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Research · Supplements

Paraxanthine and theacrine

Three small crossover trials of paraxanthine, all funded by its supplier, reported better scores on some cognitive tests. Theacrine raised felt energy and focus in some small trials, but not objective test scores, strength or time-trial performance. At 6 mg/kg, theacrine raised resting blood pressure, and headache and gut discomfort were reported. Long-term human data were not located.

Add to Bio HackChecked 2026-11-09
Status
Sold in dietary supplements and pre-workout products in the US. Neither is FDA-approved for any condition.
Also called
paraxanthine, 1,7-dimethylxanthine, Enfinity, theacrine, 1,3,7,9-tetramethyluric acid, TeaCrine, kucha tea alkaloid, methylliberine, Dynamine, caffeine alternatives
Taken for
energy, focus, alertness, mood, endurance, strength, caffeine without tolerance, fewer jitters

Strong several reviews agree · Moderate one review or consistent trials · Limited one or a few small studies · Untested no study in people, listed with what it rests on

Shown to help2

Reported risks1

What people take it for, and what was found

Shown to help2

Limited

Cognition with paraxanthine

Small trials, all maker-funded, found fewer card-sorting errors and faster memory reaction times than placebo with single doses of paraxanthine.

The numbers and sources
Effect
In 13 healthy adults, 200 mg of paraxanthine reduced card-sorting errors by 4.7 at 6 hours (p 0.04) and improved some short-term memory reaction times compared with placebo [1]. In 12 adults testing 50, 100 and 200 mg, benefits on some tests appeared at each dose and were more consistent at 100 and 200 mg [2]. In 12 trained runners, card-sorting perseverative errors after a 10 km run were 26.9% lower with 200 mg paraxanthine than with 200 mg caffeine (p 0.026). Adding caffeine to paraxanthine gave no extra benefit [3].
Population
Healthy young adults [1][2] and trained runners [3], crossover designs, single doses or 7 days.
Sources
[1], [2], [3]
Caveats
All three trials were funded by Ingenious Ingredients, the supplier of the paraxanthine tested [1][2][3]. Many outcomes were tested, and several results were trends.
Limited

No tolerance with daily use

One sponsor-funded trial found baseline energy, focus and mood ratings stayed stable over 8 weeks of daily theacrine, which the authors read as no habituation.

The numbers and sources
Effect
In 60 healthy adults taking 200 or 300 mg of theacrine daily for 8 weeks, baseline ratings of energy, focus, concentration, anxiety and mood stayed stable over time in all groups, which the authors read as no habituation [13].
Population
60 men and women aged about 22 [13].
Sources
[13]
Caveats
Stable baseline ratings do not show whether the acute response faded. The study was sponsored by Compound Solutions [13].

Mixed results1

Limited

Energy, focus and mood with theacrine

Small trials found mixed results: some found higher energy and focus ratings with theacrine, while one found no change in felt energy or cognition.

The numbers and sources
Effect
In 20 young adults, a theacrine and 150 mg caffeine product raised ratings of alertness, focus and energy more than caffeine alone or placebo. Trail making, digit symbol and reaction time tests did not differ between conditions [4]. In 15 healthy adults, a single 200 mg dose of theacrine raised ratings of energy and concentration and lowered fatigue compared with placebo [5]. In 19 habitual caffeine users, theacrine at 3, 6 and 9 mg/kg did not change felt energy or cognitive performance against placebo [6]. In 20 tactically trained adults, 150 mg caffeine with 150 mg theacrine improved working memory accuracy and reaction times before and after high-intensity intervals against placebo, and some reaction times against 300 mg caffeine [7].
Population
10 men and 10 women, crossover [4]. 15 adults, crossover [5]. 19 healthy adults, crossover [6]. 20 tactical personnel, crossover [7].
Sources
[4], [5], [6], [7]
Caveats
Ratings were subjective. [4] was funded in part by Formulife and the University of Memphis. The cognitive gains in [7] came from a caffeine and theacrine combination, so they cannot be assigned to theacrine alone.

Not shown to help2

Limited

Endurance

Small trials found no clear endurance gain from theacrine or paraxanthine alone, with a trend in one soccer trial.

The numbers and sources
Effect
In 24 high-level soccer players, run time to exhaustion after a 90-minute simulated match trended toward improvement with theacrine and with theacrine plus caffeine compared with placebo. The authors report 27% to 38% longer times [8]. In 19 cyclists, theacrine at 3 or 6 mg/kg did not change 4 km time trial time against placebo [9]. In 20 elite canoe sprinters, theacrine alone did not significantly change 500 m time or 30 second sprint output, while caffeine did [10]. In 14 rowers, 200 mg paraxanthine alone did not clearly change 2,000 m time, while caffeine plus paraxanthine was faster than placebo (Cohen's d 0.30) [11].
Population
Male and female college soccer players, 4 crossover sessions [8]; trained cyclists [9]; elite male canoe sprinters [10]; male university rowers [11].
Sources
[8], [9], [10], [11]
Caveats
The soccer result was described as a trend, and that trial was funded by Compound Solutions, which sells TeaCrine [8]. All four trials were small crossovers.
LimitedStudied in men

Strength and power

One small trial found 300 mg of theacrine did not change strength, reps or power in resistance-trained men.

The numbers and sources
Effect
In 12 resistance-trained men, 300 mg of theacrine did not change one-rep max, reps to failure or power in the bench press and squat compared with placebo. Only 300 mg of caffeine raised perceived energy and motivation [12].
Population
12 resistance-trained men, crossover [12].
Sources
[12]
Caveats
One small trial, funded by Compound Solutions [12].

Doses studied

Paraxanthine trials used single or 7-day doses of 50 to 200 mg [1][2][3]. Theacrine trials used single doses of 200 to 300 mg [5][12], 200 or 400 mg a day for 7 days [5], and 200 or 300 mg a day for 8 weeks [13]. Newer single-dose trials used 3 to 9 mg/kg of theacrine [6][9] and 200 mg of paraxanthine [11].

Risks

Reported risks1

Limited

Blood pressure and side effects at higher theacrine doses

Small trials found higher blood pressure at 6 mg/kg of theacrine, with reports of gut discomfort, a felt fast heartbeat, dizziness and headache.

The numbers and sources
Effect
At 6 mg/kg, theacrine raised resting systolic and diastolic blood pressure against placebo. After 3 or 6 mg/kg, participants reported gastrointestinal discomfort, a feeling of fast heartbeat, dizziness, headache, head pressure and hand tremor [9]. At 3 to 9 mg/kg, salivary cortisol was higher than on placebo at 120 and 180 minutes, with no change in heart rate or blood pressure [6].
Population
19 cyclists [9]; 19 healthy adults [6].
Sources
[9], [6]
Caveats
Single doses in small crossover trials. The abstract of [9] does not give side effect rates.

Checked, no increase found2

Limited

Safety markers and side effects in short trials

Small trials, all supplier-funded, found heart rate, blood pressure and blood markers within normal limits at up to 300 mg of theacrine or 200 mg of paraxanthine.

The numbers and sources
Effect
Over 8 weeks at up to 300 mg a day, theacrine left heart rate, blood pressure, lipids, blood counts and liver, kidney and immune markers within normal limits, with no group differences [13]. In 125 adults taking methylliberine with or without theacrine for 4 weeks, heart rate, systolic blood pressure and QTc changed over time in all groups, and some blood markers changed by small amounts. The authors judged none clinically significant [14]. Over 7 days, paraxanthine at 50 to 200 mg did not change clinical chemistry or reported side effects compared with placebo [2].
Population
60 adults [13], 125 adults [14], 12 adults [2].
Sources
[13], [14], [2]
Caveats
All trials were short and funded by the ingredient suppliers [2][13][14]. No long-term human data were located.
Limited

Paraxanthine toxicity tests in rats

Animal studies only: synthetic paraxanthine showed no genotoxicity, and rats had no toxic effects at up to 300 mg/kg a day for 90 days.

The numbers and sources
Effect
Synthetic paraxanthine showed no mutagenicity or genotoxicity in standard tests. The oral LD50 in rats was 1,601 mg/kg. No toxic effects appeared at up to 300 mg/kg a day for 90 days [15].
Population
Animal and in vitro [15].
Sources
[15]
Caveats
Animal data cannot show human risk. The tests used the manufacturer's ingredient, Enfinity [15].

Claims tested and not found

  1. That theacrine improves strength or power. One-rep max, reps to failure and power did not differ from placebo in trained men [12].
  2. That a theacrine product improves objective cognitive test scores. Trail making, digit symbol and reaction time did not differ from caffeine or placebo [4].
  3. That theacrine improves endurance or sprint performance. Cycling time trial and canoe sprint performance did not differ from placebo [9][10].

Sources

  1. Yoo C, Xing D, Gonzalez D, et al. Acute Paraxanthine Ingestion Improves Cognition and Short-Term Memory and Helps Sustain Attention in a Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled, Crossover Trial. Nutrients. 2021. https://doi.org/10.3390/nu13113980
  2. Xing D, Yoo C, Gonzalez D, et al. Dose-Response of Paraxanthine on Cognitive Function: A Double Blind, Placebo Controlled, Crossover Trial. Nutrients. 2021. https://doi.org/10.3390/nu13124478
  3. Yoo C, Xing D, Gonzalez DE, et al. Paraxanthine provides greater improvement in cognitive function than caffeine after performing a 10-km run. Journal of the International Society of Sports Nutrition. 2024. https://doi.org/10.1080/15502783.2024.2352779
  4. Kuhman D, Joyner K, Bloomer R. Cognitive Performance and Mood Following Ingestion of a Theacrine-Containing Dietary Supplement, Caffeine, or Placebo by Young Men and Women. Nutrients. 2015. https://doi.org/10.3390/nu7115484
  5. Ziegenfuss TN, Habowski SM, Sandrock JE, et al. A Two-Part Approach to Examine the Effects of Theacrine (TeaCrine®) Supplementation on Oxygen Consumption, Hemodynamic Responses, and Subjective Measures of Cognitive and Psychometric Parameters. Journal of Dietary Supplements. 2017. https://doi.org/10.1080/19390211.2016.1178678
  6. Stoke CM, Chandler MC, Madzima TA. Assessing the impact of high theacrine doses on hemodynamic measures, cognitive performance, and physiological stress. Applied Physiology, Nutrition, and Metabolism. 2026. https://doi.org/10.1139/apnm-2025-0380
  7. Lints BS, Harrison AT, Stray-Gundersen SO, et al. A caffeine and theacrine combination improves cognitive performance in tactical personnel under physically fatiguing conditions. Journal of the International Society of Sports Nutrition. 2025. https://doi.org/10.1080/15502783.2025.2536146
  8. Bello ML, Walker AJ, McFadden BA, et al. The effects of TeaCrine® and caffeine on endurance and cognitive performance during a simulated match in high-level soccer players. Journal of the International Society of Sports Nutrition. 2019. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12970-019-0287-6
  9. Vieira-Cavalcante V, Schamne JC, Gonçalves F, et al. Different doses of theacrine do not improve 4 km cycling time trial performance. Applied Physiology, Nutrition, and Metabolism. 2025. https://doi.org/10.1139/apnm-2024-0442
  10. Jovanov P, Vraneš M, Barak O, et al. Theacrine as a novel ergogenic aid: impact on canoe sprint performance. Journal of the International Society of Sports Nutrition. 2025. https://doi.org/10.1080/15502783.2025.2590097
  11. Bingol Diedhiou A, Yildirim UC, Ozdenk S, et al. Comparative effects of caffeine and paraxanthine on rowing performance and sleep quality: a randomized crossover study. Journal of the International Society of Sports Nutrition. 2026. https://doi.org/10.1080/15502783.2026.2650339
  12. Cesareo KR, Mason JR, Saracino PG, et al. The effects of a caffeine-like supplement, TeaCrine®, on muscular strength, endurance and power performance in resistance-trained men. Journal of the International Society of Sports Nutrition. 2019. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12970-019-0316-5
  13. Taylor L, Mumford P, Roberts M, et al. Safety of TeaCrine®, a non-habituating, naturally-occurring purine alkaloid over eight weeks of continuous use. Journal of the International Society of Sports Nutrition. 2016. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12970-016-0113-3
  14. VanDusseldorp TA, Stratton MT, Bailly AR, et al. Safety of Short-Term Supplementation with Methylliberine (Dynamine®) Alone and in Combination with TeaCrine® in Young Adults. Nutrients. 2020. https://doi.org/10.3390/nu12030654
  15. Purpura M, Jäger R, Falk M. An assessment of mutagenicity, genotoxicity, acute-, subacute and subchronic oral toxicity of paraxanthine (1,7-dimethylxanthine). Food and Chemical Toxicology. 2021. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.fct.2021.112579

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