Theacrine
OTHER NAME(S): 1,3,7,9-Tetramethylpurine-2,6,8-trione, 1,3,7,9-Tetramethyluric Acid, Tetramethyluric Acid, Theacrine
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
We currently have no information for Theacrine overview.
Side Effects
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.
Precautions
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 TheacrineTheacrine 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.
References
- 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.
- Wang Y, Yang X, Zheng X, et al. Theacrine, a purine alkaloid with anti-inflammatory and analgesic activities. Filoterapia 2010;81(6):627-31.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.