Theacrine for Health & Longevity - Quick Reference Sheet
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Theacrine for Health & Longevity

Created on 09/26/2026 – Quick Reference based on Evidence Review created using AI4L / Opus 5.5 – Audit

Theacrine, a caffeine relative from a Chinese wild tea sold as a dietary supplement for steady energy and focus, alone has small, inconsistent effects on energy and thinking and does not appear to improve strength or endurance. The clearest signal comes from pairing it with less caffeine. Healthy-aging claims rest on animal and cell research. Larger doses have produced caffeine-like side effects, poorer sleep, and possible blood pressure rises. (Full Review)

Protocol

Standard dose
50–200 mg once daily
50 mg start with caffeine sensitivity or over age 60; trials used up to 300 mg daily for eight weeks
Time of day
Single morning dose
60–90 minutes before demanding work or exercise; evening doses risk sleep disruption
Caffeine-paired approach
Roughly equal parts with caffeine
e.g., 150 mg each; aims for caffeine-level alertness with half the caffeine
Time to effect
Caffeine-paired alertness
60–90 min before task
Paired with caffeine before exercise, may sharpen reaction time under fatigue
Subjective energy
1–3 hours
When present; no data show cumulative benefits beyond acute effects
Fewer attention lapses
Next morning
Followed evening doses (400 mg); possible, unconfirmed high-dose effect

Benefits

Contraindications
  • Pregnant or breastfeeding women
  • Children and adolescents under 18 years
  • Uncontrolled high blood pressure (resting ≥140/90 mmHg)
  • Heart-rhythm disorders, or heart attack or stroke within the past 90 days
  • Active liver disease (liver enzymes above 3 times the upper limit of normal) or moderate-to-severe liver scarring (Child-Pugh Class B–C cirrhosis)
  • Panic disorder, severe anxiety disorder, or chronic insomnia
  • Adenosine or regadenoson cardiac stress test within 5 days
    •
Key Interactions
  • Caffeine (supplements, coffee, tea, energy drinks): Monitor
  • Prescription stimulants for attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (amphetamine, methylphenidate, modafinil): Caution
  • Monoamine oxidase inhibitors (older antidepressants; phenelzine, tranylcypromine, selegiline): Caution (theoretical)
  • Blood-pressure medications (amlodipine, lisinopril, losartan): Monitor
  • Sedatives and sleep medications (zolpidem, benzodiazepines such as alprazolam): Monitor
  • Over-the-counter decongestants and caffeine-containing pain relievers (pseudoephedrine, phenylephrine, Excedrin): Monitor
  • Over-the-counter sleep aids (diphenhydramine, doxylamine): Monitor
  • Stimulant supplements (methylliberine, synephrine, yohimbine, guarana, yerba mate, green tea extract): Caution
  • L-theanine: Monitor
  • Alcohol: Monitor
    •

Risk & Side Effects

  • High:
  • Medium: Stimulant-type side effects at higher doses
    •
  • Low: Blood pressure elevation; poorer sleep after high doses
    •
  • Speculative: Liver injury at very high doses; male reproductive toxicity; chromosome damage; stress-hormone rise
    •

Monitoring

Marker Target Why
Blood pressure (seated, home) 110–120 / 70–80 mmHg Detects stimulant-related rise
Resting heart rate 50–70 bpm Detects stimulant effect
ALT 10–25 U/L Liver-cell injury screen
AST 10–25 U/L Liver and muscle injury screen
Creatinine / eGFR eGFR ≥90 mL/min/1.73 m² Kidney function reference
Sleep efficiency (wearable) No established target for theacrine; track change from own baseline (typically ≥85%) Detects sleep disruption

Cadence: Baseline before starting; blood pressure and resting heart rate 1–3 h after dosing on 3–5 days in weeks 1–2, then weekly for 3 months; liver enzymes and kidney function at 8–12 weeks, then every 6–12 months with continued daily use; sleep metrics at 2 weeks and after any dose increase

Qualitative Assessment

  • Daytime energy and absence of an afternoon slump
  • Focus and sustained attention during long tasks
  • Ease of falling asleep and number of night-time awakenings
  • Jitteriness, anxiety, palpitations, or headache
  • Daily caffeine intake needed to feel alert
Not medical advice. Educational distillation of a single evidence review. Confirm any decision with a qualified clinician, especially in the presence of prescription drugs or chronic conditions.