Creatine Benefits for Epilepsy

I share here a summary of benefits of creatine for epilepsy I learned through some research on the internet:
Benefits of Creatine for Epilepsy
Creatine has been studied for its potential benefits in managing epilepsy, particularly in relation to seizure control and brain health. Here are some key points regarding its effects:
Anticonvulsant Properties: Research indicates that creatine may possess anticonvulsant properties. For instance, studies have shown that acute administration of creatine can improve mitochondrial function and protect against seizures induced by certain chemicals, suggesting a protective role in seizure activity.
Enhanced Energy Production: Creatine supplementation can increase the phosphocreatine:creatine energy-store ratio in the brain. This enhancement in energy production may improve the efficacy of dietary interventions, such as the ketogenic diet, which is often used in managing drug-resistant epilepsy in children

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Neuroprotective Effects: Creatine has been shown to protect against neurotoxicity in certain models, which may be beneficial for individuals with epilepsy. By increasing energy availability in neurons, creatine could help mitigate some of the neurodegenerative processes associated with chronic seizure activity.
Clinical Observations: Anecdotal evidence from individuals with epilepsy suggests that creatine may help in preventing seizures. Some users have reported positive effects when combining creatine with their existing treatment regimens.

I take Creatine every day. Hasn't seemed to help. My neurogist okayed it.

Experience with peptide protocol, tailored to your situation?

Thank you @cathy5161 for sharing your experience with taking creatine. Could you share the creatine dosage you are currently taking?
The peptide protocol is something new to me. I just read that it can improve cognitive function. Have you been following this protocol? If yes, could you share more information with us?
Thank you!
Chris (@santosha)

Sure. 5 g (one scoop) in powder form. Put in coffee - tasteless. I'd like to increase amount but will wait for this week's IVIG infusions to be over.

As far as peptides, I've been working with an "expert" in California. He has developed a protocol specific to my situation. Mine is complex, given both the epilepsy and a rare autoimmune disease involving GAD65. Actually came to Mayo in August for 2 weeks for a second opinion on the GAD65.

Have not started peptides yet. Intend to. Research strongly suggests that they can help in mutiple ways. Neurologist okayed it.

Wish I could find a knowlegeable gatekeeper for all the experimental western meds for GAD65, my 3 autoimmune diseases, supplements, non-Western protocols. Integrating eastern and western approaches. Not sure one exists. Still looking. Will be incredibly expensive since insurance won't cover.

Cognitive decline and brain damage is my biggest concern.
Any comments welcome!!!

Hi @cathy5161
Thank you! I have been researching more about creatine supplementation recently. The relationship between creatine and epilepsy is not yet fully understood and requires further investigation.
In my mother's last neurology appointment (she has Alzheimer's), her neurologist told us that creatine might be beneficial for preventing Alzheimer's. She recommended I increase my dosage from 1 scoop (3 g) to 2 scoops a day (6 g). I have been following this new regimen for about three weeks, not noticing any cognitive improvement yet. Perhaps it is too early to observe measurable effects. I plan to discuss this supplementation with my epileptologist during my upcoming appointment.
I initially struggled with creatine's poor solubility in water. However, a friend who also takes creatine for other purposes suggested mixing it into yogurt instead, which has proven much more effective. It is worth trying!
Chris (@santosha)

@cathy5161 @santosha I would strongly caution anyone considering creatine supplementation for epilepsy. If possible, I’d recommend discussing it with a specialist — ideally a Mayo Clinic neurologist. While creatine deficiency syndromes (CDS) are only tangentially linked to epilepsy, that connection alone is enough to make me careful about introducing anything that could potentially affect seizure thresholds or brain chemistry.

Over the years, I’ve had neurologists recommend everything from GABA supplements to CBD and even Ketamine. However, my experience at Mayo was dramatically different. Within a short time, they pared everything down to only the antiseizure drugs (ASDs) they deemed essential — and eliminated everything else.

It was eye-opening. Whereas many other neurologists seemed eager to recommend pills or supplements — often creating more problems than they solved — the Mayo approach was focused, disciplined, and grounded in evidence.

I’ve realized since that, as much as I want my epilepsy to be “fixed,” chasing solutions through ancillary treatments had become a crutch. It gave me the illusion that I could somehow force improvement, rather than working with what is and striving to live better from that foundation.

Here is some information from a preclinical study of creatine as an anticonvulsant published in Frontiers of Neuroscience journal in 2023:

- Potential role of creatine as an anticonvulsant agent: evidence from preclinical studies
https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/neuroscience/articles/10.3389/fnins.2023.1201971/full
A key couple of sentences in the abstract for this publication are:

-Currently, limited evidence mainly from preclinical animal studies suggest anticonvulsant properties of creatine; however, the exact mechanism remain to be elucidated. Future work should involve larger clinical trials of creatine used as an add-on therapy, followed by large clinical trials of creatine as monotherapy.

Thank you for your comments on creatine.

any thoughts on peptides, as asked in my inquiry above/ or on eastern meds? the gad 65 autoimmune piece has everyone scratching their heads....including Mayo.