Wellness

Ask Susan: Caffeine, L-Theanine, and Nerd Alert

Ask Susan: Caffeine, L-Theanine, and Nerd Alert

Ask Susan: Caffeine, L-Theanine, and Nerd Alert

Over the course of her research and development career, Susan Beck has produced over 300 evidence-based products for the dietary supplement, nutraceutical, functional food/beverage, and cosmeceutical industries. Before joining goop to lead our product development, she spent time working for the largest food company in the world. Susan holds a PhD in nutritional science and a master’s degree in traditional Chinese medicine. She’s also an acupuncturist and a nutritionist.

Our head of product development, Susan Beck, PhD, has a passion for—wait for it—science and research. And especially for figuring out how data-backed natural ingredients can enhance our lives. That’s why Beck is the mind behind our line of nutritional soft chews: Nerd Alert, Knock Me Out, and Perfect Attendance. She developed each one to target a common need. And then she made them all delicious. Like Nerd Alert: a café au lait–flavored chew that perks us up and maybe adds as much bliss to our day as our morning cup of coffee.

A Q&A with Susan Beck, PhD

Q
Why did you want to make Nerd Alert?
A

As much as we all love the energy bump that coffee provides, that jolt of caffeine can often leave us feeling a little unbalanced. Too much coffee can wind us up so much that it actually slows us down, productivity-wise. We were looking for something better. How could we get that same energy but stay focused and mellowed out? We developed Nerd Alert to help out.


Q
What’s in it?
A

Often, in research, we look at one ingredient at a time. That helps us isolate the direct effects of a compound, but it also limits what we know about different ingredients in combination. For Nerd Alert, we combined caffeine and L-theanine, which have been studied together with exciting results. These two nootropics (cognitive enhancers) have a fascinating synergy.

You’re most likely familiar with the effects of caffeine. It’s known for energy and alertness, but it is oftentimes accompanied by an “edgy” feeling. You’re probably less acquainted with L-theanine. It’s an amino acid found in tea and known for its calming effects. L-theanine in combination with caffeine is the perfect recipe for focus.

Studies have shown that a combination of caffeine and L-theanine improves attention, accuracy, and alertness on cognitive tests better than either ingredient alone. And they’re also fast-acting. Studies show best results in the first one to two hours after taking them. We use a special type of theanine called Suntheanine, which is produced via a patented process for improved purity and greater efficacy.


Q
What can we expect when we take it?
A

You can expect focused energy and mental clarity. But it’s important to keep your own coffee sensitivity in mind. A serving of two Nerd Alert chews has as much caffeine as a cup of coffee, so if you’re not a regular coffee drinker, start with one and work your way up to two.

These statements have not been evaluated by the FDA. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.