Does creatine make you smarter?
Points and comments are a snapshot, not live.
A evidence review asks whether creatine supplementation improves cognitive function, concluding maybe a little.
The article reviews creatine's role as a nutrient that increases muscle strength by 5-15% through enhanced short-term energy storage. It explains the ATP-phosphocreatine system and notes that creatine levels can be raised by about 17% with supplementation. The brain uses creatine similarly but with lower phosphocreatine-to-ATP ratios. Studies show brain creatine levels increase 3-10% with supplementation, but evidence for cognitive benefits is weak and inconclusive. The author ultimately says "I don't know. Maybe a little."
What commenters are saying
Commenters split: some argue the null result and low prior for supplements mean creatine likely does nothing for cognition, citing p-hacking and publication bias. Others note creatine is well-studied and safe, and the tentative conclusion is fair for an informal piece. One top comment critiques that without clear, strong evidence, the effect should be assumed nonexistent. Practical advice: no cycling needed, just 3-5g daily.