A Japanese study claims that just a little green tea can sharpen your thinking and help you slip into a “flow state”—that sweet spot where you’re fully absorbed, time melts away, and your performance peaks.

Why tea is getting a second look

Coffee might keep you awake, but it can also crank up anxiety and jitters. That’s one reason the market for coffee alternatives is booming, from herbal blends to mushroom “adaptogen” drinks—though many come with more marketing than science.

Tea, on the other hand, has L-theanine, an amino acid that seems to smooth out caffeine’s rough edges. Research shows it can improve performance on timed tasks and reduce pressure, while other studies suggest benefits for mood and focus.

Inside the experiment

In this new study—funded, it should be noted, by green tea producers—male participants were split into three groups: no drink, water, and green tea. They tackled an arithmetic challenge and a cognitive flexibility test. Those who drank green tea performed better on both and were more likely to hit that flow state.

One big caveat? There was no placebo tea to match the flavor without the active ingredients, which makes the results less robust. And the choice to exclude women, based on assumed physiological differences, is questionable science at best.

Why your workday needs more than tea

Sipping green tea might help you cut down on coffee and get a mild boost, but it’s not a magic bullet for burnout. Real, lasting performance gains come from better working conditions, a sense of purpose, and an environment that supports creativity and autonomy.

The bottom line: enjoy your tea, but don’t expect it to fix problems that really need systemic change.