The Study
Dose–Response of Creatine Supplementation on Cognitive Function in Healthy Young Adults
This study gave some people creatine pills and others fake pills, then tested their brain power and brain activity. It found no clear difference, so we can't say creatine helps or hurts thinking in young, healthy people. But because only 30 people were tested, we can't be 100% sure — maybe it helps a little, but we didn't see it.
Analysis score
Maximum 90 for a randomized controlled trial.
Where the score came from
Scientists gave young adults creatine pills for six weeks to see if it helped them think faster or remember better, like a brain energy boost.
Where does this study sit?
Reviews of RCTs (Meta-analyses)
Max 100Randomized Trials
Max 90Reviews of Cohort Studies
Max 85Cohort Studies
Max 72Reviews of Case-Control Studies
Max 63Case-Control Studies
Max 58Cross-Sectional & Case Series
Max 50Expert Opinion
Max 553 / 100
Quality score
Participants are randomly assigned to treatment or control groups, minimizing bias. The gold standard for testing whether an intervention causes an effect.
Key takeaways
Summary
Based on the study abstract and findings.
- 1No, the results don't mean creatine helps healthy young adults think better — even though it might make muscles stronger, it doesn't seem to boost brain power in this group.
- 2People who took 10 or 20 grams of creatine daily didn't get better at memory, focus, or quick thinking tests.
- 3One small hint: those taking 10g showed slightly less brain blood flow during a fast-thinking task, but it wasn't strong enough to count as proof.
Score breakdown, methodology, conflicts of interest, evidence analysis & raw study data
Publication
Journal
Brain Sciences
Year
2023
Authors
Terence Moriarty, Kelsey Bourbeau, Katie Dorman, Lance Runyon, Noah Glaser, J. Brandt, Mallory Hoodjer, Scott C. Forbes, D. Candow
Related Content
Claims (8)
Taking creatine supplements may enhance thinking and memory in older people or those who are sleep-deprived or have cognitive difficulties, but it does not noticeably change thinking skills in healthy young adults.
Taking creatine supplements improves cognitive performance in healthy adults.
Taking creatine supplements at 10 or 20 grams per day for six weeks does not improve how quickly healthy young adults process information, remember events, or make decisions.
In healthy young adults, taking 10 grams of creatine daily for six weeks was linked to a small, non-significant decrease in oxygen levels in the prefrontal cortex during tasks requiring quick thinking, which may indicate a change in how the brain uses energy.
Taking creatine supplements at 10 or 20 grams per day for six weeks does not change the level of oxygen in the prefrontal cortex of healthy young adults when they perform memory or decision-making tasks.
Taking creatine supplements at 10–20 grams per day for six weeks does not lead to measurable changes in body fat, muscle mass, how much people move, or how many calories they consume.
Not medical advice. For informational purposes only. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional before making health decisions.