The Nervous System Stack That Helps You Hit Reset Without Knocking You Out
The Calm You’ve Been Missing Lives in This Two-Ingredient Stack
Most people treat stress like a productivity tax—something to push through.
But your nervous system was never designed to stay in high-alert mode all day.
Enter glycine + L-theanine: a simple, safe, science-backed stack that helps your body shift gears—from wired to grounded—without sedation or crash.
For anxious founders, high-performing professionals, or anyone trying to unwind without compromising clarity, this combo is emerging as a go-to parasympathetic reset.
🧠 Why the Parasympathetic System Matters
Your autonomic nervous system has two modes:
- Sympathetic (fight or flight)
- Parasympathetic (rest and restore)
You need both—but most people are stuck in “on” mode.
Symptoms of a stuck sympathetic state include:
- Restless sleep
- Racing thoughts
- Jaw clenching
- Shallow breathing
- Afternoon energy crashes
The glycine + theanine stack nudges the nervous system back into balance, without forcing sedation.
🧪 What Glycine Does
Glycine is a non-essential amino acid that supports:
- GABAergic activity (the brain’s primary calming pathway)
- Thermoregulation (it lowers core body temp, aiding sleep onset)
- Muscle recovery and collagen synthesis
- REM sleep duration and quality
At doses of 2–4g, taken 30–60 minutes before bed, glycine has been shown in human trials to improve subjective sleep quality and reduce next-day fatigue—without impairing cognition.
🌿 What L-Theanine Does
L-Theanine is a naturally occurring compound in green tea. It:
- Promotes alpha brain waves associated with calm alertness
- Buffers glutamate, which is associated with overstimulation
- Boosts GABA and dopamine levels in a stable, non-jittery way
- Has been shown to improve attention under stress
Typical doses range from 100–200mg, taken during the day or pre-bed.
When paired with glycine, it offers a unique profile: calm body, focused mind.
🔬 Why This Combo Works So Well
Together, glycine and theanine support both sides of the “overstimulation coin”:
- Glycine calms the physiological intensity (tension, temp, restlessness)
- Theanine smooths the neurological reactivity (racing thoughts, sensory input)
For those dealing with:
- Sleep disruption
- Evening anxiety
- Post-workout wired-but-tired syndrome
- Or chronic sympathetic dominance
...this is one of the cleanest, most functional stacks available—no scripts, no drowsy fog.
⚠️ When NOT to Use This Stack
- Avoid stacking with benzodiazepines or other sedatives without practitioner supervision
- Those with hypotension or using medications that lower blood pressure should monitor response
- As always, consult your physician before beginning any new supplement regimen
💡 Final Thought
Sometimes the best productivity hack is knowing when to shut it down—gracefully.
This isn’t about sedation. It’s about supporting your body’s natural ability to self-regulate.
📌 This #ToolboxTuesday, try nudging your nervous system back toward balance—with clarity intact.