Theacrine
Theacrine is a purine alkaloid structurally related to caffeine, found in Camellia assamica var. kucha and sold as 'TeaCrine'. It provides energy and mood support with a slower onset and reportedly less tolerance and jitteriness than caffeine, and has modest human trial support.
01 Overview
Theacrine (1,3,7,9-tetramethyluric acid) differs from caffeine by extra methyl and oxygen groups. Small human trials suggest it can improve energy, mood and focus, and some data indicate less tachyphylaxis (tolerance build-up) over one to two months compared with caffeine.
It is often paired with caffeine, with pharmacokinetic work showing theacrine can increase caffeine exposure. Overall it is one of the better-studied ingredients in this family, though trials remain small.
02 Mechanism
Adenosine receptor antagonism and modulation of dopaminergic signalling, similar in kind to caffeine but with slower kinetics and reportedly less tolerance.
03 Dosing
| Tier | Dose | Route | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Common | 100–300 mg/day | Oral | Doses of 200-300 mg used in trials. |
04 Effects
| Effect | Magnitude | Evidence | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Increased energy and focusSmall trials report improved subjective energy and concentration. | Moderate | Clinical | |
| Mood improvementReported positive mood effects, possibly via dopamine modulation. | Mild | Clinical |
05 Side effects
| Effect | Severity | Frequency | Evidence | Countermeasures |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mild overstimulationJitteriness or restlessness at higher doses, especially with caffeine. | Mild | Uncommon | Clinical | |
| Sleep disruptionLong half-life can impair sleep if taken late. | Mild | Uncommon | Anecdotal |