# Creatine monohydrate **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [February 25, 2006, 8:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/creatine-monohydrate/346092 "2006-02-25T20:10:50Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 5\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![zp1005](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/3ab097/32.png) [@zp1005](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/zp1005)\ **Post date:** [February 25, 2006, 8:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/creatine-monohydrate/346092/1 "2006-02-25T20:10:50Z")
Well, I have researched this as much as I could, and I haven’t found any sort of study saying it is bad for you. I know there is anecdotal evidence that says it may be, but there is anecdotal evidence that says anything is bad for you. I have been trying to gain weight, so I started taking creatine and protein about 2 weeks ago, and I have gained close to 10 lbs. So as long as no studies come out showing that it is bad for you, I think I will keep taking it for a while. So I guess what I am asking is, are there any studies that show it is bad for you if you use as directed, or less than as directed? ---
**Author:** ![Qadgop\_the\_Mercotan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/qadgop_the_mercotan/32/83_2.png) [@Qadgop\_the\_Mercotan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Qadgop_the_Mercotan)\ **Post date:** [February 25, 2006, 8:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/creatine-monohydrate/346092/2 "2006-02-25T20:21:20Z")
> [@](#): > > **Some have claimed that this weight gain, typically 0.5 to 1.6 kilograms occurring in the first few days to first two weeks of creatine supplementation, is evidence of increased muscle mass. Most researchers, however, believe that this weight gain is accounted for by creatine-induced water retention**. The longer-term studies needed to confirm or refute claims that chronic creatine supplementation can result in greater muscle mass have not been conducted. > > Another caveat offered by several researchers is that almost all of the positive creatine effects so far noted have been achieved in laboratory tests of elite athletes and were observed only in the sort of maximal intermittent exercise that non-athletes can rarely achieve. No benefit for any aerobic activity has been demonstrated. > > **In addition, safety data are lacking and are urgently needed, especially for long-term use of creatine and for use among the pediatric population (including adolescents) and among those in poor health. There are some reports that long-term use of creatine may be nephrotoxic. This needs further investigation before long-term creatine supplementation can be recommended under any circumstance.** From: [http://www.pdrhealth.com/drug\_info/nmdrugprofiles/nutsupdrugs/cre\_0086.shtml](http://www.pdrhealth.com/drug_info/nmdrugprofiles/nutsupdrugs/cre_0086.shtml) Basically you’re in very very poorly explored territory. The answers aren’t there yet. Your use of this stuff on a chronic basis may help answer those questions. Hopefully answers gleaned from your use won’t be of the “stay away from that stuff, look what it did to **zp1005**!” variety, but they may be. ---
**Author:** ![Khadaji](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/9e8a1a/32.png) [@Khadaji](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Khadaji)\ **Post date:** [February 25, 2006, 8:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/creatine-monohydrate/346092/3 "2006-02-25T20:44:46Z")
Since Qadgop is much better qualified than I to answer your question, I will instead offer my personal experience with it. I tried it about two years ago. After taking it as directed for a week, I began having muscle cramps - bad ones. It was very tough to do my work outs. I decided there wasn’t enough ROI and stopped taking it. ---
**Author:** ![HMS\_Irruncible](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/hms_irruncible/32/7394_2.png) [@HMS\_Irruncible](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/HMS_Irruncible)\ **Post date:** [February 26, 2006, 3:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/creatine-monohydrate/346092/4 "2006-02-26T03:01:50Z")
I took the creatine about 10 years ago for about 3 months and ended up getting bigger than I ever had in my life. However, I freely admit there is some bias in supplementing, in that anyone who is willing to take creatine 5 times a day is probably putting in some longer and more conscientious gym time too. That may have happened in my situation. ---
**Author:** ![Burrido](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/3be4f8/32.png) [@Burrido](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Burrido)\ **Post date:** [February 26, 2006, 3:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/creatine-monohydrate/346092/5 "2006-02-26T03:34:58Z")
Another anecdote here. I gained about 20 lbs on my flat bench and about 40 on my squat on it. I ultimately decided against it because of price. I had no adverse effects while on it.