Researchers are studying creatine, a popular exercise supplement, to see if it could also help the brain. Creatine is a natural substance in the body that helps make energy for cells, and most people use it to improve their strength and sports performance. Some early experiments show that creatine might help people think better when tired, but the results are not sure.

Scientists became interested in creatine because the brain also needs a lot of energy, especially under stress. This year, one small experiment tested if creatine would help people stay awake all night. A few people who took creatine seemed to do better on thinking tasks than people who did not, but the test group was very small.

At present, there is not enough evidence to say that creatine improves memory or thinking for everyone. More and larger studies are needed before experts can recommend creatine for brain health. For now, creatine is only proven to help with exercise, not with brain function.