Creatine

Creatine
Chemical Nomenclature
Common names	Creatine, N-Carbamimidoyl-N-methylglycine, Methylguanidoacetic acid
Systematic name	2-[Carbamimidoyl(methyl)amino]acetic acid
Routes of Administration
WARNING: Always start with lower doses due to differences between individual body weight, tolerance, metabolism, and personal sensitivity. See responsible use section. ⇣ Oral Dosage Threshold 0.25 g Light 1 - 5 g Common 5 - 10 g Strong 10 - 20 g Heavy 20 g + Duration Total 30 - 36 hours Onset 30 - 90 minutes DISCLAIMER: PW's dosage information is gathered from users and resources for educational purposes only. It is not a recommendation and should be verified with other sources for accuracy.
Interactions

Summary sheet: Creatine

Creatine (and it's derivatives hydrochloride, malate, nitrate, etc) is a nitrogenous organic acid with nootropic effects that occurs naturally within the body of vertebrates and in some foods such as meat, eggs, and fish. It was identified in 1832 when Michel Eugène Chevreul isolated it from the basified water-extract of skeletal muscle. He later named the crystallized precipitate after the Greek word for meat, κρέας (kreas). Early analysis showed that human blood is approximately 1% creatine.

Within the body, creatine helps to supply energy to all cells in the body, primarily muscle. When taken as a supplement within humans, this compound has cognitive enhancing, neuroprotective, cardioprotective and performance enhancing effects which are particularly present during strenuous physical exercise. It is often used by athletes and bodybuilders to increase both power output and lean mass.

Chemistry

This chemistry section is incomplete. You can help by adding to it.

Synthetic creatine is usually made from sarcosine (or its salts) and cyanamide which are combined in a reactor with catalyst compounds. The reactor is heated and pressurized, causing creatine crystals to form. The crystalline creatine is then purified by centrifuge and vacuum dried. The dried creatine compound is milled into a fine powder for improved bioavailability. Milling techniques differ, resulting in final products of varying solubility and bioavailability. For instance, creatine compounds milled to 200 mesh are referred to as micronized.

Pharmacology

Creatine is an endogenous molecule that stores high-energy phosphate groups in the form of phosphocreatine (creatine phosphate). During periods of stress or strenuous exercise, phosphocreatine releases energy to aid cellular function. This is what causes strength increases after creatine supplementation, but this action can also aid the brain, bones, muscles, and liver. Most of the benefits of creatine are provided through this mechanism.

Subjective effects

The effects listed below are based upon the subjective effects index and personal experiences of PsychonautWiki contributors. The listed effects will rarely (if ever) occur all at once, but heavier dosages will increase the chances and are more likely to induce a full range of effects.

In comparison to the effects of other nootropics such as noopept, this compound can be described as conferring both physical stimulation and cognitive stimulation.

Sensory effects

• Perception of increased weight - Creatine may have a large effect on increasing overall weight due to water retention. Due to this, creatine, rather than altering perception, manifests itself in a physical bodily change. However, the degree of increase is dosage-dependent.
• Appetite enhancement
• Bodily control enhancement
• Stamina enhancement
• Tactile enhancement

Physical effects

• Stimulation - The stimulation which Creatine presents can be considered as subtle, yet persistent and energetic comparable to that of caffeine, yet even less forced in nature.
• Headaches
• Muscle spasms
• Stomach cramps
• Dehydration
• Diarrhea

Cognitive effect

• Wakefulness
• Rejuvenation
• Anxiety suppression
• Thought connectivity
• Thought organization
• Focus enhancement
• Analysis enhancement
• Motivation enhancement
• Memory enhancement
• Irritability

Toxicity and harm potential

There are no clinically significant side-effects of creatine supplementation acutely. Numerous trials have been conducted in humans with varying dosages, and the side-effects have been limited to gastrointestinal distress (from too much creatine consumption at once) and cramping (from insufficient hydration).

Studies that use a dosage range typical of creatine supplementation (in the range of 5g a day following an acute loading period) note increases to total body water of 6.2% (3.74lbs) over 9 weeks, 1.1kg over 42 days, . This effect may be responsible for creatine's capability to increase perceived body weight.

Regardless, it is strongly recommended that one be familiar with harm reduction practices when using Creatine.

Tolerance and addiction potential

Creatine is not habit-forming with a low potential for abuse. It does not seem to be capable of causing psychological or physiological dependence among users.

Tolerance to the effects of creatine are not built almost immediately after ingestion as with most other psychoactive substances. There are many anecdotal reports of people ingesting this substance for prolonged periods of time with no immediate tolerance build up.

Legal issues

This legality section is a stub. As such, it may contain incomplete or wrong information. You can help by expanding it.

Creatine is freely available to possess and distribute and is approved in most countries as a dietary supplement.

See also

• Responsible use
• Noopept
• Nootropic
• Stimulant
• Modafinil
• Pramiracetam

External links

• Creatine (Wikipedia)
• Creatine (Examine)
• Creatine (Medlineplus)