Do Caffeine and L-Theanine Help ADHD? Research-Backed Guide for Parents

Do Caffeine and L-Theanine Help ADHD? Research-Backed Guide for Parents

(and how parents are trying it safely at home)

🧪 The short version from the research

Several small, controlled studies suggest that the combination of caffeine and L-theanine may improve sustained attention, reduce mind-wandering, and support calmer focus in children with ADHD.

In one randomized, double-blind crossover study, children performed better on tests of:

  • sustained attention
  • cognitive flexibility
  • task accuracy

when they took caffeine + L-theanine together compared with:

  • caffeine alone
  • L-theanine alone
  • placebo

A separate brain-imaging study found that this same combination was linked to reduced activity in brain areas associated with distraction and mind-wandering during focus-based tasks.

📌 Important note
These studies are promising but small. This combination is not a medical treatment and long-term pediatric research is still limited.

So why are parents interested?

Parents of children with ADHD are often seeking:

  • supporting focus & school performance
  • minimizing side effects
  • preventing afternoon “crashes”
  • wanting gentler options to explore

And that's why many turn to this unique combination. Research and anecdotes are showing support for:

If you're curious about this combination, sign-up today and save 50% off our new, kid-approved flavor launching Feb 2nd! 

Still want to know more? Keep reading:

Tell me more about Caffeine and L-Theanine

Caffeine
A natural stimulant that may support alertness and attention in small, controlled doses.
More specifically, low-dose caffeine is enough to trigger alertness, but not enough to overwhelm or overstimulate.

Note: It's important to start small and test sensitivity.

L-theanine
An amino acid found in green tea that promotes relaxation without drowsiness and may reduce caffeine-related jitters.

When paired with low-dose caffeine, the combination has been shown to support increased focus and attention. 

How parents are using this safely

Families who explore this combination typically:

  • use very low doses of caffeine
  • introduce it during school mornings or homework time
  • avoid evenings to protect sleep
  • monitor behavior, appetite, and mood
  • discuss it with a pediatrician first
  • pair it with routines, sleep, movement, and therapy supports

This isn’t a cure or substitute for clinical care, but for many it’s a complementary option worth exploring. 

These studies were small and short-term; larger pediatric trials are still needed.

Curious about what other parents are saying? Read real feedback from real families on this combination here.

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