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Ask HN: Do you use creatine as a brain supplement?

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Re: Ask HN: Do you use creatine as a brain supplement?

#31

Post by mrleinad »

Well, I didn't know that. Maybe I should expect a rise on my cog-skills now that I started taking it last week for exercise.

On a side note: As others pointed out, Modafinil is really what you want if you need a brain supplement. I've been taking it since November last year on a daily basis (100 milligrams, half a pill) and I can say that I've been able to make a lot of progress to actively stop procrastination. It's not magic, I still struggle with it a lot, but I've been able to manage it and build a routine of meditation and exercise that I hadn't been able to build before (I'm 35 y/o). There's a lot of work left to get to point where I can say I've actually won and I'm not a procrastinator anymore, but this year so far will be one of the most productive I've ever had.

Re: Ask HN: Do you use creatine as a brain supplement?

#34

Post by Bartweiss »

jccalhoun wrote: post #27

So it is supposed to be a brain supplement now? Back in the mid to late 90s I knew people that took it to try to get bigger muscles.

It definitely does that, and it's the reason creatine is cheap and common. But there's a long-standing question about whether creatine supplements are also psychoactive - the best data seems to suggest "yes if you're deficient, but if you're not then supplementing primarily affects your body".

Re: Ask HN: Do you use creatine as a brain supplement?

#35

Post by notyourwork »

For anyone who is considering creatine, you need to be sure to properly hydrate. I am not aware of any cognitive benefits, there are most certainly physical benefits to it. Regardless though, if you are consistently taking creatine hydration is extremely important.

Re: Ask HN: Do you use creatine as a brain supplement?

#36

Post by wmil »

mrleinad wrote: post #31

Well, I didn't know that. Maybe I should expect a rise on my cog-skills now that I started taking it last week for exercise. On a side note: As others pointed out, Modafinil is really what you want if you need a brain supplement. I've been taking it since November last year on a daily basis (100 milligrams, half a pill) and I can say that I've been able to make a lot of progress to actively stop procrastination. It's…

But Modafinil as a brain supplement isn't an FDA approved use and doctors generally won't prescribe it.

Creatine is available at any health food or supplement store, it's legal and widely available.

Re: Ask HN: Do you use creatine as a brain supplement?

#37

Post by penetrarthur »

NDizzle wrote: post #17
hannesfostie wrote: post #8

I've been using a daily dose of 5g of creatine for several months to help with climbing. Maybe I'm a non-responder, or maybe the effects are too subtle, but I haven't noticed anything. Definitely nothing in terms of brain functions or what not. It's cheap enough to continue to do it though, so I kind of keep at it.

Have you tried creatine loading? Take 20 to 25g per day for a week, then take 5g/day for a month. Take a few weeks off and do it again. That's what I've done in the past when I was taking creatine for a recovery enhancer.

There was a research that concluded that after a month, there is no difference in creatine amount in blood if you've been loading or just taking 5g daily.

Re: Ask HN: Do you use creatine as a brain supplement?

#38

Post by raverbashing »

maaark wrote: post #14
jmnicolas wrote: post #12

No creatine, but I'd like to profit of this occasion to tell people that suffer from allergies to try high doses (several grams 1) of vitamin C. This has been a life changer, I can now mow the lawn without symptoms where even with antihistamines it wasn't possible (last year my father had to do it for me). I'm sharing it here because I wish I knew about vitamin C 30 years ago. 1- buy it in bulk powder form this will…

It's possible to overdose on Vit C. Please be careful.

Not really

It might have annoying effects but you can't "overdose" (sure, getting a large dose is still not recommended)

You can overdose on some fat-soluble vitamins, notably Vitamin A. And by overdose I mean you can die from it

Re: Ask HN: Do you use creatine as a brain supplement?

#39

Post by penetrarthur »

hannesfostie wrote: post #8

I've been using a daily dose of 5g of creatine for several months to help with climbing. Maybe I'm a non-responder, or maybe the effects are too subtle, but I haven't noticed anything. Definitely nothing in terms of brain functions or what not. It's cheap enough to continue to do it though, so I kind of keep at it.

I've heard rumors that 25% of people have naturally higher amount of creatine and taking extra will not help

Re: Ask HN: Do you use creatine as a brain supplement?

#40

Post by mrleinad »

45h34jh53k4j wrote: post #26

My current nootropic stack is: * Pramiracetam 500mg * Alpha GPC 50% 600mg * Noopept 10mg * Agmatine Sulfate 500mg I am convinced that these chemicals work, improve mental ability, memory/recall and focus. Ive found myself able to handle more task simultaneously, even able to understand to multiple conflicting conversations. If you can handle the awful taste of Pramiracetam (its bad... probably the worst thing ive eve…

Thanks for this! Didn't know about Pramiracetam, and it seems I can get it online.

I'm already taking Modafinil, so I might experiment with taking Pramiracetam as well, see if I can get an extra boost.

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