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Limited evidencePhysical performance

Theacrine

A caffeine-like purine alkaloid pitched as "caffeine without the tolerance." It appears safe for a couple of months at 200-300 mg, but the human trials are few, small, mostly industry-funded, and have not shown it improves performance on its own or adds anything to caffeine.

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What the science says

  • Energy, mood and subjective focus Limited evidence

    An acute trial in young men and women found a theacrine-containing supplement improved subjective energy and reduced fatigue ratings relative to placebo, but the product contained multiple active ingredients, so the effect cannot be attributed to theacrine. Trials of isolated theacrine at 125-300 mg report changes mainly in questionnaire scores rather than objective cognitive tests.

  • Additive benefit with caffeine Limited evidence

    In high-level soccer players, TeaCrine combined with caffeine did not improve endurance or cognitive performance during a simulated match beyond caffeine alone. Pharmacokinetic work shows theacrine slows caffeine clearance, so any perceived synergy may simply be higher caffeine exposure.

  • Non-habituating stimulant effect Limited evidence

    An eight-week study at 200-300 mg/day found no habituation of subjective effects and no adverse changes in heart rate, blood pressure or blood markers. This addresses safety and tolerance, not efficacy: there is no trial showing theacrine outperforms placebo on hard performance endpoints over time.

Dosage & safety

Studied doseHuman studies use 100-300 mg/day, most commonly 200 mg, taken acutely or daily for up to 8 weeks. Products often pair 50-100 mg theacrine with 100-200 mg caffeine; the stimulant effect you feel is likely mostly the caffeine.
SafetyNo clinically significant changes in heart rate, blood pressure, liver or kidney markers were seen at up to 300 mg/day for 8 weeks in healthy young adults. Beyond that duration there are no data. Because theacrine inhibits caffeine metabolism, stacking it with high-dose caffeine can produce more jitteriness, tachycardia and insomnia than expected. Avoid with other stimulants, in cardiovascular disease, anxiety disorders, pregnancy and breastfeeding, and in anyone under 18. Not currently on the WADA prohibited list, but athletes should verify third-party certification since it is usually sold in multi-ingredient pre-workouts.

How to take it

TimingMorning or early afternoon; it is a stimulant and lasts a long time.
With food?With or without food.
Worth knowingIn most pre-workouts the effect you feel is mostly the 100-200 mg of caffeine sitting beside 50-100 mg of theacrine.

Interactions

With medications

  • stimulant medications

    Additive stimulant effects such as tachycardia, anxiety and insomnia. do not combine

With other supplements

  • caffeine

    In a human crossover study caffeine raised theacrine blood levels and exposure, while theacrine did not change caffeine levels; heart rate and blood pressure were unchanged, but the combined stimulant effect is stronger than theacrine alone. treat a caffeine-plus-theacrine product as a bigger dose than the label suggests

Well-established interactions only — this is not a complete list. Always tell your doctor and pharmacist what you take.

Frequently asked questions

Does theacrine work like caffeine without tolerance?

Theacrine showed no habituation of subjective effects over eight weeks at 200-300 mg/day, but the evidence that it improves performance is limited. The human trials are few, small and mostly industry-funded, and none shows theacrine beats placebo on hard performance endpoints.

Is theacrine better than caffeine for performance?

No trial shows it: in high-level soccer players, theacrine plus caffeine did not improve endurance or cognition beyond caffeine alone. In most pre-workouts, the effect you feel is mostly the 100-200 mg of caffeine sitting beside 50-100 mg of theacrine.

How much theacrine per day?

Human studies used theacrine at 100-300 mg/day, most commonly 200 mg, for up to 8 weeks, taken in the morning or early afternoon. There are no safety data beyond 8 weeks.

Is it safe to combine theacrine with caffeine?

Combining raises the stimulant load: caffeine increased theacrine blood levels in a human study, so treat a caffeine-plus-theacrine product as a bigger dose than the label suggests. Avoid theacrine with stimulant medications, in heart disease, anxiety disorders, pregnancy and under 18.

Scientific references

Where to buy

Nutricost, Theacrine as Teacrine®, 60 Capsules (50 mg per Capsule)

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