1-2-Go

Product Description

The benefits of Caffeine + L-theanine are now formulated in our 1-2-GO product to provide all the nootropic benefits of Caffeine, L-theanine and Theobromine.

Caffeine + L-Theanine Combination Benefits

• May improve cognitive performance (ref)*
• Promotes benefits of caffeine without unwanted effects (ref)*
• Supports focus and attention (ref)*
• Promotes wakefulness and alertness (ref)*
• L-Theanine is General Recognized As Safe (GRAS) by U.S. FDA (ref)

Theobromine Benefits

• A naturally occurring, mild stimulant responsible for the mood enhancing effects of chocolate (ref)*

1-2-GO Benefits

Caffeine and Theobromine are found naturally combined in cocoa, cacao, and chocolate.  Caffeine, Theobromine and L-Theanine can all be found in some teas (1).

• Caffeine + L-Theanine Combination

By combining L-theanine with caffeine, some of the undesirable side of effects of caffeine use is lessened.  L-Theanine reduces caffeine’s stimulatory effects without modifying the other mechanisms for focus that caffeine offers.  L-Theanine interacts with caffeine by “taking the edge off” and still allows the alertness provided by caffeine to remain (2).

The combination of L-theanine with caffeine also may improve cognitive function (3), may eliminate the blood vessel constriction normally experienced with caffeine (4), and help keep the mind from experiencing wandering, or distraction (5).

The cognitive benefits associated with caffeine in combination with L-Theanine were studied on 50 mg caffeine to 100 mg L-Theanine, so we recommend caffeine to L-Theanine ratio should be 1-part caffeine to 2 parts L-Theanine (6).

• Theobromine

Theobromine is a mood-enhancing compound naturally present in chocolate.  Theobromine is a mild stimulant that interacts with the dopamine pathways in the brain (7).  Theobromine and caffeine are both methylxanthines that stimulate the central nervous system through blocking adenosine receptors (8).  In comparison to caffeine, Theobromine is a much weaker stimulant and only exerts about one-tenth of the effects of other methylxanthines (Review Article Health Benefits of Dark Chocolate).

The combination of caffeine and theobromine in chocolate, cocoa, and cacao is linked to the pleasurable effects and appeal of chocolate.  Theobromine has also shown promise in promoting blood vessel health (9).

1-2-GO Dosage

Pure Nootropics’ 1-2-GO provides 390 mg of a proprietary blend of L-Theanine, Theobromine, and Caffeine per 1 capsule.  Suggested use for adults is 1 capsule by mouth not more than every 4-6 hours, not to exceed more than 4 capsules in 24 hours.

1-2-GO Side Effects

• L-Theanine Side Effects

L-Theanine, regardless of chemical synthesis, biosynthesis, or naturally occurring, is General Recognized As Safe (GRAS) by U.S. FDA.

L-Theanine is very well tolerated and side effects may include headaches and increased sleepiness (10).

Animal research indicates that the No Observed Adverse Effect Level of L-theanine is greater than

4000 mg/kg in rats (10).

(Note:  Due to L-Theanine’s effects on reducing blood pressure, please see the list of possible interactions with pharmaceutical blood pressure medications and herbs/supplements that may occur below.)

Regarding interactions with other medications/herbs/supplements: If you are taking blood pressure medications (antihypertensive medications) to lower blood pressure, be moderately cautious combining those medications with L-Theanine, as evidence in animal research has noted that L-Theanine may lower high blood pressure.  Using L-Theanine and antihypertensive medications may lower blood pressure too much.  Some of these medications include Vasotec (enalapril), Capoten (captopril), Cozaar (losartan), Diovan (valsartan), Norvasc (amlodipine), Cardizem (diltiazem), HydroDiuril (hydrochlorothiazide), Lasix (furosemide), and others).  Please consult with your healthcare practitioner if you are on any blood pressure medications prior to beginning supplementation with L-Theanine (10).

Using Herbs and supplements that lower blood pressure should also be avoided when taking L-Theanine due to the same mechanism of L-Theanine on blood pressure that applies to pharmaceutical medications. Some of these herbs and supplements include casein peptides, cat’s claw, Andrographis, coenzyme Q10, L-arginine, fish oil, lyceum, stinging nettle, and others (10).

If you are taking any stimulant medications, using L-Theanine and the stimulants together may decrease the effectiveness of the prescribed stimulants, some of which include epinephrine, Tenuate (diethylpropion), Lonamin (phentermine), Sudafed (pseudoephedrine), and others (10).

• Caffeine Side Effects

 In moderate doses, caffeine is usually well tolerated in adults and children.  Side effects may include insomnia, restlessness, nervousness, nausea, vomiting, gastric irritation, tachycardia, tremors, quickened respiration, convulsions, headache, agitation, anxiety, chest pain, and irregular heartbeat.  Large doses of caffeine may cause tachycardia, metabolic acidosis, ketosis, and hyperglycemia.  Children and the elderly may experience more adverse effects from caffeine.  Chronic use of large amounts of caffeine may cause tolerance, psychological dependence, and abrupt stopping of caffeine use may cause physical withdrawal symptoms (11).

The lethal dose of caffeine in adults is approximately 10-14 grams per kilogram but fatality has also occurred at lower doses (11).

Caffeine has many pharmaceutical medication and herb interactions.  If you are taking any medications, herbs, or supplements, please consult your healthcare practitioner before beginning a supplementation with caffeine. 

One of the major interactions we note is between ephedrine and caffeine which may cause high blood pressure, stroke, myocardial infarction, seizures and death (11).  If you are taking any medications, herbs, or supplements, please consult your healthcare practitioner before beginning a supplementation with caffeine.

• Theobromine Side Effects

Theobromine is toxic to many animals, but in normal consumption it is safe for humans.  A standard 40 g dark chocolate bar contains about 250 mg of Theobromine (9). Chocolates with higher cocoa/cacao content have more theobromine than milk chocolate.

Higher doses of 50-100 g of cocoa caused sweating, severe headaches, and trembling (12).

Theobromine is very toxic to dogs because they metabolize it so slowly and they can experience theobromine poisoning (13). Please keep 1-2-GO out of the reach of curious pets.

For further information, please see our References Tab above.