Scientists say creatine may help fight depression
News
Creatine could have untapped potential as a depression treatment, but scientists say the evidence is promising, not yet persuasive.
– Creatine is best known as a muscle-building supplement, but scientists are now investigating whether it could also help treat depression by boosting the brain’s energy supply. A new review examined five randomized clinical trials involving 238 participants and found mixed results. Two studies, both involving women with major depressive disorder, reported that adding creatine to standard treatment improved symptoms, while three others found no meaningful benefit.
Creatine is one of the world’s most popular sports supplements, widely used to improve strength and muscle performance. Now, researchers are exploring whether it could have benefits far beyond the gym. A new systematic review published in Brain Medicine examined whether creatine might help relieve depression by supporting the brain’s energy needs.
Details
The findings offer cautious optimism, but they also highlight how much remains unknown. While some clinical trials reported meaningful improvements in depression symptoms, others found no benefit at all, leaving scientists with an intriguing question rather than a clear answer.
Reviewing the Clinical Evidence
Instead of conducting a new experiment, researchers led by Bassam Jeryous Fares of the University of Ottawa analyzed existing research. After reviewing the available literature, they identified six published reports covering five randomized controlled trials, in which participants received either creatine or a placebo without knowing which treatment they were taking.
Analysis
The studies were carried out in South Korea, the United States, Brazil, Israel, and India. Together, they included 238 participants at the start of the trials, with 126 receiving creatine and 112 receiving placebo. Participants averaged 36 years of age, and most were women. Two of the studies enrolled only women.
Four trials focused on people with major depressive disorder, while one involved participants with bipolar disorder who were experiencing a depressive episode. Because the studies differed substantially in their design and methods, the researchers did not combine the data into a single statistical analysis. Instead, they evaluated each study individually.
Mixed Results Across Depression Studies
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