Methylliberine: Is This Alkaloid a Good Caffeine Substitute?

Today’s world often demands continuous focus and boundless energy, which is why many of us turn to the familiar embrace of caffeine to fuel our productivity. However, this reliance on caffeine comes at the cost of experiencing jitters, anxiety, and that much-familiar crash after the effects of the coffee wear off.

Drinking too much coffee can mess with your sleep, leaving you even more tired. It’s like downing a fizzy drink to quench your thirst, only to end up feeling more thirsty. So, you enter a vicious cycle of replacing sleep with caffeine, which isn’t sustainable.

While searching for a better alternative, scientists have studied various compounds that could act as a caffeine substitute. One of them is methylliberine, an alkaloid that has the potential to provide the same energy and focus-promoting benefits without the downsides of caffeine.

In this article, we want to discuss the effects and mechanisms of methylliberine, compare it to caffeine and theacrine, and see why we’ve included it in our MTE formulation.

What Is Methylliberine?

Methylliberine is a purine alkaloid with a chemical structure similar to caffeine and theacrine. It is found in various coffee plants, including the kucha tea plant.

Methylliberine is a relatively new compound discovered after the commercial success of theacrine. It is classified as a nootropic because of its potential to improve cognitive performance.

The good thing about methylliberine is that it doesn’t raise your blood pressure or heart rate, which is why it isn’t considered a stimulant.

After a successful oral toxicity study in mice, it was granted a new dietary ingredient (NDI) status in 2019. Since then, several studies have examined the benefits and downsides of this alkaloid.

Preliminary research suggests that methylliberine may offer cognitive and mood-enhancing benefits without some of the negative side effects associated with caffeine, such as jitters and anxiety. Users and supplement manufacturers are particularly interested in its potential to provide sustained energy and focus.

Methyllliberine is available in the form of Dynamine® – a supplement created by a nutraceutical company called Compound Solutions, Inc. 

What Happens When You Consume Methylliberine?

Methylliberine seems like a good coffee substitute because it offers several benefits:

1. Quick and Clean Energy

People often say methylliberine gives them a nice, steady energy kick without the jittery feeling you sometimes get from too much coffee. It’s like a smooth pick-me-up for those looking to stay energized.

Because of a different chemical structure, methylliberine gets metabolized quicker than caffeine. As a result, you can feel its effects in as little as 15 minutes.

2. Better Focus and Concentration

One of the main reasons we drink coffee is to stay at least somewhat mentally sharp so that we can focus on our work. Methyllberine can help because people using this supplement report heightened focus and improved concentration.

A 2021 study examining the effects of caffeine, theacrine, and methylliberine on mood discovered that these alkaloids can help improve cognition and gaming performance. The results showed improved processing speed, reaction time, and perceived alertness.

3. Mood Boost

Methyllberine interacts with neurotransmitters associated with mood regulation, which could contribute to a more positive mental state. That’s why some people report feeling happier and more content when taking this nootropic.

How Does Methylliberine Work?

Methylliberine interacts with certain neurotransmitters and receptors, which makes us feel more alert and focused. While the exact mechanisms are still unknown, methylliberine probably modulates the sensitivity of adenosine receptors (similarly to caffeine) and regulates dopamine levels (like theacrine).

Adenosine is a messenger that makes us feel sleepy. Methylliberine lowers the sensitivity of these receptors and prevents adenosine from binding to them, making us more alert.

Methylliberine may also impact other neurotransmitter systems. Neurotransmitters such as dopamine and norepinephrine are crucial for mood, focus, and energy regulation. Methylliberine’s interaction with these systems could contribute to its reported effects on cognitive function and mood.

The Link Between Caffeine, Theacrine, and Methylliberine

Using caffeine, theacrine, and methylliberine together may bring additional benefits and mitigate negative side effects. Although the researchers still aren’t sure about the exact mechanisms of this interaction, multiple studies have confirmed it.

For example, a 2022 study discovered that using methylliberine increased the half-life of caffeine. This decreased clearance could prolong the energy-promoting effects, leading to an extended boost.

A 2023 article concluded that combining caffeine, theacrine, and methylliberine successfully improved cognitive performance among gamers without increasing the risk of headaches or anxiety.

Interestingly, while caffeine alone can improve cognitive performance and alertness in gamers, adding theacrine and methylliberine lessens negative side effects like jitters. 

Are There Side Effects to Using Methylliberine?

At this time, methylliberine is a relatively new compound that doesn’t have too many safety studies behind it. However, current trials have determined it is a safe supplement without major adverse side effects.

For example, a 2020 safety trial determined that four weeks of supplementation with methylliberine didn’t negatively affect health biomarkers. Minor changes were found in certain biomarkers but weren’t clinically significant. That meant they probably weren’t the result of methylliberine.

Why We’ve Included Methylliberine in MTE Formulation

To create an optimal healthy energy drink powder, we’ve recently added methylliberine to our MTE formulation. Now, each serving of MTE contains 230 mg of the Feel Good Energy blend, which consists of Methylliberine (Dynamine®), Theacrine (TeaCrine®), green tea leaf extract (InnovaTea®), and maca root powder.

The reason why we’ve included it in our formulation is because it acts faster than both caffeine and theacrine. That’s perfect when you need a quick pick-me-up to improve focus and energy.

Methylliberine is crucial for harmonizing the formulation by offsetting the small amounts of caffeine. It ensures that you enjoy the benefits of caffeine without the potential downsides, contributing to a well-rounded and enjoyable energy experience.

Although methylliberine has a short half-life, green tea extract and theacrine provide sustained energy and focus benefits. The result is a balanced, long-lasting energy experience without the abrupt crashes associated with some traditional stimulants.

But MTE offers so much more than energy. This energy drink alternative supports immunity, sleep, anti-inflammation response, focus, and more. Try MTE and discover the true power of methylliberine for energy and focus.