Theacrine
Purine alkaloid structurally related to caffeine; found in Camellia kucha tea; marketed for energy & focus with less tolerance development than caffeine.
Evidence last reviewed: 04 Apr 2026
- •pregnant or breastfeeding individuals
- •those sensitive to stimulants
- •people with anxiety disorders
Current evidence suggests theacrine may improve cognitive performance and subjective feelings of energy and focus, particularly when combined with caffeine. However, the studies have small sample sizes and low strength, indicating a need for more rigorous research.
Subjective energy, alertness, & focusHealthy young adults (n=20) · RCT (double-blind, crossover)Low
Trends for higher self-reported attentiveness, alertness, focus, & energy with theacrine-containing supplement vs. caffeine & placebo; no significant differences on objective cognitive tests (trail making, digit symbol, reaction time).
Cognitive performance & reaction time (combined with caffeine)Male e-gamers (n=50) · RCT (randomized crossover)Low
Caffeine (125 mg) + TeaCrine (50 mg) + Dynamine (75 mg) combination improved Flanker inhibitory control & Psychomotor Vigilance Task reaction time vs. placebo; theacrine's isolated contribution is unclear.
Clean Stimulant Focus Stack
Supports alertness with lower jitter risk than caffeine.
Forms & usage▾
Take 50 mg of theacrine once daily, ideally 30 minutes before activities requiring focus.