Creatine doesn’t typically cause insomnia. Some studies actually suggest creatine may help resolve certain sleep difficulties. A
The researchers found that participants who met their recommended creatine intake and had appropriate levels had a lower risk of experiencing mild sleep disturbances than participants who had insufficient or reduced creatine levels.
However, this study only examined dietary creatine that a person would obtain from consuming certain foods, not from supplementation.
There’s currently no research linking creatine specifically or creatine supplementation with insomnia. There have been reports of people experiencing sleep difficulties after starting to take creatinine, but this could be due to increased energy levels generally. Creatine supplementation
Another 2019 study indicated that creatine supplementation reduced the need for sleep in rats. Researchers suggested that creatine supplementation may be a useful treatment for sleep disorders, although more research is necessary to confirm these findings.
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The researchers concluded that creatine supplementation increased sleep duration on resistance training days compared to the placebo group, which wasn’t given creatine. These studies are promising for the use of creatine as a treatment for mild sleep difficulties, but creatine is not currently an approved treatment for this purpose.
Treatments for insomnia can include a variety of lifestyle modifications and medications, or a combination of both. Examples include:
- cognitive behavioral treatment (CBT) for insomnia
- relaxation techniques
- sleep hygiene
- benzodiazepines
- melatonin agonists
- orexin receptor agonists
- over-the-counter (OTC) medications such as melatonin supplements
Reach out to a doctor or healthcare professional if you’re experiencing any sleep difficulties or have any more questions about how creatine could affect your sleep.