Creatine
Reddit take
AI summary of the Reddit excerpts below — not a quote
Creatine is highly regarded on Reddit as a dual-purpose supplement for physical performance and cognitive enhancement. While its role in muscle growth and gym recovery is well-established, many users now highlight its benefits for mental focus, ADHD management, and mitigating the effects of sleep deprivation. However, the higher doses often recommended for cognitive benefits are frequently linked to significant gastrointestinal distress.
Pros
- Noticeable increases in physical strength and muscle growth
- Enhanced cognitive performance, including improved focus and reduced brain fog
- Potential to negate cognitive deficiencies caused by sleep deprivation at higher doses
- Reported improvements in mood and ADHD-related symptoms
Cons
- Common gastrointestinal issues including diarrhea, bloating, and nausea
- High doses (15g+) can lead to severe digestive upset or vomiting
- Occasional reports of insomnia or sleep disruption
- Isolated mentions of slight hair thinning upon starting use
Caveats
- Cognitive benefits are often reported at much higher doses (10g-30g) than standard muscle-building doses (3g-5g)
- Severe side effects like 'shitting your pants' are specifically associated with large, unspaced doses
- Some users report no cognitive changes despite seeing physical gains
Best for
- Gym-goers and athletes looking for a reliable performance boost
- Individuals seeking non-stimulant options to help with focus or ADHD
- People looking to maintain mental clarity during periods of low sleep
Avoid if
- You have a highly sensitive digestive system
- You are prone to insomnia or sleep disturbances
- You are concerned about potential hair thinning, even if the evidence is anecdotal
This summary uses balanced time weighting with about a 6-month half-life. The evidence is older, with a median source age of approximately 312 days, which is acceptable for a stable supplement like creatine but suggests users should verify if newer formulations or protocols have emerged.
Sentiment
82 positive (69%) · 11 mixed (9%) · 25 negative (21%)
Trust + time weighted score: +47% · raw score 48%
What redditors said (10 of 118)
I tried an extra large dose once too, had some of the worst shits of my life. 4/10 wouldn’t recommend.
supplements: silica, n-acetyl glucosamine, collagen peptides, creatine, polyphenols like baicalin, citrus bioflavonoids (rutin, hesperidin, nobiletin, etc)
So now I take daily: - creatine
For supplements and meds: I take Ritalin for my ADHD. I’m also taking Magnesium, Zinc, Omega 3, Myo-inositol & D-chiro (in the exact right ratio for skin health), and Creatine because I’ve been hitting the gym.
I’m also taking Magnesium, Zinc, Omega 3, Myo-inositol & D-chiro (in the exact right ratio for skin health), and Creatine because I’ve been hitting the gym.
Creatine for probably about 4 years I’ve been wondering if that’s what’s been causing it but haven’t seen anything online about it being related.
I sometimes take up to 20g and have no real issues
I love how I feel on creatine but more than 1.5 mg and my sleep is really bad.
Parent context: I get terrible insomnia from it Reply: Same, if I take it past the morning hours. So many people say this cannot be an effect which I think is funny bc it is a consistent effect for me when I take it past 11 AM.
I'd also be taking Creatine ...i've had zero side effects since starting in a bit over a month ago and days like yesterday when I came into work with 3 hours of sleep a 3x dose did appear to keep me cognitively in order. I'm sold on the stuff.
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