Valerian root vs L-theanine
On Reddit, owners rate L-theanine higher overall (3.8 vs 3.4). Scores summarize self-reported experiences and are not evidence that either will work for you.
| Valerian root | L-theanine | |
|---|---|---|
| Type | capsules or tea | capsules |
| SnoozeVerdict score | 3.4 | 3.8 |
| Owner sentiment | 3.5 | 3.6 |
| Recommendations | 2.5 | 3.4 |
| Tolerability | 4.0 | 4.4 |
| Owner comments | 111 | 333 |
| Rated comments | 52 | 173 |
| Unwanted effects reported | 25% | 14% |
| Top praise | Taste & form, Dose & timing | Dose & timing, Calming |
| Top complaints | Side effects, Morning grogginess | Side effects, Dose & timing |
By sleep problem
| Context | Valerian root | L-theanine |
|---|---|---|
| Falling asleep | 5 of 8 positive | 23 of 27 positive |
| Staying asleep | Too few comments | 10 of 11 positive |
| Morning grogginess | 0 of 7 positive | 3 of 15 positive |
| Deep sleep | Too few comments | 15 of 16 positive |
| Anxiety at night | Too few comments | 6 of 8 positive |
| Vivid dreams | 2 of 3 positive | 1 of 4 positive |
Read our herbal sleep aid guide. Our sleep supplement shortlists group top-rated options by what people report. For the full picture, see our sleep supplement ratings built from Reddit owner comments.
What owners say about Valerian root
4/5“What really helped me were patches based on melatonin and valerian..”
5/5 Taste & form“Lifelong insomniac, I use valerian tea occasionally.”
4/5 Taste & form“When I've had jet lag I've found valerian tincture helps me get to sleep.”
What owners say about L-theanine
4/5 Falling asleep fasterTaste & form“I've been taking l-theanine for like 8 years now, no side effects, withdrawls when I stop, or anything negative from it at all.”
4/5 Taste & form“I also recommend breaking 200mg pills into quarters, and try taking l-theanine with it.”
4/5 Deeper sleep“You're not gonna feel anything like L-theanine, glycinate is so subtle I forgot I took it until I realized I slept through the night without waking up at 3am.”
More detail: Valerian side effects · L-theanine side effects · L-theanine dosage and timing
Talk to a doctor or pharmacist before switching or combining supplements, particularly if you take other medicines.