A bit of background: I've been dealing with general anxiety disorder for most of my life, as well as on and off depression (more on than off). I've discovered non-medicinal ways to help calm down, but the past 2 years it's seemed to get worse. I have been trying meditation and journaling as well as seeing my therapist weekly.
I remembered seeing this subreddit a few years back and came back to do my research. I decided to give L-Theanine a try, and after a few days it seems to be helping. My intrusive thoughts that often send me into a downward spiral are minimal, and even when I do have those thoughts, they don't really affect me emotionally and I am able to brush them aside. I don't feel more "present" and it still feels kind of clouded in my head like it has for years. But I feel much more calm in my body and mind. My heart rate usually spikes when I'm trying to just observe my body or mind, but that hasn't happened.
The kicker for me is that I just had a long day, had to do a lot of socialization, and it was pretty draining. But I took 1 pill this morning with a cup of coffee and breakfast, and I lasted most of the day feeling very good and energized. It was probably about an hour too much for me, and I just took my second dose of the day while spiraling downwards. I almost immediately perked up, and just called down.
This is the first time in so very long that I have started to feel like a regular person. Like myself. It's given me hope. Thank you, reddit, for helping me along this journey.