing matters, too. Tyrosine is better in the morning or early afternoon, while theanine works any time you need to dial things down without checking out. But the truth is, Tabs has already formulated products with L-theanine and other supporting ingredients - so why bother?
Try Our Products With L-Theanine Today!
Tabs has helped more than 200,000 happy customers and counting heighten any experiences with purposefully-designed products. You might know us for our sex chocolate, but we also have formulations for sleep, stress, energy, social settings - you name it!
- Sleep Tabs: Get a better night’s rest and wake up refreshed through a combination of L-theanine, California poppy, saffron, melatonin, kanna, and valerian root.
- Energy Tabs: Put distractions in the rearview and boost productivity through L-theanine and organic green tea caffeine, a dynamic duo for focus.
- Stress Tabs: Find your zen state with the help of L-theanine, kanna, and theobromine.
Everything we make is sourced from high-quality ingredients and brought to life in our FDA-registered facilities here in the USA. Plus, your purchase is protected by our 30-day satisfaction guarantee. What do you have to lose? Try Tabs today.
Parting Thoughts on L-Tyrosine vs L-Theanine
Although L-tyrosine and L-theanine both have their place in the realm of amino acids, they’re very different. L-tyrosine is produced in the body to help you push through pressure when your brain’s under stress.
L-theanine, on the other hand, helps you stay steady, clear, and grounded in any circumstances. It’s more versatile as part of your daily routine, and your body can’t make it on its own, which is why the decision between L-theanine vs L-tyrosine is obvious.
Support focus, mood, and calm in all of life’s encounters with the help of L-theanine. Our tongue tabs are the ultimate addition to any self-care ritual or performance stack. Keep stress in check and concentration dialed in - shop Tabs today!
Disclaimer: These products are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease, and these statements haven't been evaluated by the FDA.