Creatine is one of the most widely used dietary supplements in the fitness world. The substance occurs naturally in the body and helps muscles produce energy during intense exercise.
In recent years, researchers have begun examining whether creatine can also affect the brain.
According to Medical News Today, several studies indicate that creatine may reduce inflammation and oxidative stress in the body. Both factors can influence brain health.
Research also suggests that creatine may play a role in brain development and protection against injury.
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For this reason, researchers are investigating the substance’s effects in several different contexts.
Sleep deprivation experiments
A study published in the journal Scientific Reports took a closer look at how creatine affects people who are sleep-deprived.
Fifteen people participated in the experiment. They received either creatine or a placebo at 6 p.m.
Their reaction time, memory, and ability to process information were then tested several times during the night. The measurements continued until 9 a.m. the following morning.
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The results showed that participants who received creatine generally processed information faster than the group that received a placebo.
Researchers remain cautious
The researchers behind the study believe the effect may be linked to the brain’s energy needs.
When people lack sleep, brain cells become more strained and require additional energy.
Creatine helps the body produce phosphocreatine, which functions as an energy reserve in cells. This may potentially help the brain in demanding situations.
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However, the researchers emphasize that the study is small.
Participants were also given a very high dose of 35 grams of creatine, which is about ten times more than the normally recommended amount of three to five grams.
For that reason, the researchers are planning new studies using lower doses to examine the effect more closely.
Sources: LADbible, Medical News Today, Scientific Reports, and Scientific Reports.
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