Theacrine, also known as 1,3,7,9-tetramethyluric acid, is a purine alkaloid found in the cocoa fruit cupuacu (Theobroma grandiflorum) and chinese tea (Camellia assamica) known as "kucha." Alone structure chemical teacrines is similar to caffeine with an additional methyl group at position 9 and carbamide as a result of an additional ketone group at position 8.
Theacrine is used For chronic fatigue, to improve memory and cognitive function and affects the brain similarly to caffeine by stimulating the central nervous system at higher doses and quieting central nervous system activity at lower doses.
"Kucha", a variety of tea native to China that is a rich source of theacrine has been used in Chinese medicine for years for Improving mood, mood, stamina and immunity.
How does theacrine affect our body?
1 ) It has an energizing effect, positively affects mood and well-being and slightly improves cognitive abilities - a study on young women and men supplementing with 150mg of caffeine, 150mg of theacrine, and caffeine and placebo for periods of 3 days separated by a week of no supplementation at all. An increase in subjective feelings was noted attentiveness, alertness, focus and higher energy in subjects supplementing theacrine with caffeine relative to groups supplementing only caffeine, or placebo.
2 ) Increases endurance - A study simulating a soccer match in both men and women found that theacrine supplemented with caffeine not only increased cognitive abilities more than either supplement alone, but also gave a fitness advantage to the group using the supplement Over the control group in overtime.
3 ) Does not increase blood pressure - Unlike caffeine, studies show that the use of theacrine supplements does not accelerate the heartbeat or increase blood pressure.
4 ) No side effects - In a 90-day rat study, very large doses were used to establish a no observed effect level (NOAEL) for theacrine, which according to that study is 180 mg/kg body weight/day. In a healthy 70-kilogram human, that's 12.6 grams of theacrine per day.
What does it look like in practice?
Supplementation 200mg teacrines for at least 7 days can add energy, significantly improve mood, increase stamina, reduce feelings of fatigue and, unlike caffeine, will not increase blood pressure or cause anxiety effects at higher doses.
It is a supplement derived from tea or cocoa fruit with a very low risk of side effects (no side effects of long-term use of theacrine have been found in the scientific literature until now).
1, 3 - https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/26610558/
2 - https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/30999897/
4 - https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/27635133/
