[1][2] It shows anti-inflammatory and analgesic effects and appears to affect adenosine signalling in a manner similar to caffeine.

[2][3] In kucha leaves, theacrine is synthesized from caffeine in what is thought to be a three-step pathway.

The exact mechanism of action of theacrine is uncertain, as no binding affinities have been published.

[5] Theacrine has demonstrated clinical safety and non-habituating effects in healthy humans over eight weeks of daily use at up to 300 mg/day.

[6] Moreover, there was no evidence of the tachyphylaxis typical of neuroactive agents like caffeine and other stimulants.