PlainPill

Creatine Monohydrate

People mainly take Creatine Monohydrate for performance, energy, focus. Based on 139 first-hand reports and 23 meta-analyses & systematic reviews in the medical literature. Ranked #6 of 1,974 overall.

66
User score
Mostly positive
47% positive26% mixed0% negative27% unclear

Of reports that state an outcome, 64% are positive.

Clinical research
AStrong research base
23
meta-analyses
182
RCTs
620
papers

What Creatine Monohydrate does, according to users

Of the people who reported each effect, the share who said it got better.

What the research says

Systematic reviews and meta-analyses from PubMed, with their published conclusions.

AStrong research base

3+ meta-analyses or systematic reviews and 10+ randomized controlled trials in humans. The grade measures how much human research exists — read the conclusions below for what it found.

Front Nutr · 2024 · Meta-analysis / systematic review
The effects of creatine supplementation on cognitive function in adults: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Conclusion: Current evidence suggests that creatine monohydrate supplementation may confer beneficial effects on cognitive function in adults, particularly in the domains of memory, attention time, and information processing speed. Larger robust clinical trials are warranted to further validate these findings. Furthermore, future research should investigate the influence of different populations and intervention durations on the effects of creatine monohydrate supplementation, as well as elucidate the precise mechanisms underlying its potential cognitive-enhancing properties.

PubMed 39070254 ↗
Nutrients · 2020 · Meta-analysis / systematic review
Risk of Adverse Outcomes in Females Taking Oral Creatine Monohydrate: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Conclusion: Nor does the use of creatine supplementation increase the risk of total adverse outcomes, weight gain or renal and hepatic complications in females. However, all future studies of creatine supplementation in females should consider surveillance and comprehensive reporting of adverse outcomes to better inform participants and health professionals involved in future trials.

PubMed 32549301 ↗

Dosage people report

As stated by users — not a recommendation. Follow the label or your doctor.

5 gdaily
1 tspas reported
4 gdaily
dailyas reported
3.41 gdaily
5-10 gdaily

Reported side effects

How often each side effect came up across all reports.

insomnia ×16stomach issues ×14hair loss ×10water retention ×6anxiety ×5diarrhea ×3dehydration ×2depression ×2

What users say

Verbatim quotes, shortened only — each links to the original discussion.

“Creatine and Protein powder (if you dont get sufficient amounts with your diet) are useful.”
Source discussion ↗
“Creatine Monohydrate (~5g a day)”
Source discussion ↗
“Creatine monohydrate 1 tsp”
Source discussion ↗
“I've been taking 3,41 g creatine monohydrate (1 scoop) for a while now...I notice a difference, mainly that I have more energy during training sessions.”
Source discussion ↗
“I've been using creative for literally 20 years...5-10 grams is plenty and all you need...5 grams was just as effective as 30 grams.”
Source discussion ↗
Top discussions (5)

Other options for performance

User data from public discussions; research from PubMed. Information only, not medical advice — talk to a doctor before starting, stopping or combining anything. Data updated October 2, 2026. How we rate