THEACRINE

OTHER NAME(S):

1,3,7,9-Tetramethylpurine-2,6,8-trione, 1,3,7,9-Tetramethyluric Acid, Tetramethyluric Acid.

Overview

Overview Information

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

People use theacrine for fatigue, memory and thinking skills (cognitive function), athletic performance, and other conditions, but there is no good scientific evidence to support these uses.

How does it work?

Theacrine seems to affect the brain similar to caffeine. Theacrine stimulates the central nervous system at higher doses and decreases central nervous system at lower doses.
Uses

Uses & Effectiveness?

Insufficient Evidence for

  • Athletic performance. Early research shows that taking a single dose of theacrine doesn't help athletes exercise longer, row faster, or make exercise feel easier.
  • Memory and thinking skills (cognitive function). The effects of theacrine on memory and thinking skills is unclear. Most clinical studies have been small, and results have been conflicting. Some early research shows that taking a single dose of theacrine doesn't improve thinking skills in healthy people. But other research shows that taking the same product daily for 7 days might improve concentration in some people.
  • Muscle strength. Early research shows that taking a single dose of theacrine doesn't increase muscle strength or power in men who lift weights.
  • Aging.
  • Common cold.
  • Fatigue.
  • Other conditions.
More evidence is needed to rate the effectiveness of theacrine for these uses.

Side Effects

Side Effects & Safety

When taken by mouth: Theacrine is POSSIBLY SAFE when a taken by mouth, short-term. A specific product (TeaCrine) providing 300 mg of theacrine daily has been used safely for up to 8 weeks. No side effects have been reported. But the safety of theacrine has not been well studied.

Special Precautions & Warnings:

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

Interactions?

We currently have no information for THEACRINE Interactions.

Dosing

Dosing

The appropriate dose of theacrine depends on several factors such as the user's age, health, and several other conditions. At this time there is not enough scientific information to determine an appropriate range of doses for theacrine (in children/in adults). 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 your pharmacist or physician or other healthcare professional before using.

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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.
  • 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.
  • 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.
  • 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.
  • 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.
  • 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.

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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.
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