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What surprised me, what didn’t, what the paraxanthine research actually shows, and where I think MTE fits in a healthy routine.
I wasn’t looking for another energy drink.
I genuinely enjoy coffee: the ritual, the smell, and those first quiet minutes of the morning. After years of working in functional medicine, I’m also skeptical of anything promising “clean energy” as though a powder can erase poor sleep, inadequate nutrition, or chronic stress.
It can’t.
Still, I was curious about MTE (More Than Energy) because it takes a different approach from most energy products. Its stimulant is paraxanthine (the primary metabolite our bodies make from caffeine) paired with L-theanine, saffron, KSM-66® ashwagandha, eleuthero, GABA, maca, spirulina, amaranth, and chicory-root fiber.
I used MTE consistently for a little over a month, averaging about four days per week. It did not replace coffee, turn me into a productivity machine, or make me feel euphoric. What it did was give me a steady, convenient option that I especially appreciated while traveling.
^^ That is the short version of my MTE review.
The longer version is about what we can reasonably say about paraxanthine, what the full formula does and does not tell us, and why “Do I need more energy?” is often the wrong first question.
Coffee vs. MTE
| Question | Coffee | MTE drink mix |
|---|---|---|
| Primary stimulant | Caffeine | Paraxanthine |
| Evidence base | Extensive, including decades of human data | Promising but comparatively small and young |
| Dose transparency | Caffeine varies by bean, serving, and brew | Paraxanthine is inside a 380 mg proprietary blend; the individual dose is not disclosed on the current label |
| Other active compounds | Hundreds of naturally occurring compounds; composition varies | L-theanine, maca, ashwagandha, eleuthero, GABA, saffron, spirulina, and amaranth |
| Sugar | None unless added | No added sugar; sweetened with stevia |
| Fiber | Minimal | 4 grams per packet from chicory root/inulin |
| Ritual | Hard to beat | Pleasant, but different |
| Travel convenience | Depends on access and quality | Excellent |
| My use | Most mornings | About four days per week, especially for travel |
This is not a competition. Coffee has a richer evidence base and a ritual I love. MTE offers consistency and portability. I reach for them in different situations.
What Exactly Is Paraxanthine?
pardon me while I get a bit science-y
Paraxanthine, chemically, 1,7-dimethylxanthine, is not a new molecule. After you consume caffeine, the liver enzyme CYP1A2 converts most of it into paraxanthine. Estimates vary slightly, but roughly 80% to 84% of caffeine’s primary metabolism follows this route. Smaller amounts become theobromine and theophylline (Cornelis & Munafò, 2024; Thorn et al., 2012).
Like caffeine, paraxanthine is a methylxanthine and a nonselective adenosine-receptor antagonist. Adenosine signaling helps build sleep pressure across the day. Blocking A1 and A2A receptors temporarily reduces the perception of fatigue and promotes wakefulness.
Laboratory and animal work suggests paraxanthine may differ somewhat from caffeine in receptor potency and downstream signaling, but those mechanistic differences do not automatically translate into a superior experience or better long-term outcomes in humans (Ferré et al., 2013).
Taking paraxanthine directly also bypasses the initial CYP1A2 step required to turn caffeine into paraxanthine. That is physiologically interesting, especially because CYP1A2 activity varies with genetics, smoking, pregnancy, liver function, and certain medications.
But it is too early to conclude that direct paraxanthine reliably “solves” caffeine sensitivity in slow metabolizers. That specific clinical question has not been adequately tested.
What We Know
- Small randomized human trials suggest 100 to 200 mg of paraxanthine can improve selected measures of vigilance, attention, reaction time, reasoning, and short-term memory over several hours (Xing et al., 2021a, 2021b).
- In 12 trained runners, 200 mg of paraxanthine improved some post-exercise measures of reaction time and cognitive performance relative to placebo or caffeine, but the trial was very small (Yoo et al., 2024).
- In 14 male university rowers, paraxanthine alone did not clearly improve 2,000-meter performance. Caffeine plus paraxanthine produced the clearest performance result, while paraxanthine alone had more favorable subjective sleep outcomes than the caffeine-containing conditions (Bingol Diedhiou et al., 2026).
- An older crossover trial in 12 adults found that both caffeine and paraxanthine increased diastolic blood pressure, epinephrine, and free fatty acids. At 4 mg/kg, their sympathomimetic effects were similar. At 2 mg/kg, caffeine appeared stronger (Benowitz et al., 1995).
- Seven-day paraxanthine trials reported no clinically significant changes in routine blood chemistry or reported side effects. Nonclinical safety testing has not raised genotoxicity concerns at the exposures studied (Xing et al., 2021b; Szlapinski et al., 2023).
What We Still Don’t Know
- Whether paraxanthine is consistently better than caffeine for cognition, mood, or exercise performance in larger and more diverse groups.
- Whether it meaningfully reduces anxiety, jitters, blood-pressure effects, or “crashes” at equivalent real-world stimulant doses.
- Its objective effect on sleep duration, sleep architecture, and next-day functioning. Favorable subjective sleep findings in 14 athletes are interesting, not definitive.
- Long-term safety with daily use over months or years.
- How pregnancy, cardiovascular disease, panic disorder, medication use, and different CYP1A2 or ADORA2A variants change the response.
- Whether tolerance, withdrawal, or dependence differs meaningfully from caffeine.
- Whether results from studies using 100 to 200 mg of isolated paraxanthine apply to MTE, because the current label does not disclose the paraxanthine dose.
- How well the early findings will replicate independently. Several paraxanthine studies used branded ingredients and included authors with industry relationships, which makes independent confirmation especially important.
Research summary: The fairest conclusion is not “paraxanthine is better than caffeine.” It is this: paraxanthine is an active caffeine metabolite with plausible physiology and encouraging early human data, but the comparative and long-term evidence is still thin.
Is Paraxanthine Better Than Caffeine?
Not as a general claim, or at least NOT YET.
Caffeine is imperfect, but it is one of the most studied performance-enhancing substances available. We understand much more about its dosing, benefits, tolerance, sleep disruption, anxiety effects, cardiovascular response, and use in different populations.
Paraxanthine may eventually prove useful for people who dislike how caffeine feels, but “caffeine-free” should not be confused with “non-stimulating.”
That distinction matters. Paraxanthine still antagonizes adenosine receptors. It may still increase blood pressure in some contexts. It may still affect sleep even when a person does not consciously feel wired.
Kate’s Take: Paraxanthine is caffeine-adjacent, not stimulant-free.
If you are sensitive to caffeine, begin cautiously. Do not stack MTE with coffee, pre-workout, or other stimulants the first time you use it.
If you have uncontrolled high blood pressure, an arrhythmia, significant anxiety or panic symptoms, are pregnant or breastfeeding, or take medications with potential stimulant or herb interactions, talk with your clinician first.
My Experience After One Month of MTE
The Effect Felt Steady
I did not feel an overwhelming surge. I simply noticed I was awake, mentally clear, and able to focus.
I prefer that to feeling as though I am operating at 120% for an hour and paying for it later.
That observation is personal, not proof that MTE prevents a crash. I cannot separate the effects of paraxanthine from the rest of the formula, and I did not conduct a blinded comparison.
Still, the steadiness was the most consistent feature of my experience.
I Genuinely Liked the Taste
I tested several flavors, and all were a hit! I gravitated most often to the açaí-huckleberry flavor and looked forward to drinking it.
Taste sounds trivial until it determines whether a supplement becomes part of real life or expires in the back of a cabinet.
Travel Is Where It Earned a Place
Hotel coffee is inconsistent. Airport coffee is expensive. Many canned energy drinks contain doses and ingredient combinations I would not routinely choose.
A packet in my backpack removed one decision from an already chaotic day. It did not erase a poor night’s sleep; it simply made the morning easier.
Clinical pearl: Convenience is a legitimate benefit. It just should not be mistaken for a physiologic necessity.
My Digestion Was Better Than With Canned Energy Drinks
MTE felt gentler on my stomach than traditional energy drinks I have tried. That is a single-person observation, and it may not generalize.
MTE also provides 4 grams of inulin-type fiber per packet. Some people tolerate that well. Others experience gas, bloating, or cramping, especially with irritable bowel syndrome or sensitivity to fermentable fibers.
Coffee is harder to compare because roast, brewing method, milk, timing, and food intake all change the experience.
It Did Not Replace Coffee
Coffee offers warmth, aroma, ritual, and enjoyment.
MTE solves a different problem. I see it as another tool, not an upgrade that makes coffee obsolete.
What About Sleep?
The latest I took MTE was around 3:00 p.m., and I did not notice a change in my sleep.
I still would not use that as evidence that it was harmless to sleep.
Subjective sleep quality and objective sleep physiology are not always the same. Because paraxanthine acts through adenosine signaling, I use the same conservative approach I use with caffeine: earlier is better, and my usual caffeine cutoff is noon.
The 2026 rowing study provides an intriguing signal. Paraxanthine alone produced better subjective sleep-related outcomes than caffeine-containing conditions. But the study included only 14 young male athletes and did not use objective sleep measurement (Bingol Diedhiou et al., 2026).
That is far from enough to promise “no sleep disruption.”
Protecting sleep will always be a better energy strategy than finding out how late I can push a stimulant.
The Rest of the Formula
The current MTE label lists 10 active ingredients, with most amounts hidden inside two proprietary blends.
That makes it impossible to know whether each ingredient reaches the dose used in a positive clinical trial. A branded ingredient is not automatically clinically dosed.
| Ingredient | Intended purpose | Evidence strength | My clinical thoughts |
| Paraxanthine (enfinity®) | Alertness and attention | Emerging | Mechanistically plausible with several small human trials; the dose is not disclosed separately |
| L-theanine | Calm attention | Moderate for acute attention; mixed for stress | Evidence is stronger around 200 mg, alone or with caffeine; MTE’s amount is undisclosed |
| Maca | Vitality and mood | Limited/mixed | Interesting traditional use, but not a reliable acute-energy ingredient |
| KSM-66® ashwagandha | Stress and anxiety support | Moderate, formulation-dependent | Meta-analyses are encouraging, but trials usually use daily dosing for weeks; use thoughtfully with thyroid, autoimmune, liver, pregnancy, or medication considerations |
| Eleuthero | Fatigue and endurance | Limited | Human evidence is inconsistent; avoid assuming “adaptogen” means universally appropriate |
| GABA | Calm and sleep support | Limited | A systematic review found limited evidence for stress and very limited evidence for sleep; oral GABA’s central effects remain debated |
| Affron® saffron, 28 mg | Mood support | Moderate for mood symptoms | This is the one disclosed botanical dose and aligns with some branded-extract research; it is not a substitute for mental-health care |
| Spirulina | Nutrient and antioxidant support | Context-dependent | Nutritious, but the undisclosed amount is likely more relevant as a supporting ingredient than a therapeutic dose |
| Red spinach/amaranth | Nutrient and exercise support | Limited for this use | Plausible food-based support; no good evidence that this blend produces an acute energy effect |
| Chicory root/inulin | Prebiotic fiber | Moderate for bowel and microbiome outcomes | Four grams of fiber is meaningful; helpful for some people and bloating-provoking for others |
Saffron has the most convincing mood-oriented literature in this particular formula. Meta-analyses of randomized trials report improvements in depressive and anxiety symptoms while also noting heterogeneity, publication bias, and limited regional diversity (Marx et al., 2019; Mahmoudi et al., 2026).
That supporting data do not mean one serving of MTE treats depression.
Ashwagandha also has supportive meta-analytic evidence for perceived stress and anxiety, but results vary by extract, dose, duration, and population (Arumugam et al., 2024). Rare liver injury has been reported with ashwagandha products, and it deserves more caution than its casual “adaptogen” label suggests.
For L-theanine, a 2026 meta-analysis found the clearest acute signal for improved choice reaction time at a 200 mg dose, while stress and anxiety findings were less consistent (Gerolymos et al., 2026).
Again, without MTE’s individual amount, we cannot assume dose equivalence.
Kate’s Take on The MTE Formula
I initially appreciated that MTE did not load the formula with a multivitamin’s worth of extra nutrients. That still makes it easier to combine with an individualized supplement plan.
But there is a tradeoff: a streamlined ingredient list is not the same as a transparent formula.
I would prefer to see the exact paraxanthine, L-theanine, ashwagandha, and other active doses printed on the label. Clinicians and consumers should not have to infer whether a product matches the research.
Why I Don’t Take It Every Day
I average about four days per week.
Part of that is because I already drink coffee. Part is because I prefer to use adaptogens intentionally, not automatically.
Ashwagandha can be useful, but it is not appropriate for every person or every season of life.
That does not mean daily use is inherently wrong. It means I have not seen a compelling reason to take this particular combination every day, and long-term paraxanthine-specific data remain limited.
Who I Think MTE Is For
MTE may be worth considering if you:
- Travel frequently and value a consistent, portable option.
- Want an alternative to conventional canned energy drinks.
- Enjoy a flavored drink mix and tolerate inulin and stevia.
- Are curious about paraxanthine and comfortable with an emerging evidence base.
- Want an occasional focus tool rather than a way to override exhaustion.
I would pause—or involve a clinician—if you:
- Are pregnant or breastfeeding.
- Have uncontrolled hypertension, an arrhythmia, panic symptoms, significant insomnia, thyroid disease, autoimmune disease, or liver disease.
- Take medications or supplements that may interact with stimulants, ashwagandha, saffron, or eleuthero.
- Are very sensitive to fermentable fibers.
- Plan to stack it with substantial caffeine or pre-workout.
- Need a fully transparent, individually dosed formula.
I also do not think MTE is the answer if you routinely sleep five hours, skip meals, chronically under-eat, or use stimulants to push through burnout.
Before You Buy an Energy Supplement, Ask:
- Am I sleeping enough, and is my sleep restorative?
- Am I eating enough total energy, protein, and carbohydrates?
- Am I going too long between meals?
- Could iron deficiency, thyroid dysfunction, medication effects, infection, depression, or another medical issue be contributing?
- Am I asking a stimulant to make an unsustainable schedule feel sustainable?
>> If fatigue is new, persistent, worsening, or paired with symptoms such as shortness of breath, chest pain, fainting, unexplained weight change, or heavy menstrual bleeding, the next step is an evaluation (not a stronger energy drink).
“The better question is often not ‘What is the best energy supplement?’ but ‘Why is my energy low in the first place?’” Explore Functional Medicine at The Facility
My Bottom Line: Would I Buy MTE Again?
YES. With qualifications.
I enjoy the taste. It has become one of my favorite travel companions. It felt gentler than most energy drinks I have tried, and I liked the steady experience.
I also think the marketing gets ahead of the science when it implies paraxanthine provides caffeine’s benefits without its tradeoffs.
The human evidence is promising, but small. Direct cardiovascular and objective sleep data are limited. Long-term data are missing. The proprietary blends prevent a true dose-by-dose evaluation of most of the formula.
So this is not a recommendation for everyone, and it is not a replacement for sleep, food, stress capacity, or medical investigation.
It is a convenient option I enjoyed and would use again, particularly for travel or an occasional focused work block.
That may sound less exciting than calling it revolutionary. It is also more honest.
If that sounds like the role you want it to play, you can TRY MTE FOR 30 DAYS HERE. Start with one serving early in the day, avoid stacking it with other stimulants at first, and pay attention to your sleep, digestion, and blood-pressure response.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is MTE caffeine-free?
MTE does not contain caffeine, according to its current label. It contains paraxanthine, caffeine’s primary active metabolite.
Paraxanthine is still a stimulant-like methylxanthine that blocks adenosine receptors, so “caffeine-free” does not mean non-stimulating.
Is Paraxanthine Better Than Caffeine?
There is not enough evidence to say that paraxanthine is generally better than caffeine.
Several small trials show benefits for selected attention and reaction-time measures, but comparative, objective sleep, cardiovascular, and long-term safety data remain limited.
Does MTE Cause Jitters or Anxiety?
I did not experience noticeable jitters during a month of use, but individual responses vary.
Claims that paraxanthine reliably avoids caffeine-related anxiety or jitters are not yet supported by large, independent trials.
Will MTE Affect Sleep?
It may. Paraxanthine blocks adenosine receptors, which are involved in sleep pressure.
One small athlete study found more favorable subjective sleep outcomes with paraxanthine than caffeine, but objective and long-term sleep evidence is insufficient. Earlier use is the cautious choice.
How Much Paraxanthine Is in MTE?
The current label places paraxanthine inside a 380 mg Energy & Focus Blend with L-theanine and maca, without stating its individual amount.
This makes direct comparison with studies using 100 to 200 mg of isolated paraxanthine impossible.
Who Should Avoid MTE?
People who are pregnant or breastfeeding, have cardiovascular, liver, thyroid, autoimmune, anxiety, panic, or sleep conditions, or use potentially interacting medication should ask their clinician before use.
People sensitive to inulin may also experience digestive symptoms.
References
Arumugam, V., Vijayakumar, V., Balakrishnan, A., Bhandari, R. B., Boopalan, D., Ponnurangam, R., Thirupathy, V. S., & Kuppusamy, M. (2024). Effects of Withania somnifera on stress and anxiety: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Explore, 20(6), 103062. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.explore.2024.103062
Benowitz, N. L., Jacob, P., III, Mayan, H., & Denaro, C. (1995). Sympathomimetic effects of paraxanthine and caffeine in humans. Clinical Pharmacology & Therapeutics, 58(6), 684–691. https://doi.org/10.1016/0009-9236(95)90025-X
Bingol Diedhiou, A., Yildirim, U. C., Ozdenk, S., Erkan, D., Karakulak, I., Yildirim Tuncer, S., Turğut, M., Gundem, M. C., Bora, M. V., & Akca, F. (2026). Comparative effects of caffeine and paraxanthine on rowing performance and sleep quality: A randomized crossover study. Journal of the International Society of Sports Nutrition, 23(1), 2650339. https://doi.org/10.1080/15502783.2026.2650339
Cornelis, M. C., & Munafò, M. R. (2024). Genetic susceptibility to caffeine intake and metabolism: A systematic review. Nutrients, 16. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC11515775/
Ferré, S., Orrú, M., Guitart, X., Karcz-Kubicha, M., Hope, B. T., Justinova, Z., Goldberg, S. R., & Canela, E. I. (2013). Psychostimulant pharmacological profile of paraxanthine, the main metabolite of caffeine in humans. Neuropharmacology, 67, 476–484. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.neuropharm.2012.11.029
Gerolymos, C., Saddier, E., Boyer, L., & Fond, G. (2026). Cognitive and affective effects of L-theanine: A systematic review and meta-analysis of 31 randomized trials. Molecular Psychiatry. Advance online publication. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41380-026-03727-9
Hepsomali, P., Groeger, J. A., Nishihira, J., & Scholey, A. (2020). Effects of oral gamma-aminobutyric acid administration on stress and sleep in humans: A systematic review. Frontiers in Neuroscience, 14, 923. https://doi.org/10.3389/fnins.2020.00923
Mahmoudi, R., Mohammadi-Sartang, M., Servatyari, K., & Rafieipour, N. (2026). Effect of saffron on depression, anxiety and mood disorder: A GRADE-assessed systematic review and meta-analysis of 34 randomized controlled trials. Nutritional Neuroscience, 29(7), 816–837. https://doi.org/10.1080/1028415X.2025.2602153
Marx, W., Lane, M., Rocks, T., Ruusunen, A., Loughman, A., Lopresti, A., Marshall, S., Berk, M., Jacka, F., & Dean, O. M. (2019). Effect of saffron supplementation on symptoms of depression and anxiety: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Nutrition Reviews, 77(8), 557–571. https://doi.org/10.1093/nutrit/nuz023
Szlapinski, S. K., Charrette, A., Guthrie, N., & Hilmas, C. J. (2023). Paraxanthine safety and comparison to caffeine. Frontiers in Toxicology, 5, 1117729. https://doi.org/10.3389/ftox.2023.1117729
Thorn, C. F., Aklillu, E., McDonagh, E. M., Klein, T. E., & Altman, R. B. (2012). PharmGKB summary: Caffeine pathway. Pharmacogenetics and Genomics, 22(5), 389–395. https://doi.org/10.1097/FPC.0b013e3283505d5e
Xing, D., Yoo, C., Gonzalez, D., et al. (2021a). Acute paraxanthine ingestion improves cognition and short-term memory and helps sustain attention in a double-blind, placebo-controlled, crossover trial. Nutrients, 13(11), 3980. https://doi.org/10.3390/nu13113980
Xing, D., Yoo, C., Gonzalez, D., et al. (2021b). Dose-response of paraxanthine on cognitive function: A double-blind, placebo-controlled, crossover trial. Nutrients, 13(12), 4478. https://doi.org/10.3390/nu13124478
Yoo, C., Xing, D., Gonzalez, D. E., et al. (2024). Paraxanthine provides greater improvement in cognitive function than caffeine after performing a 10-km run. Journal of the International Society of Sports Nutrition, 21(1), 2352779. https://doi.org/10.1080/15502783.2024.2352779
This article is educational and is not individualized medical advice. Supplements can cause adverse effects and interact with medications.
