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Tc5.5
Theacrine Research
Mostly mechanism / observational
13 peer-reviewed studies
What the evidence says
Mostly mechanism / observational
Most Theacrine studies are mechanism or observational rather than RCTs that measure a clinical effect — keep findings provisional.
Most evidence is from high-quality randomised trials published 2015–2026 with a typical study size of 20 participants.
Based on 13 studies · 12 RCTs · 205 total participants
Confidence
Moderate confidence
By outcome
Endurance & exercise performanceEndurance benefit unproven — most RCTs of theacrine alone showed no improvement · 30-60 minutes · Standalone ergogenic effect not demonstrated; may add to caffeine · 30-60 minutes
Mostly mechanism / observational9 studies
Cognitive function
Mostly mechanism / observational6 studies
Heart & blood pressure
Mostly mechanism / observational4 studies
Energy & fatigueSustained energy without tolerance buildup · 30-60 minutes
Depression & moodEnhanced mood through dopamine pathway · 30-60 minutes
Too few graded studies1 study
Active research area
7 studies in the last 5 years
201520202026
1Effects on depression, anxiety, and sleep disordersSystematic Review2024
In plain English: 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...
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 stress and inflammation.
Additionally, these ingredients may influence the microbiota-gut-brain (MGB) axis and the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis.
In plain English: 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.
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.
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.
In plain English: SIngestion of CAF and CTC improved various measures of cognitive performance before, and after fatiguing exercise.
Lints BS et al. · Journal of the International Society of Sports Nutrition (2025)
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.
In plain English: In conclusion, theacrine supplementation does not improve endurance performance and provokes side effects that might restrict its use as a supplement.
Vieira-Cavalcante V et al. · Applied physiology, nutrition, and metabolism = Physiologie appliquee, nutrition et metabolisme (2025)
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.
In plain English: Therefore, the findings of this study do not support the use of theacrine to increase physical performance.
Cerqueira HSC et al. · International journal of environmental research and public health (2022)
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.
In plain English: The 27-38% improvements in TTE reflect increased performance capacity that may have important implications for overtime scenarios.
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.
These findings suggest TeaCrine® favorably impacts endurance and the combination with caffeine provides greater benefits on cognitive function than either supplement independently.
In plain English: 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.
Daou M et al. · Journal of dietary supplements (2019)
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.
In plain English: Neither TEA300, CAFF300, COMBO, or PLA (when consumed 90 min pre-exercise) improved muscular strength, power, or endurance performance in resistance-trained men.
Cesareo KR et al. · Journal of the International Society of Sports Nutrition (2019)
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.
In plain English: 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.
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.
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.
Stoke C et al. · Applied physiology, nutrition, and metabolism = Physiologie appliquee, nutrition et metabolisme (2026)
Repeated measures ANOVA results indicated greater salivary cortisol concentration in the theacrine conditions versus the placebo condition at 120 and 180 min post-treatment.
The effect of greater theacrine doses on subjective feelings of energy is unclear, as energy only improved in the placebo treatment.
Overall, greater theacrine doses increased salivary cortisol with no significant impacts on heart rate, blood pressure, subjective feelings of energy, alpha-amylase, and cognitive performance.