THEACRINE: Overview, Uses, Side Effects, Precautions, Interactions, Dosing and Reviews

Overview

Theacrine is a naturally occurring chemical similar to caffeine. It's found in teas and coffee, especially the tea plant Camellia assamica var. kucha.

Theacrine can affect the brain similarly to caffeine. Theacrine speeds up the central nervous system at higher doses and slows down the central nervous system at lower doses.

People use theacrine for fatigue, memory and thinking skills, athletic performance, muscle strength, and many other purposes, but there is no good scientific evidence to support these uses.

Uses & Effectiveness ?

We currently have no information for THEACRINE overview.

Side Effects

Special Precautions and Warnings

When taken by mouth: Theacrine is possibly safe when used short-term. A specific product (TeaCrine) providing 300 mg of theacrine daily has been used safely for up to 8 weeks. It seems to be well-tolerated, but it's not clear what side effects theacrine might cause.

Pregnancy and breast-feeding: There isn't enough reliable information to know if theacrine is safe to use when pregnant or breast feeding. Stay on the safe side and avoid use.

Interactions ?

Moderate Interaction

Be cautious with this combination

Sedative medications (CNS depressants) interacts with THEACRINE
Theacrine might cause sleepiness and slowed breathing at low doses. At high doses, theacrine might decrease sleepiness. Some medications, called sedatives, can cause sleepiness and slowed breathing. Taking theacrine with sedative medications might increase or decrease the effects of those medications.

Dosing

There isn't enough reliable information to know what an appropriate dose of theacrine might be. Keep in mind that natural products are not always necessarily safe and dosages can be important. Be sure to follow relevant directions on product labels and consult a healthcare professional before using.

View References

REFERENCES:

Feduccia AA, Wang Y, Simms JA, et al. Locomotor activation by theacrine, a purine alkaloid structurally similar to caffeine: involvement of adenosine and dopamine receptors. Pharmacol Biochem Behav. 2012;102(2):241-8. View abstract.

Habowski SM, Sandrock JE, Kedia AW, Ziegenfuss TN. The effects of Teacrine, a nature-identical purine alkaloid, on subjective measures of cognitive function, psychometric and hemodynamic indices in healthy humans: a randomized, double-blinded crossover pilot trial [poster]. J Int Soc Sports Nutr 2014;11(Suppl 1):P49.

Li SB, Li YF, Mao ZF, et al. Different chemical compositions of three teas may explain their different effects on acute blood pressure in spontaneously hypertensive rats. J Sci Food Agric 2015;95:1236-42. View abstract.

Li WX, Li YF, Zhai YJ, et al. Theacrine, a purine alkaloid obtained from Camellia assamica var. kucha, attenuates restraint stress-provoked liver damage in mice. J Agric Food Chem 2013;61(26):6328-35. View abstract.

Wang Y, Yang X, Zheng X, et al. Theacrine, a purine alkaloid with anti-inflammatory and analgesic activities. Filoterapia 2010;81(6):627-31. View abstract.

Xu JK, Kurihara H, Zhao L, Yao XS. Theacrine, a special purine alkaloid with sedative and hypnotic properties from Cammelia assamica var. kucha in mice. J Asian Nat Prod Res 2007;9(6-8):665-72. View abstract.

Zheng XQ, Ye CX, Kato M, et al. Theacrine (1,3,7,9-tetramethyluric acid) synthesis in leaves of a Chinese tea, kucha (Camellia assamica var. kucha). Phytochemistry 2002;60(2):129-34. View abstract.

Bello ML, Walker AJ, McFadden BA, Sanders DJ, Arent SM. The effects of TeaCrine® and caffeine on endurance and cognitive performance during a simulated match in high-level soccer players. J Int Soc Sports Nutr. 2019;16(1):20. View abstract.

Cesareo KR, Mason JR, Saracino PG, Morrissey MC, Ormsbee MJ. The effects of a caffeine-like supplement, TeaCrine, on muscular strength, endurance and power performance in resistance-trained men. J Int Soc Sports Nutr. 2019;16(1):47. View abstract.

Cintineo HP, Bello ML, Chandler AJ, Cardaci TD, McFadden BA, Arent SM. Effects of caffeine, methylliberine, and theacrine on vigilance, marksmanship, and hemodynamic responses in tactical personnel: a double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled trial. J Int Soc Sports Nutr. 2022 Aug 18;19(1):543-64. View abstract.

Kuhman DJ, Joyner KJ, Bloomer RJ. Cognitive performance and mood following ingestion of a theacrine-containing dietary supplement, caffeine, or placebo by young men and women. Nutrients. 2015;7(11):9618-32. View abstract.

Tartar JL, Banks JB, Marang M, Pizzo F, Antonio J. A combination of caffeine, TeaCrine® (theacrine), and Dynamine® (methylliberine) increases cognitive performance and reaction time without interfering with mood in adult male egamers. Cureus. 2021 Dec 20;13(12):e20534. View abstract.

Taylor L, Mumford P, Roberts M, et al. Safety of TeaCrine®, a non-habituating, naturally-occurring purine alkaloid over eight weeks of continuous use. J Int Soc Sports Nutr. 2016;13:2. View abstract.

Wang Y, Yang X, Zheng X, et al. Theacrine, a purine alkaloid with anti-inflammatory and analgesic activities. Filoterapia 2010;81(6):627-31. View abstract.

Zheng XQ, Ye CX, Kato M, et al. Theacrine (1,3,7,9-tetramethyluric acid) synthesis in leaves of a Chinese tea, kucha (Camellia assamica var. kucha). Phytochemistry 2002;60(2):129-34. View abstract.

CONDITIONS OF USE AND IMPORTANT INFORMATION: This information is meant to supplement, not replace advice from your doctor or healthcare provider and is not meant to cover all possible uses, precautions, interactions or adverse effects. This information may not fit your specific health circumstances. Never delay or disregard seeking professional medical advice from your doctor or other qualified health care provider because of something you have read on WebMD. You should always speak with your doctor or health care professional before you start, stop, or change any prescribed part of your health care plan or treatment and to determine what course of therapy is right for you.

This copyrighted material is provided by Natural Medicines Comprehensive Database Consumer Version. Information from this source is evidence-based and objective, and without commercial influence. For professional medical information on natural medicines, see Natural Medicines Comprehensive Database Professional Version.
© Therapeutic Research Faculty 2020.

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