TeaCrine
Also known as: Theacrine, 1,3,7,9-tetramethyluric acid, Patented theacrine
This ingredient is classified as unclassified risk.
Safety Profile
Information not yet available for this ingredient profile.
Interactions
Information not yet available for this ingredient profile.
Evidence and Scientific Findings
Ingredient Overview
TeaCrine is a branded form of theacrine, a purine alkaloid structurally similar to caffeine. Produces stimulant-like effects with less rapid tolerance. Well tolerated up to 300 mg/day. May potentiate caffeine effects unpredictably. Insomnia, anxiety, and elevated heart rate possible at high doses. Avoid in pregnancy and cardiac conditions.
Biological and Chemical Classification
Information not yet available for this ingredient profile.
Mechanism of Action
Information not yet available for this ingredient profile.
Clinical Evidence of Effectiveness
Information not yet available for this ingredient profile.
Pharmacokinetics
Information not yet available for this ingredient profile.
Recommended Dosage
Information not yet available for this ingredient profile.
SETI — Scientific Evidence Transparency Index
Executive Summary — Ingredient Assessment
- 9 studies reviewed
- 0 high-quality studies (meta-analysis or RCT)
- Main clinical benefit observed: Stimulants
- Evidence consistency: High consistency across studies (100%)
- No significant safety signals identified in the reviewed literature.
The available scientific evidence for TeaCrine indicates notable safety signals that warrant caution. Use should be considered carefully and monitored, particularly in sensitive populations or alongside other medications.
Total SETI Score
High risk| Evidence quality | 9/40 |
| Evidence consistency | 20/20 |
| Safety signals | 2/20 |
| Study recency | 10/10 |
| Evidence transparency | 10/10 |
Evidence Summary
- 9 studies reviewed
- 0 high-quality studies (meta-analysis or systematic review)
- 0 studies identified benefits or no safety concern (GREEN)
- 9 studies reported limited or advisory safety evidence (YELLOW)
Evidence Policy
Only peer-reviewed scientific literature indexed in PubMed or comparable databases is included in this evaluation. Commercial websites, blogs, and marketing materials are excluded. All references include direct traceable links to source documents.
Last updated: 06 აპრ 2026, 12:12
Evidence Distribution
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Observational / other LOW evidence YELLOWA Combination of Caffeine, TeaCrine, and Dynamine Improves the Neurophysiological and Performance Measures of Electronic (E)-Gamers. ↗Evans C et al.. A Combination of Caffeine, TeaCrine, and Dynamine Improves the Neurophysiological and Performance Measures of Electronic (E)-Gamers.. Cureus. 2023. PMID:37772230.PMID 37772230 ↗Journal CureusYear 2023Study type Observational / otherEvidence strength LOW evidencePubMed link https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/37772230/
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Observational / other LOW evidence YELLOWA Combination of Caffeine, TeaCrineu00ae (Theacrine), and Dynamineu00ae (Methylliberine) Increases Cognitive Performance and Reaction Time Without Interfering With Mood in Adult Male… ↗Tartar JL et al.. A Combination of Caffeine, TeaCrineu00ae (Theacrine), and Dynamineu00ae (Methylliberine) Increases Cognitive Performance and Reaction Time Without Interfering With Mood in Adult Male Egamers.. Cureus. 2021. PMID:35103121.PMID 35103121 ↗Journal CureusYear 2021Study type Observational / otherEvidence strength LOW evidencePubMed link https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/35103121/
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Observational / other LOW evidence YELLOWDevelopment of a liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) method for characterizing caffeine, methylliberine, and theacrine pharmacokinetics in humans. ↗Wang YH et al.. Development of a liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) method for characterizing caffeine, methylliberine, and theacrine pharmacokinetics in humans.. J Chromatogr B Analyt Technol Biomed Life Sci. 2020. PMID:32829142.PMID 32829142 ↗Journal J Chromatogr B Analyt Technol Biomed Life SciYear 2020Study type Observational / otherEvidence strength LOW evidencePubMed link https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/32829142/
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Observational / other LOW evidence YELLOWSafety of Short-Term Supplementation with Methylliberine (Dynamine(u00ae)) Alone and in Combination with TeaCrine(u00ae) in Young Adults. ↗VanDusseldorp TA et al.. Safety of Short-Term Supplementation with Methylliberine (Dynamine(u00ae)) Alone and in Combination with TeaCrine(u00ae) in Young Adults.. Nutrients. 2020. PMID:32121218.PMID 32121218 ↗Journal NutrientsYear 2020Study type Observational / otherEvidence strength LOW evidencePubMed link https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/32121218/
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Observational / other LOW evidence YELLOWThe effects of a caffeine-like supplement, TeaCrineu00ae, on muscular strength, endurance and power performance in resistance-trained men. ↗Cesareo KR et al.. The effects of a caffeine-like supplement, TeaCrineu00ae, on muscular strength, endurance and power performance in resistance-trained men.. J Int Soc Sports Nutr. 2019. PMID:31660991.PMID 31660991 ↗Journal J Int Soc Sports NutrYear 2019Study type Observational / otherEvidence strength LOW evidencePubMed link https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/31660991/
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Observational / other LOW evidence YELLOWThe effects of TeaCrineu00ae and caffeine on endurance and cognitive performance during a simulated match in high-level soccer players. ↗Bello ML et al.. The effects of TeaCrineu00ae and caffeine on endurance and cognitive performance during a simulated match in high-level soccer players.. J Int Soc Sports Nutr. 2019. PMID:30999897.PMID 30999897 ↗Journal J Int Soc Sports NutrYear 2019Study type Observational / otherEvidence strength LOW evidencePubMed link https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/30999897/
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Observational / other LOW evidence YELLOWAssessment of the Drug-Drug Interaction Potential Between Theacrine and Caffeine in Humans. ↗He H et al.. Assessment of the Drug-Drug Interaction Potential Between Theacrine and Caffeine in Humans.. J Caffeine Res. 2017. PMID:28875060.PMID 28875060 ↗Journal J Caffeine ResYear 2017Study type Observational / otherEvidence strength LOW evidencePubMed link https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/28875060/
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Observational / other LOW evidence YELLOWA Two-Part Approach to Examine the Effects of Theacrine (TeaCrineu00ae) Supplementation on Oxygen Consumption, Hemodynamic Responses, and Subjective Measures of Cognitive and… ↗Ziegenfuss TN et al.. A Two-Part Approach to Examine the Effects of Theacrine (TeaCrineu00ae) Supplementation on Oxygen Consumption, Hemodynamic Responses, and Subjective Measures of Cognitive and Psychometric Parameters.. J Diet Suppl. 2017. PMID:27164220.PMID 27164220 ↗Journal J Diet SupplYear 2017Study type Observational / otherEvidence strength LOW evidencePubMed link https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/27164220/
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Observational / other LOW evidence YELLOWSafety of TeaCrineu00ae, a non-habituating, naturally-occurring purine alkaloid over eight weeks of continuous use. ↗Taylor L et al.. Safety of TeaCrineu00ae, a non-habituating, naturally-occurring purine alkaloid over eight weeks of continuous use.. J Int Soc Sports Nutr. 2016. PMID:26766930.PMID 26766930 ↗Journal J Int Soc Sports NutrYear 2016Study type Observational / otherEvidence strength LOW evidencePubMed link https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/26766930/
Score Transparency
0 of 10 approved references (score saturates at 10). More peer-reviewed studies = stronger evidence base.
Method: Q = number of approved references ÷ 10 (capped at 1.0)
Limited — mostly case reports or animal studies
Method: L = mean study-level weight across approved references. Level 1 (meta-analysis / systematic review) = 1.0; Level 2 (RCT) = 0.8; Level 3 (cohort/case-control) = 0.6; Level 4 (case report) = 0.4; Level 5 (animal / in-vitro) = 0.2.
Mixed or neutral — roughly equal benefit and risk signals
Method: D = (sum of risk-scored references − sum of benefit-scored references) ÷ total evidence score, then scaled from [−1, 1] to [0, 1]. 0.0 = pure benefit; 0.5 = neutral; 1.0 = pure risk.
One or more monitoring-level safety signals active
Method: S = 0.5 (neutral baseline) + sum of active signal severity deltas ÷ 10. Severity deltas: Critical = +2.0, High = +1.5, Moderate = +1.0, Low = +0.5. Capped at 1.0.
Final GIRI Score for TeaCrine. Risk level thresholds: Low 0–3.0 · Moderate 3.0–5.5 · High 5.5–7.5 · Critical 7.5–10.
Full methodology & data sources
The GIRI Score is computed entirely from structured data — no editorial scoring or subjective weighting is applied at any step.
- References: Only approved references are counted. Each reference is assigned an evidence level (L1–L5) and a direction (risk / neutral / benefit) by the reference manager or AI classifier.
- Safety Signals: Sourced from regulatory agencies (FDA, EMA, Health Canada, TGA, and others) and pharmacovigilance databases. Only active signals count toward the score.
- Formula version: GIRI Score v3.7.0 — Q × L × D × S × 10.
- Limitations: The score reflects published evidence and recorded signals as of the last update date. It is not a clinical risk assessment and should not replace advice from a qualified healthcare professional.
Risk Level Classification
Based on available regulatory signals and scientific evidence, this ingredient presents a moderate safety concern. Caution is advised, particularly at high doses or in sensitive populations.
0–3.0
3.0–5.5
5.5–7.5
7.5–10
The score pin shows exactly where this ingredient falls on the fixed risk scale.
What drove the Moderate classification for TeaCrine
A score of 3.5 places this ingredient in the Moderate band. Thresholds: Low 0–3.0 · Moderate 3.0–5.5 · High 5.5–7.5 · Critical 7.5–10.
0 approved references.
Limited — mostly case reports or animal studies (Level 4–5).
Neutral or mixed — benefit and risk signals roughly balanced.
No active signals — S component is at neutral baseline (0.5), contributing no extra risk weight.
No major regulatory restrictions or advisories recorded across monitored jurisdictions (FDA, EMA, Health Canada, TGA, and others).
How are the Low / Moderate / High / Critical thresholds defined?
The four risk levels are fixed score bands. A score is assigned to exactly one level based on where it falls:
| Level | Score | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| LOW | 0.0 – 2.9 | Sparse or predominantly beneficial evidence. No active safety alerts. |
| MODERATE | 3.0 – 5.4 | Mixed signals — some risk alongside benefit. Caution at high doses or in sensitive groups. |
| HIGH | 5.5 – 7.4 | Multiple studies or regulatory alerts documenting adverse effects. Professional oversight recommended. |
| CRITICAL | 7.5 – 10 | Regulatory restrictions in one or more major jurisdictions. Serious documented harm. Avoid without specialist supervision. |
Thresholds are fixed constants (GIRI_Score_Utils::LEVEL_THRESHOLDS). They do not change per ingredient and are never subject to editorial adjustment.