The Dangers of Creatine – Side Effects and Risks to Know.

The Journal of Studies on Alcohol and Drugs released a report yesterday citing that use of supplements such as creatine had a direct correlation to alcohol and drug abuse. The study referenced some big myths that proponents and opponents of creatine have been arguing over for years:

Until now, it had been unclear whether college athletes who use performance enhancers might have any higher risk of misusing other substances. On one hand, Pandina explained, many athletes might avoid habits that could threaten their performance on the field. On the other, athletes drawn to performance-enhancing substances might have certain traits — such as a propensity toward “sensation seeking” — that make the misuse of alcohol or other drugs more likely.

The numbers speak for themselves.

As a group, athletes who used performance-enhancing substances reported higher rates of drug and alcohol use. SEVENTY PERCENT said they had used marijuana and one third admitted to cocaine use, versus 22 percent and 3 percent of athletes who did not use performance enhancers. They also had higher rates of smoking, binge drinking and prescription-drug misuse.

You can read the full press release here.