How does Matcha both stimulate and relax me? Is Matcha good for meditation?

Matcha has been used by the Zen Buddhist Monks for exactly these seemingly contradictory qualities. The timed release of energy by the caffeine and theophylline is at a rate that the body can deal with naturally (sustained 3-6 hours) while the powerful amino acid effect of the L-theanine relaxes and focusses. L-theanine encourages the transition from the beta brain waves of mental arousal to the alpha brain waves of relaxation. See more on L-theanine below.