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Theacrine
Theacrine is a stimulant and nootropic belonging to the xanthine class of purine alkaloids. It occurs naturally in cupuaçu and Chinese kucha tea1 and is structurally similar to caffeine,2 with comparable stimulating effects. It also has anti-inflammatory and analgesic effects. In kucha leaves, theacrine is formed from caffeine through a proposed three-step pathway.3
Dosage & Duration
Dosage
Doses are population estimates that vary widely between individuals.
Duration
Subjective Effects
Pharmacology
Pharmacodynamics
Theacrine likely acts as an adenosine receptor antagonist4, although its precise mechanism remains uncertain.5 In animal studies, pretreatment with theacrine reduced the suppression of movement caused by selective A1 and A2A receptor agonists. Experiments with selective D1 and D2 receptor antagonists also indicate that dopamine receptors partly mediate its behavioural effects.
Pharmacokinetics
Theacrine has a reported half-life of 30-33 hours.
Interactions
An unlisted combination is an unknown one, not a safe one. Check a dedicated combination chart before mixing.
Tolerance
Tolerance timelines are rules of thumb, not exact schedules, and vary widely between individuals and use patterns.
Harm Potential
Addiction & Dependence
Psychological
Theacrine showed no habit-forming effects in healthy humans taking up to 300 mg/day for eight weeks.
Toxicity
| Species | Route | Value |
|---|---|---|
| Animal | – | 810 mg/kg |
History & Culture
Legality
References
Source Pages
Citations
Further Reading
Article Status
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