L-Theanine for Anxiety and Depression - Does It Work? Evidence?
L-theanine is a supplement that you can take that has evidence behind it that it will help you reach higher levels of serotonin, dopamine and glycine, and a combination of these increases could help relieve anxiety, reduce stress, and maybe even help some depression. L-theanine is something that is primarily found in green and black tea and some mushrooms, but it's also available in a pill or tablet form. In the image to the right, I've got what I've been taking. This is my bottle of L-theanine.
It's not expensive. I don't remember how much I spent on it. I heard from a family member about the effectiveness of this, and that it's indicated for stress and anxiety. I thought, I've got to check this out for myself. So I went online. I bought that bottle. I've been taking it for a few months now. I'll be honest with you, my experience with it hasn't been earth shattering.
I do think at this time in my life, I've got the things that I take for my anxiety. I take L-Methylfolate, which is another supplement I talk about in an article here. I take Prozac, which is an SSRI. I also take magnesium as a lotion. I supplement that and I talk about that in another article here. Between those three things, plus adding this L-theanine, I've been in the best condition of my life. As far as anxiety goes and my overall mental health, I feel great. I have energy. I'm exercising. I'm going to school full time. I'm working. I also have a lot of other stressors in my life, but I'm able to manage, and I'm able to do it and be happy. I'm not miserable doing all these things. I don't really know how much this L-theanine plays a role in how I'm feeling right now, but I know I feel great, and I know it's something that has the evidence behind it, and I'm going to keep taking it.
I want to talk a little bit about what this does. Like I said, it helps increase your serotonin level, increase your dopamine level, and your Glycine level, but it also increases a protein called brain derived neurotrophic factor, which I talk about a lot in an article here, which helps you learn. Brain Derived Neurotrophic Factor (BDNF) helps your brain adapt and make new connections. It helps you learn, but it also plays a role in mental health, which I talk about in that article. It also increases something called nerve growth factor, which, again, is like BDNF, and helps you make new connections in your brain and within your body. Between all these things, there's a lot of good potential behind L-Theanine use.
“Stress-related symptoms (i.e., depression, anxiety-trait, and sleep) scores decreased and cognitive function (i.e., verbal fluency and executive function) scores improved after four weeks of L-theanine administration. The reduction in sleep quality problems (disturbances in sleep latency, sleep disturbance, and use of sleep medication) was greater in the L-theanine administration compared to the placebo administration.”
It helped with sleep, and it helped with anxiety and depression symptoms. There are some other studies that talk about this as well. But my conclusion is, it's cheap, it's easy to get. I ordered that online on Amazon. I feel great. Don't know how much role it's playing, but there may be people out there who are actually really deficient in this stuff. So a supplement might really help you. It's definitely something to look into. With all supplements, you want to tell your doctor that you're taking it. This is to make sure it doesn't interfere with any other medications that you're taking.
Always be safe. Stay within the dosage range on these. I believe this one has a fairly high dosage range; it's suggested that you take 200 milligrams of L-Theanine at bedtime. That's what I take is the 200 milligrams. This might be an option for you.
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Debunking Myths: The Real Story Behind Invega (Paliperidone)
What it is
Invega (paliperidone) is an antipsychotic medication that belongs to the class of atypical or second-generation antipsychotics. It is used to treat schizophrenia and schizoaffective disorder in adults and adolescents. It is also available as a long-acting injection (Invega Sustenna or Invega Trinza) for maintenance treatment of these conditions.
History
Invega was approved by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in 2006 as an oral tablet for the treatment of schizophrenia. It was the first antipsychotic to be approved for schizoaffective disorder in 2009, both as a monotherapy and as an adjunct to mood stabilizers and/or antidepressants. In 2014, it was approved for the treatment of schizophrenia in adolescents aged 12 to 17 years. Invega is marketed by Janssen Pharmaceuticals, a subsidiary of Johnson & Johnson.
Invega is derived from risperidone, another atypical antipsychotic that was approved in 1993. Invega is the primary active metabolite of risperidone, which means that it is formed when risperidone is broken down by the liver. Invega has a similar chemical structure and mechanism of action as risperidone, but it has some differences in pharmacokinetics (how the drug is absorbed, distributed, metabolized and eliminated by the body) and pharmacodynamics (how the drug interacts with receptors and produces effects in the brain).
Mechanism of Action
Invega works by blocking or modulating various receptors in the brain, especially dopamine and serotonin receptors. Dopamine and serotonin are neurotransmitters that are involved in regulating mood, cognition, perception, motivation and other aspects of mental functioning. In schizophrenia and schizoaffective disorder, there is thought to be an imbalance or dysfunction of these neurotransmitters, leading to symptoms such as hallucinations, delusions, disorganized thinking, mood swings and social withdrawal.
By blocking dopamine receptors, especially D2 receptors, Invega reduces the positive symptoms of schizophrenia, such as hallucinations and delusions. By blocking serotonin receptors, especially 5-HT2A receptors, Invega reduces the negative symptoms of schizophrenia, such as apathy and lack of emotion. By modulating other receptors, such as alpha-adrenergic, histamine and muscarinic receptors, Invega may also have effects on cognition, sleep, appetite and other bodily functions.
Evidence for Use
Invega has been shown to be effective in reducing the symptoms of schizophrenia and schizoaffective disorder in several clinical trials. For example:
- A 6-week randomized controlled trial involving 628 adults with schizophrenia found that Invega was superior to placebo in improving psychotic symptoms, as measured by the Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale (PANSS) ¹.
- A 6-week randomized controlled trial involving 614 adults with schizoaffective disorder found that Invega monotherapy was superior to placebo in improving psychotic and mood symptoms, as measured by the PANSS and the Clinical Global Impression Scale (CGI) ².
- A 6-week randomized controlled trial involving 488 adults with schizoaffective disorder found that Invega adjunctive therapy was superior to placebo adjunctive therapy in improving psychotic and mood symptoms, as measured by the PANSS and the CGI ³.
- A 6-week randomized controlled trial involving 310 adolescents with schizophrenia found that Invega was superior to placebo in improving psychotic symptoms, as measured by the PANSS .
In addition to these short-term trials, Invega has also been studied for its long-term efficacy and safety in preventing relapse or worsening of symptoms. For example:
- A 15-month randomized controlled trial involving 207 adults with schizophrenia found that Invega Sustenna (the long-acting injection form of Invega) was superior to placebo in delaying time to relapse or recurrence of symptoms .
- A 15-month randomized controlled trial involving 334 adults with schizoaffective disorder found that Invega Sustenna was superior to placebo in delaying time to relapse or recurrence of psychotic or mood episodes .
Side Effects/Adverse Reactions/Contraindications
Like any medication, Invega may cause side effects or adverse reactions in some people. Some of the common side effects of Invega include:
- Weight gain
- Increased appetite
- Increased blood sugar
- Increased cholesterol
- Increased prolactin (a hormone that affects breast development and milk production)
- Extrapyramidal symptoms (EPS) such as tremor, stiffness, restlessness, and abnormal movements
- Drowsiness
- Dizziness
- Headache
- Nausea
- Dry mouth
- Constipation
Some of the serious but rare side effects of Invega include:
- Neuroleptic malignant syndrome (NMS), a life-threatening condition that causes fever, muscle rigidity, confusion, and changes in blood pressure and heart rate
- Tardive dyskinesia (TD), a potentially irreversible condition that causes involuntary movements of the face, tongue, and limbs
- Cardiac arrhythmias (irregular heartbeats) or QT prolongation (a condition that affects the electrical activity of the heart)
- Cerebrovascular events (strokes) or transient ischemic attacks (mini-strokes)
- Seizures
- Allergic reactions or hypersensitivity
- Priapism (a prolonged and painful erection that requires medical attention)
- Metabolic syndrome (a cluster of risk factors for diabetes and cardiovascular disease)
Some of the contraindications or reasons to avoid taking Invega include:
- Allergy or hypersensitivity to paliperidone, risperidone, or any of the ingredients in Invega
- Dementia-related psychosis, as Invega may increase the risk of death in elderly patients with this condition
- Breastfeeding, as Invega may pass into breast milk and affect the baby
- Certain medical conditions, such as heart disease, liver disease, kidney disease, low white blood cell count, diabetes, or electrolyte imbalance, as Invega may worsen these conditions or require dose adjustment
Invega may also interact with other medications, supplements, or substances, such as:
- Alcohol or other drugs that affect the central nervous system, such as opioids, benzodiazepines, antihistamines, or antidepressants, as they may increase the risk of drowsiness, dizziness, or impaired judgment
- Antihypertensives or other drugs that lower blood pressure, such as beta-blockers, calcium channel blockers, or diuretics, as they may increase the risk of hypotension (low blood pressure) or fainting
- Anticholinergics or other drugs that affect the muscarinic receptors, such as antihistamines, antidepressants, or antispasmodics, as they may increase the risk of dry mouth, constipation, urinary retention, or blurred vision
- Drugs that affect the metabolism of Invega by the liver enzymes CYP3A4 and CYP2D6, such as ketoconazole, rifampin, fluoxetine, or paroxetine, as they may increase or decrease the levels of Invega in the blood and affect its efficacy or safety
Positives or Pros
Some of the potential benefits or advantages of taking Invega include:
- It is effective in reducing the symptoms of schizophrenia and schizoaffective disorder in adults and adolescents
- It is the first and only antipsychotic approved for schizoaffective disorder as a monotherapy and as an adjunctive therapy
- It has a once-daily dosing regimen that may improve adherence and convenience
- It has a long-acting injection form that may provide more consistent drug delivery and reduce the need for frequent oral doses
- It has a lower risk of EPS and TD than some other antipsychotics
Negatives or Cons
Some of the potential drawbacks or disadvantages of taking Invega include:
- It may cause weight gain and metabolic changes that increase the risk of diabetes and cardiovascular disease
- It may cause increased prolactin levels that may lead to breast enlargement, galactorrhea (milk production), menstrual irregularities, sexual dysfunction, or osteoporosis
- It may cause cardiac arrhythmias or QT prolongation that may be life-threatening in some cases
- It may cause NMS or TD that may be irreversible in some cases
- It may cause sedation or cognitive impairment that may affect driving ability or daily functioning
Conclusion
Invega is an atypical antipsychotic medication that is used to treat schizophrenia and schizoaffective disorder in adults and adolescents. It has been shown to be effective in reducing psychotic and mood symptoms and preventing relapse or recurrence of episodes. However, it also has some side effects and interactions that may require monitoring and management. Therefore, it is important to consult with your doctor before starting or stopping Invega and to follow their instructions carefully. You should also report any unusual or bothersome symptoms to your doctor as soon as possible.
Sources
¹: Davidson M., Emsley R., Kramer M., et al. Efficacy,
safety and early response of paliperidone extended-release tablets (paliperidone ER): results of a 6-week,
randomized placebo-controlled study. Schizophrenia Research. 2007;93(1–3):117–130.
²: Canuso C.M., Lindenm
(1) Invega: Side Effects, Uses, and Dosage - Drugs.com. https://www.drugs.com/invega.html.
(2) INVEGA® for the Treatment of Schizophrenia & Schizoaffective Disorder. https://www.invega.com/.
(3) Paliperidone (Invega) - PsychDB. https://www.psychdb.com/meds/antipsychotics/second-gen-atypical/2-paliperidone.
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