Hacker Newsnew | past | comments | ask | show | jobs | submitlogin

"L-theanine is a structural analog of L-glutamate and L-glutamine"

Does that mean that you could get the same effect from consuming MSG?



Glutamate doesn't have any psychoactive effects because it doesn't cross the blood-brain barrier (to a significant extent). You are correct that theanine and glutamate in theory should have a similar effect on receptors, but receptor activity is only half the story. Other factors like transport and metabolism are important too. For example amphetamine and phenethylamine are structurally very similar, but will have a vastly different effect on your body.




Guidelines | FAQ | Lists | API | Security | Legal | Apply to YC | Contact

Search: