What are the Side Effects of Paraxanthine Supplements? Experts Weigh In

Caffeine has its drawbacks, yet 90% of adults consume it daily. From anxiety, restlessness, insomnia, irritability, and the dreaded “crash”, many begin to wonder what alternatives they have. The newest to the scene is a compound called paraxanthine, and while you might not have heard of it, you’re already consuming it every day if you’re one of that 90%.

Within the past year, paraxanthine has been receiving the most attention as an alternative to caffeine, because users have reported that it doesn’t come with ANY of the harsh side effects that caffeine does. No anxiety…no crash…no trouble sleeping if it’s taken later in the day. Even people with caffeine intolerance say that they’re able to take paraxanthine without any jitters or anxiety-ridden issues.

But it does beg the question: Are there any side effects associated with paraxanthine?

What is Paraxanthine? 

Paraxanthine is a metabolite of caffeine. But what does that mean??

Well, when you consume caffeine, it moves through your body and breaks down into three different compounds, into the following percentages.

Paraxanthine - 84%

Theobromine - 12%

Theophylline - 4% 

Now, what’s crazy is that although caffeine use dates back over 1000 years ago, besides the fact that it blocks our adenosine receptors (what makes us sleepy), we actually don’t know a ton about how it really works in the body and why. 

However, what recent research and studies have found is that paraxanthine could be the “hidden gem” and that the other two metabolites (theobromine and theophylline) are the “bag eggs” that bring about the harsh side effects that many experience with caffeine. 

That’s why Prax Gummies eliminate ALL other metabolites and only contain paraxanthine. It’s a way to negate the negative side effects of caffeine and receive all the benefits (and then some!)

Are Paraxanthine and Caffeine the Same Thing?

No, though they are closely related!

Paraxanthine shares many of caffeine’s stimulating properties but with some notable differences.

Because paraxanthine is a metabolite of caffeine, it has a lot of similarities but differs in its chemical composition and effects on our body and mind.

Think about what we discussed before. Paraxanthine is one of three metabolites of caffeine. So it shares many of the same “benefits” and “effects” of caffeine, but caffeine also breaks down into theobromine and theophylline, so paraxanthine doesn’t share all of the same properties. 

Let’s break down how paraxanthine and caffeine are different.

Common Side Effects of Caffeine (Not Paraxanthine)

Anxiety

Caffeine intake can increase feelings of anxiety and jitteriness. The results from this study confirm that caffeine intake is associated with an elevated risk of anxiety in healthy individuals, especially when the intake dose is greater than 400 mg. 

Insomnia

Caffeine can disrupt sleep patterns, leading to difficulties in falling asleep or staying asleep. In fact, Caffeine consumption dropped total sleep time by 45 min and sleep efficiency by 7%. This study proved that caffeine can negatively affect your sleep, especially if taken too late in the day. 

Increased Heart Rate

There is irrefutable evidence that caffeine can cause an increase in heart rate. A study examined a group of individuals and found that consumption at 400 mg daily was shown to significantly impact the autonomic nervous system, raising heart rate over time. It comes down to your personal health and how much you’re consuming. 

Dependence and Withdrawal

Regular caffeine consumption can lead to dependence, and withdrawal symptoms may include headaches, fatigue, and irritability. The crazy part is that even when people have side effects, they still turn to caffeine to give them that extra “boost”. A study details this effect on the body and mind and how some users can’t kick the habit even when they know they should. 

Increased Blood Pressure

Caffeine may cause an increase in blood pressure, especially for those with a high intake. A study here reported that coffee intake around 5 cups per day causes a small elevation in BP (∼2/1 mmHg) when compared to abstinence or use of decaffeinated coffee. 

Caffeine Crash

This type of side effect isn’t felt by everyone and research hasn’t been able to prove why it happens, but those that experience it know the feeling all too well. The general consensus is that when you’re reliant on caffeine and it’s blocking your adenosine receptors, helping you stay awake, that when it wears off, you feel exhausted. Well, that’s exactly what is likely to happen. Your feelings of tiredness are temporarily blocked and eventually it catches up to you. That might be a sign to take a break from caffeine, cut back, or find a better alternative (like Paraxanthine!)

What Are the Side Effects of Paraxanthine?

If you were to ask the internet what the side effects of caffeine were, you’re going to get an answer like this:

It has been less extensively studied than caffeine, but it does have some associated side effects, primarily due to its stimulant properties. You might see some of the side effects listed for paraxanthine (for those sensitive to stimulants) as: anxiety, sleep disturbances, increased heart rate, headaches.

The reason why it spits out that information is because paraxanthine is less studied, so it is wrongfully associated with any side effects of caffeine. 

But if you dig into the studies, like this one, you’ll see that:

Paraxanthine has a shorter half-life and faster clearance from the blood than caffeine, theobromine, and theophylline. It also has less toxic, anxiogenic (anxiety), cardiovascular, and gastrointestinal side effects than caffeine. 

Why does half life matter when it comes to side effects?

When it comes to a shorter half life, that means that it breaks down in the body quicker, taking away the harsh side effects like an interruption in sleep (it doesn’t last as long) or the dreaded crash that many experience.

Read more about our half-life guide to paraxanthine here.

And what about lower toxicity?

The lower toxicity of it is a win across the board when compared to caffeine. As we already know, those who take caffeine are essentially consuming paraxanthine already, but this helps clear up those who may ask, “is Paraxanthine safe?” The answer is yes…more so than caffeine by itself. 

With a less anxiogenic effect than caffeine, that explains why users don’t report feeling those ill effects when they take paraxanthine (and Prax Gummies for that matter) by itself. 

Is paraxanthine safe? Find out in our guide. 

Can paraxanthine exhibit some of the side effects similar to those of caffeine?

It’s possible in some people, but so far, studies report that these side effects are much less common when compared to caffeine consumption.

This is exactly why Prax Gummies remove everything BUT paraxanthine, focusing on the GOOD and eliminating the BAD.

But in case you don’t believe us, we brought in the experts.

What Experts Say About the Side Effects of Paraxanthine, Specifically

We spoke with Dr. Maria Knöbel, Medical Director of Medical Cert UK. Dr. Knöbel is a published GP internationally board-certified in Lifestyle Medicine who has authored peer-reviewed papers, medical text-books, and lectured at Medical Schools. 

Her focus revolves around the nuances of how substances like paraxanthine and caffeine impact health.

Here’s how she compares paraxanthine to caffeine when it comes to their physiological effects: 

“Physiologically, caffeine and paraxanthine influence the body in slightly different ways. Caffeine generally acts as a central nervous system stimulant, increasing alertness and reducing fatigue by blocking adenosine receptors.

This leads to an increased release of neurotransmitters like dopamine and norepinephrine. Moreover, caffeine affects cardiovascular function by elevating heart rate and blood pressure," Dr. Knöbel said. 

"Caffeine’s effects are well-documented and include both positive outcomes, like enhanced cognitive function, and potential drawbacks, such as jitteriness and disrupted sleep patterns," Dr. Knöbel continued.

"Paraxanthine, on the other hand, does not exert the same level of central nervous system stimulation as caffeine. Its impact is more focused on metabolic processes, particularly in how it influences the breakdown of fats.

This makes paraxanthine potentially beneficial for metabolic health, especially in contexts where enhanced fat metabolism is desired. 

However, its reduced impact on adenosine receptors means it might not offer the same immediate cognitive and alertness benefits as caffeine," Dr. Knöbel said.

We also wanted to share a recent study done in 2024 that concluded, pre-workout paraxanthine ingestion improves prefrontal cortex function, attenuates attentional decline, mitigates cognitive fatigue, and improves reaction time and vigilance. 

While it may not act as quickly as caffeine, it has proven to “provides greater improvement in cognitive function than caffeine after performing a 10-km run”. 

Check out our complete guide to caffeine vs paraxanthine here.

Paraxanthine vs. Caffeine: A Side-by-Side Comparison

Is Paraxanthine Safe?

Paraxanthine is a safe alternative to caffeine, has a lower toxicity, and shows promising data for lesser side effects. A study compared both and reported that the findings may actually suggest that paraxanthine could be a safer alternative to caffeine in humans.

To be clear, this study introduced the daily consumption of paraxanthine at 100mg, 150mg, and 185mg PER kilogram of body weight. At 150mg per kg body weight, caffeine reached a toxic level. For paraxanthine, it was 185mg per kg of body weight. That is a substantial difference and why paraxanthine is considered safer than caffeine. 

Now, that type of dose is WAY too much. If you weighed 100 pounds (45 kg), you’d need to consume 6,750mg of caffeine or 8,325mg of caffeine to reach that toxicity level. 

For reference, a typical cup of coffee has just about 100mg.

And at 200mg of Paraxanthine, which is what each Prax Gummy contains, you can feel all the benefits and enjoy with confidence that paraxanthine and Prax Gummies are safe for daily consumption!

We had the chance to speak with Marc Massad, Certified Personal Trainer and a sports and health professional with over 25 years of experience. 

When it comes to trying Paraxanthine for the first time, Marc recommends starting low and slow. 

“While paraxanthine is often associated with improved athletic performance, it's crucial to use it mindfully and in moderation due to its stimulatory effects. A slow and steady approach, beginning with lower dosages and gradually increasing if required and well-tolerated, is the safest way to incorporate paraxanthine into one's lifestyle. Always remember, what works for one might not work for all, and an open dialogue with your health provider is the key to safe and effective supplement use.” 

Experts know that Paraxanthine works and more and more research is starting to show why it’s not only an alternative, but the BETTER option when compared to caffeine.

Wondering about the benefits of paraxanthine? We've got you covered.

From its lower toxicity, lesser side effects, and greater benefits on cognitive health and athletic function, Paraxanthine is getting the respect that it deserves.  

And if you’re ready to try it, say hello to the 1st EVER Paraxanthine gummy.

Not only does each gummy pack 200mg of paraxanthine, but it comes at a cost FAR LESS than your morning cup of coffee. 

But hey, no one here is telling you to ditch coffee if you enjoy it and its part of your morning routine.

We’re just here to tell you that there is FINALLY an alternative that you can supplement into your daily routine.

Whether you’re looking to ditch caffeine altogether, cut down on your consumption, find something that you can take later in the day to fuel your mid-afternoon slump, or even something to boost and support your athletic performance, we’ve got you covered.

Give Prax Gummies a try and let us know how you feel! Fuel Different with Prax!