Creatine helps brain function better

This 8-week trial in 36 menopausal women tested creatine supplementation (9 per group across 4 groups: placebo, low-dose, medium-dose, and combination of two creatine forms). Out of over 60 measurements across cognitive tests, symptoms, and biomarkers, only 2-3 showed improvement (reaction time, mood swings) with small changes in the medium-dose group. The study did not correct for testing 60+ outcomes. Many within-group 'significant' changes showed no difference from placebo in between-group comparisons, suggesting unreliable findings due to chance. Most cognitive measures showed no change. The very small sample size and significant conflicts of interest(lead author has financial ties to creatine companies and study was funded by supplement supplier) limit reliability.

This meta-analysis of 8 trials (225 people) found creatine supplementation showed small memory improvements overall, but only older adults (66-76 years) benefited—and that's based on just 2 small studies (57 participants). Young adults showed no benefit. Major flaws include high study bias (2 main studies with small positive effect), inconsistent results between studies, and different memory tests combined together. The claim says creatine helps "brain function" but only memory was tested. Two authors have conflicts of interest: one served as scientific advisor for a creatine company, and another conducted industry-sponsored creatine research, received creatine donations for studies, received travel support from creatine industry, and serves on the Scientific Advisory Board for AlzChem (a creatine manufacturer).

This 6-week study of 66 healthy adults (20 to 60 years old) found that creatine combined with GAA slightly improved reaction speed on one memory test but showed no improvement in working memory or attention. Creatine alone had minimal effect, and results were inconsistent across different cognitive tasks.

Major concerns include lack of statistical correction for covariates (age, sex), contradictory findings, and conflict of interest (supplement manufacturer provided products). Evidence is insufficient to support broad claims that creatine improves brain function.