Tc7.5

Theacrine Research

13 peer-reviewed studies · Evidence score: 7.5/10

Uncovering the effects and mechanisms of tea and its components on depression, anxiety, and sleep disorders: A comprehensive review

Han Z et al. • Food research international (Ottawa, Ont.) (2024)

The underlying molecular mechanisms involve the regulation of neurotransmitters, including monoamines, GABA, and brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), as well as the suppression of oxidative st...

The underlying molecular mechanisms involve the regulation of neurotransmitters, including monoamines, GABA, and brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), as well as the suppression of oxidative stress and inflammation.
Additionally, these ingredients may influence the microbiota-gut-brain (MGB) axis and the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis.

Systematic Review

DOI

A caffeine and theacrine combination improves cognitive performance in tactical personnel under physically fatiguing conditions

Lints BS et al. • Journal of the International Society of Sports Nutrition (2025)

SIngestion of CAF and CTC improved various measures of cognitive performance before, and after fatiguing exercise.

In the Object Hit & Avoid task, CAF and CTC significantly improved task accuracy (p < 0.01) while reducing omission (p < 0.01) and commission errors (p < 0.01) compared to PLA.
HRV measures (RMSSD, NN intervals, SDNN) significantly increased post-supplementation (p < 0.01) but decreased immediately (p < 0.01) and 30 min post-exercise (p < 0.01).
SIngestion of CAF and CTC improved various measures of cognitive performance before, and after fatiguing exercise.

RCTn=20

DOI

Theacrine as a novel ergogenic aid: impact on canoe sprint performance

Jovanov P et al. • Journal of the International Society of Sports Nutrition (2025)

Caffeine remains a powerful ergogenic aid in sprint paddling, enhancing both mechanical output and muscle oxygen utilization.

Caffeine significantly improved the 500-meter time trial (-1.872 s vs.
Theacrine alone (T) did not lead to statistically significant performance improvements.
Caffeine remains a powerful ergogenic aid in sprint paddling, enhancing both mechanical output and muscle oxygen utilization.

RCTn=20

DOI

Effects of caffeine, methylliberine, and theacrine on vigilance, marksmanship, and hemodynamic responses in tactical personnel: a double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled trial

Cintineo HP et al. • Journal of the International Society of Sports Nutrition (2022)

These findings suggest similar benefits on RT during a vigilance task between CAF, containing 300 mg caffeine, and CMT above PLA, though CAF resulted in slightly less favorable hemodynamic changes.

These findings suggest similar benefits on RT during a vigilance task between CAF, containing 300 mg caffeine, and CMT above PLA, though CAF resulted in slightly less favorable hemodynamic changes.
This study is the first to provide data showing similar efficacy of combined caffeine, methylliberine, and theacrine compared to double the caffeine dose consumed alone on vigilance RT but without a significant rise in DBP above PLA in tactical personnel.
Further research warranted to confirm findings

RCTn=48

DOI

A two-part approach to examine the safety and efficacy of TeaCrine

Taylor L et al. • Journal of the International Society of Sports Nutrition (2016)

Theacrine demonstrated safety and efficacy for energy and focus without habituation.

No tolerance buildup over 8 weeks
Improved energy and focus
No significant side effects

RCTn=60

DOI

Different doses of theacrine do not improve 4 km cycling time trial performance

Vieira-Cavalcante V et al. • Applied physiology, nutrition, and metabolism = Physiologie appliquee, nutrition et metabolisme (2025)

In conclusion, theacrine supplementation does not improve endurance performance and provokes side effects that might restrict its use as a supplement.

No significant differences (p < 0.05) were observed in time to cover the 4 km cycling time trial between the placebo, 3 mg·kg-1 of theacrine, and 6 mg·kg-1 of theacrine conditions.
However, the intake of theacrine at the dose of 6 mg·kg-1 increased resting systolic and diastolic blood pressure (p < 0.05).
Some side effects, such as gastrointestinal discomfort, perception of tachycardia, dizziness, headache, head pressure, hand tremor, and lack of disposition were reported after the ingestion of either 3 or 6 mg·kg-1 of body mass of theacrine.

RCTn=11

DOI

Effects of Theacrine as a Pre-Workout Supplement

Cerqueira HSC et al. • International journal of environmental research and public health (2022)

Therefore, the findings of this study do not support the use of theacrine to increase physical performance.

The first assessment served as a basal measurement.
In the second, the subjects ingested the supplement or a placebo 60 min before the following tests: sextuple jump, agility T test, 30 m sprint, 40 s run test (Matsudo test), and 12 min run test (Cooper test).
There was no difference between the groups in any of the tests.

RCTn=22

DOI

Safety of Short-Term Supplementation with Methylliberine (Dynamine(®)) Alone and in Combination with TeaCrine(®) in Young Adults

VanDusseldorp TA et al. • Nutrients (2020)

This suggests that DYM alone or in combination with TCR consumed at the dosages used in this study does not appear to negatively affect markers of health over four weeks of continuous use.

One-hundred twenty-five men and women (mean age 23.0 yrs, height 169.7 cm, body mass 72.1 kg; n = 25/group) were randomly assigned to one of five groups: low-dose DYM (100 mg), high-dose DYM (150 mg), low-dose DYM with TCR (100 mg + 50 mg), high-dose DYM with TCR (150 mg + 25 mg) , and placebo.
While small changes were found in some cardiovascular and blood biomarkers, no clinically significant changes occurred.
This suggests that DYM alone or in combination with TCR consumed at the dosages used in this study does not appear to negatively affect markers of health over four weeks of continuous use.

RCTn=25

DOI

The effects of TeaCrine® and caffeine on endurance and cognitive performance during a simulated match in high-level soccer players

Bello ML et al. • Journal of the International Society of Sports Nutrition (2019)

The 27-38% improvements in TTE reflect increased performance capacity that may have important implications for overtime scenarios.

The 27-38% improvements in TTE reflect increased performance capacity that may have important implications for overtime scenarios.
These findings suggest TeaCrine® favorably impacts endurance and the combination with caffeine provides greater benefits on cognitive function than either supplement independently.
Further research warranted to confirm findings

RCTn=24

DOI

The effects of a caffeine-like supplement, TeaCrine®, on muscular strength, endurance and power performance in resistance-trained men

Cesareo KR et al. • Journal of the International Society of Sports Nutrition (2019)

Neither TEA300, CAFF300, COMBO, or PLA (when consumed 90 min pre-exercise) improved muscular strength, power, or endurance performance in resistance-trained men.

Only CAFF300 resulted in significant increases in perceived energy and motivation to exercise vs.
TEA300, but there were no significant differences between CAFF300 and COMBO (Energy + 3.9% [- 6.9-14.7%], Focus + 2.5% [- 6.3-11.3%], Motivation to exercise + 0.5% [- 11.6-12.6%]; p > 0.05).
Neither TEA300, CAFF300, COMBO, or PLA (when consumed 90 min pre-exercise) improved muscular strength, power, or endurance performance in resistance-trained men.

RCTn=12

DOI

Cognitive Performance and Mood Following Ingestion of a Theacrine-Containing Dietary Supplement, Caffeine, or Placebo by Young Men and Women

Kuhman DJ et al. • Nutrients (2015)

These data indicate that TheaTrim treatment does not result in a statistically significant improvement in cognitive performance but may favorably impact multiple subjective feelings related to energy and mood.

These data indicate that TheaTrim treatment does not result in a statistically significant improvement in cognitive performance but may favorably impact multiple subjective feelings related to energy and mood.
No condition or interaction effects were noted for TMT, DSST, or reaction time, despite a trend for improvement in selected variables with both TheaTrim and caffeine treatment.
Condition effects or trends were noted for subjective feelings, with values for attentive, alert, focused, and energetic higher for TheaTrim than for placebo and caffeine, while values for lethargic and groggy were lower for TheaTrim than for placebo and caffeine.

RCTn=10

DOI

Effects of a Multi-Ingredient Energy Supplement on Cognitive Performance and Cerebral-Cortical Activation

Daou M et al. • Journal of dietary supplements (2019)

In conclusion, our findings suggest that MIES can increase cerebral-cortical activation and RT during task performance while increasing sensitivity to target stimuli in a dose-dependent manner.

For both d' and RT, the Session (MIES-1, MIES-2, PL) × Time (pretest, posttest) interaction approached statistical significance (p = .07, η2p = 0.106).
With respect to upper-alpha power, the Session × Time interaction was significant (p < .001, η2p = 0.422).
Exploring these interactions with linear contrasts, a significant linear effect of supplement dose on the linear effect of time was observed (ps ≤.034), suggesting the pretest-to-posttest improvement in sensitivity to task target stimuli (d') and RT increased as a function of supplement dose.

RCTn=24

DOI

A comparative analysis of chemical compositions in Camellia sinensis var. puanensis Kurihara, a novel Chinese tea, by HPLC and UFLC-Q-TOF-MS/MS

Li YF et al. • Food chemistry (2017)

Our results showed that theacrine, but not caffeine, was the dominated purine alkaloid detected in Puan tea.

Our results showed that theacrine, but not caffeine, was the dominated purine alkaloid detected in Puan tea.
Meanwhile, Puan tea contained B-type procyanidin dimer, trimer and dimer monogallate, which were not detected in Camellia sinensis, Camellia ptilophylla and Camellia assamica var. kucha.
The obtained results could support the local uses of Puan tea in health and nutrition and contribute to the research of tea variety.

Observational

DOI

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